Jacks stars as England grind out win over Sri Lanka

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be played

Highlights - Jacks stars for England as they beat Sri Lanka in first ODI

First Metro Bank one-day international, Chester-le-Street

England 265 (48.1 overs): Brook 67 (69); Colombage 3-44

Sri Lanka 176 (37 overs): Wellalage 45 (36); Jacks 5-22

Will Jacks' all-round efforts helped England grind out an 89-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first one-day international at Chester-le-Street to continue their quiet revival in white-ball cricket.

Faced with a slow and low pitch, Jacks made 46 not out after 67 from Harry Brook and 44 from Joe Root, meaning England posted 265 despite being bowled out in 48.1 overs.

That score appeared only par but a professional bowling performance limited Sri Lanka's scoring and found regular wickets.

Jacks took the big wickets of Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka and then wrapped up the tail for career-best figures of 5-22. Sri Lanka, much improved in the field but far too timid with the bat, were bowled out for 176.

England, who have now won 10 white-ball matches in a row against Sri Lanka this year, can seal a third ODI series win in a row with a game to spare on Thursday at Headingley.

The three-match contest concludes on Sunday at The Oval - a match that brings down the curtain on one of the most topsy-turvy summers in recent memory.

England fast bowler Wood retires from internationals

Published13 hours agoIndia avoid shock defeat by Japan after controversial wide

Published5 hours agoEngland go 1-0 up against Sri Lanka - as it happened

England grind it outTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be played

Root, Buttler, Overton - Colombage's debut to remember for Sri Lanka

This was not vintage England. For the first time since 2019 they did not hit a six batting first.

Captain Brook and coach Brendon McCullum should not mind that, however. For too long, England have only been able to win when piling up big scores.

Yes, they were dismissed for the 12th time since McCullum took charge of the white-ball sides last year and, as so often this summer, the quality of the opposition can be questioned.

But Brook was the only batter to fall in a middle order collapse of 4-29 playing an aggressive shot.

He sliced a drive to deep cover after batting in a restrained manner, while Sri Lanka's debutant leg-spinner Sachindu Colombage, who found a hint of turn to hit Root's off stump, had Jos Buttler lbw for 31 and bowled Overton with a googly for eight, was impressive.

After the collapse, Jacks could have swung hard but batted responsibly to stretch out the innings from 211-7 in the 39th over.

He took 18 runs from the 47th over and was primed to cut loose before Asitha Fernando, having dismissed opener Tom Banton for 10 with a bail-trimmer in the powerplay, found reverse swing to bowl Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue.

Jacks' importance to England's white-ball sides is growing with every match.

They will need bigger scores by the time the World Cup comes around in a year's time but, after beating Sri Lanka at the start of the year and toppling India in July, they are now primed to enter two months of white-ball cricket overseas on the back of another series win.

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be played

Watch the best of Jacks' match-winning performance as England beat Sri Lanka

With Adil Rashid out of this series with a hand injury, much of the attention was on Rehan Ahmed, who has a rare chance to press his case as England's leg-spinner.

After being carelessly run-out for two, he dropped a caught-and-bowled chance in his first over and conceded 46 runs in seven overs. Those figures were harsh but he will hope for better before the series is out.

Instead, it was Jacks who played the lead spinner's role with his off-spin, barely bowling a bad ball.

Asalanka and Mendis were pinned attempting sweeps and Dunith Wellalage, who hit two sixes in a 36-ball 45 at number seven, was tempted to sky a catch to mid-on. When Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka followed, Jacks had the best figures by an England spinner since Vic Marks in 1984.

England's total was also the lowest they have defended in a full ODI since July 2022 – before their dismal 2023 World Cup or their winless run at last year's Champions Trophy.

Gus Atkinson bowled well for 1-25 in seven overs and Jamie Overton 2-21 in five. The seamers all bowled hard lengths and were rewarded.

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be played

'Not great cricket' - Rehan Ahmed run out for two

PreviousNext1:28How Israel v Republic of Ireland became so contentious. 00:01:28, play videoHow Israel v Republic of Ireland became so contentious0:59Joshua 'wanted' Fury fight in the UK - Hearn. 00:00:59, play videoJoshua 'wanted' Fury fight in the UK - Hearn0:57Pollock wouldn't 'entertain any other conversations' - Hearn. 00:00:57, play videoPollock wouldn't 'entertain any other conversations' - Hearn1:08'I feel so lucky' - Wood on England retirement. 00:01:08, play video'I feel so lucky' - Wood on England retirement0:49Zidane shifts focus from French players fashion. 00:00:49, play videoZidane shifts focus from French players fashion0:28Casparij - 'Man City don't need to change anything' 00:00:28, play videoCasparij - 'Man City don't need to change anything'0:11Townsend run over by pitch roller in Thailand. 00:00:11, play videoTownsend run over by pitch roller in Thailand0:50Why is the international break longer than usual? 00:00:50, play videoWhy is the international break longer than usual?0:50What are Infantino's latest Fifa proposals? 00:00:50, play videoWhat are Infantino's latest Fifa proposals?0:46Why does Littler keep getting booed? 00:00:46, play videoWhy does Littler keep getting booed?1:07What next for Palmer's England career? 00:01:07, play videoWhat next for Palmer's England career?1:06Xhaka under investigation over Covid-19 certificate 00:01:06, play videoXhaka under investigation over Covid-19 certificate 0:20No reason for O'Neill to leave Celtic - Boyd. 00:00:20, play videoNo reason for O'Neill to leave Celtic - Boyd0:59Why is Shaun Edwards joining the Red Roses? 00:00:59, play videoWhy is Shaun Edwards joining the Red Roses?Top storiesJacks stars as England grind out win over Sri Lanka

I was close to joining Liverpool in 2016 - Mbappe

Who will start for England at Euro 2028? BBC Sport's predictions

Mark Bonnar can't trust anyone in this twist-filled thriller

How Prince Alwaleed bin Talal built his fortune betting against the crowd

Hysterical historical adult comedy starring Richard Ayoade and Matt Berry

How has corporate security changed in the aftermath of the Mangione case?

Who will start for England at Euro 2028? BBC Sport's predictions

Stafford throws four touchdown passes in Rams win. VideoStafford throws four touchdown passes in Rams win

Why is Monaco staging a sprint race? F1 Q&A

'Real fear Littler could walk away' - darts would be loser in booing row

What have we learned from the Premier League so far?

Neville calls Man Utd 'pathetic' - but Carrick maintains belief

Hodgkinson dazzles to win Athlos 800m. VideoHodgkinson dazzles to win Athlos 800m

GB qualify for Davis Cup Finals after doubles win. VideoGB qualify for Davis Cup Finals after doubles win

This Olympic river has 500 crocodiles in it - but that's not the main concern

Ranking the greatest all-time fantasy football icons

England's 39-match winning streak halted by thrilling draw with Canada. VideoEngland's 39-match winning streak halted by thrilling draw with Canada

How history-making Classic success helped jockey shed fear of failure

Meet the Scottish teenagers poised to represent Uganda