Jacks stars as England beat Sri Lanka by 89 runs

Will Jacks produced a match-winning all-round display as England beat Sri Lanka by 89 runs in the first one-day international at the Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street, on September 22, 2026, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Jacks scored 46 not out to help England reach 265 after captain Harry Brook won the toss and chose to bat, then returned career-best ODI figures of 5 for 22 to bowl Sri Lanka out for 176. His haul is the second-best by an England spinner in ODIs and the first five-wicket haul by an England spinner against Sri Lanka since Vic Marks in 1983. He wrapped up the innings by taking three wickets in four balls. Brook top-scored with 67 off 69 balls, while Joe Root made 44 before falling to debutant leg-spinner Sachindu Colombage, who finished with 3 for 44. Asitha Fernando also claimed 3 for 53 for Sri Lanka. England slipped from 175 for three to 211 for seven before Jacks' late surge lifted the total. The hosts did not hit a single six. Sri Lanka reached 84 for two in reply but lost their last eight wickets for 94 runs. Janith Wellalage made 45 and captain Kusal Mendis 42, but no partnership proved match-winning.