England Clinch Series Despite Pawan Rathnayake’s Heroic Debut Century
By Lions Roar Aotearoa Sports Desk
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA (Wednesday, January 28, 2026) — England secured a hard-fought 2-1 ODI series victory against Sri Lanka last night at the R. Premadasa Stadium, surviving a sensational maiden international century from young Sri Lankan star Pawan Rathnayake.
While England’s powerhouse batting lineup ultimately secured a 53-run victory, the talk of the cricketing world today is the emergence of 23-year-old Rathnayake, whose valiant innings drew high praise from modern great Joe Root.
🏏 England’s Batting Masterclass
Winning the toss and electing to bat, England posted a formidable total of 357/3 in their allotted 50 overs, powered by two brilliant centuries.
- Harry Brook: Provided the fireworks with a blistering 136 off just 66 balls*, tearing through the Sri Lankan attack in the latter half of the innings.
- Joe Root: Anchored the innings with a clinical 111, proving once again why he remains the backbone of the English side and earning the Player of the Series award.
🌟 The Rise of Pawan Rathnayake
Chasing 358, Sri Lanka’s innings faltered early, losing two quick wickets. However, young Pawan Rathnayake entered the fray and turned the match into a spectacle of resilience.
- The Century: In his debut international series, Rathnayake scored 121 off 115 balls, holding the innings together until the final wicket fell.
- The Stand: Despite the loss, Rathnayake’s ability to rotate the strike and clear the boundary with ease kept the 30,000-strong crowd on their feet.
- Final Score: Sri Lanka was eventually bowled out for 302 in 46.4 overs.
💬 “A Special Future”: Joe Root’s Verdict
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Player of the Series Joe Root was quick to deflect the spotlight toward the young Sri Lankan.
“He [Rathnayake] has a very bright future ahead of him. He rotates the strike exceptionally well and has a fantastic range of boundaries. I’ll certainly be keeping a close eye on his progress. It was a truly brilliant innings under pressure.”
📊 Match Summary: 3rd ODI at R. Premadasa
| Team | Score | Top Performers |
| England | 357/3 (50.0 ov) | Harry Brook (136*), Joe Root (111) |
| Sri Lanka | 302 (46.4 ov) | Pawan Rathnayake (121) |
| Result | England won by 53 runs | Series: England wins 2-1 |
