Will Jacks Spins England to Win Over Sri Lanka With Maiden Five-For

England defeated Sri Lanka by 89 runs in the first ODI at Chester-le-Street, taking a 1–0 lead in the three-match series behind a standout all-round performance from Will Jacks.

1st Innings: England 265 all out (48.1 overs)

Solid Top Order Foundation: After opting to bat, England were built around a fluent 67 from captain Harry Brook and 44 from Joe Root.  

Sri Lanka Stifle the Middle: Debutant leg-spinner Sachindu Colombage (3/44) led Sri Lanka’s fightback, bowl-ing Joe Root and trapping Jos Buttler (31) lbw as England slid from 182/3 to 199/6. Jacks' Late Cameo: Lower-order hitter Will Jacks struck an unbeaten 46 off 47 balls, including four consecutive boundaries off Dushmantha Chameera, pushing England to a total of 265.  

2nd Innings: Sri Lanka 176 all out (37 overs)

Top-Order Stumble: Chasing 266, Sri Lanka got off to a steady start before early wickets from Josh Tongue and Jamie Overton reduced them to 84/3. Jacks Rips Through Spin-Sensitive Lineup: Off-spinner Will Jacks took complete control, trapping both Charith Asalanka and Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis (42) lbw with tight arm balls.  

Three-Wicket Final Over: Dunith Wellalage offered late resistance with a 36-ball 45. However, Jacks wrapped up the match in the 37th over by claiming three wickets—Wellalage, Asitha Fernando, and Dilshan Madushanka—to finish with career-best figures of 5/22.  

Brief Scorecard

England: 265 all out in 48.1 overs (Harry Brook 67, Will Jacks 46; Sachindu Colombage 3/44) | Sri Lanka: 176 all out in 37 overs (Dunith Wellalage 45, Kusal Mendis 42; Will Jacks 5/22) | Result: England won by 89 runs.