Chris Woakes set up a comfortable five-wicket win finished by Joe Root as England again proved too strong for Sri Lanka in the opening one-day international at the Riverside on Tuesday to go 1-0 up in a three-match series. Woakes, in only his third international in over nine months, finished with excellent figures of 4-18 from his full 10 overs as 50-over world champions England dismissed Sri Lanka for a meagre 185 at Durham's headquarters. Sri Lanka captain Kusal Perera made a valuable 73 for a Sri Lanka side featuring three debutants. But Sri Lanka, defending such a low total, needed every chance to go to hand if they were to achieve an improbable victory. Brief scoresSri Lanka 185, 42.3 overs (K Perera 73, W Hasaranga 54; C Woakes 4-18, D Willey 3-44)England 189-5, 34.5 overs (J Root 79 no; D Chameera 3-50)Result: England won by five wicketsPlayer of the match: Chris Woakes (ENG)Series: England lead three-match series 1-0

Source: News 24 June 29, 2021 16:41 UTC