Summary

Have your say on England men this summer

Live Reporting

Mike Peter

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    People questioning Root need to give their head a wobble. He's still comfortably our best player.

    Rob, Cumbria

    Astounded by some of the comments about Root. Only one name is even in contention to catch the great Tendulkar in terms of runs scored, and he has unselfishly jeopardised that to take on the Test captaincy again when we need him to. Form is temporary. Class is permanent.

    James, London

    Root trapped in front again

  2. Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on Test Match Special

    Sri Lanka have done well - they've just put some pressure on England today.

  3. Eng 97-2

    Tom Banton reverse sweeps for fourGetty Images

    Tidy stuff from Tom Banton.

    The England opener hits his 10th four of the day, reverse sweeping Dunith Wellalage through backward point.

  4. Eng 92-2

    Janith Liyanage rattles through his fourth over, with five runs coming from it.

    Harry Brook clips a two to mid-wicket, while one of England's runs comes from a wide - the first of the innings.

  5. How's stat?!

    England's manhattan in the opening 22 overs against Sri Lanka in the third ODIBBC Sport/CricViz

    Another potentially big drop from Sri Lanka's fielding unit - since the start of 2025, England have a record of one win and eight losses in ODIs in which neither Joe Root nor Harry Brook make fifty-plus.

  6. Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on Test Match Special

    You just get the feeling that Harry Brook was looking to do something there and he just hasn't been able to.

  7. dropped catch

    Brook dropped on seven

    Eng 87-2

    Harry Brook is dropped by Kusal MendisGetty Images

    Harry Brook should be heading to the dressing rooms.

    Having faced five balls without scoring against Dunith Wellalage, the England captain goes to cut the final delivery of the over.

    He feathers an edge which bounces off the gloves of wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis, up to the stumps for the spinner, and hits the deck.

    A maiden for Wellalage, but he'd have wanted more.

    (Hello, by the way)

  8. Eng 87-2

    Banton 61, Brook 7

    I'm confused why seamer Janith Liyanage has not been used more in the series, or at all before this match. He's not tall but he's finding a probing length and is offering nothing to hit.

    Mike Peter is eagerly waiting to take over from me.

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    This is where Brook needs to play a proper innings. Plenty of time, no need to play daft

    Rosie Lane, Tunbridge Wells

    Short memories from some Joe Root. Not out the entire series vs. India incl. a century and plenty of good scores. Let's not overreact.

    Max Lacey, London

  10. Eng 86-2

    Banton 61, Brook 6

    Jeeez. Tom Banton looks good. Just a tiny, tiny touch too short from Wellalage and the right-hander, rocking way back in his crease, powers the ball through the covers. He tests the fielder in the deep to take two later in the over too.

  11. Eng 77-2

    One thing I will say. It was another lbw dismissal for Joe Root. That was the problem in the Test matches too. Kusal Mendis is up to the stumps to the seamer now Harry Brook is in.

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    What a perplexing innings from Root. Looks like a player devoid of any confidence after a summer of little return. Needs the break.

    Andy, Manchester

    Clever of Nissanka to drop Joe Root. He’s used up about 3 overs achieving nothing since then.

    Michael Allen, North Wales

    Root 'should have been caught at slip' by Nissanka

  13. Eng 74-2

    Banton 53, Brook 2

    Dunith Wellalage barely bowls a bad ball. He keeps the pressure on.

  14. Eng 73-2

    You can just be out of form! It doesn't have to be a crisis.

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    That has to be the worst I’ve ever seen Joe Root play. Clearly not the wicket as Banton is doing so well, so maybe tiredness/fatigue? Very strange!

    Ollie, London

    Is Joe Root finished at the top level? Probably an exaggeration but it's been a very strange summer where he's never quite looked like himself.

    Max Carlson, Clapham

  16. Eng 72-2

    Banton 52, Brook 1

    How early is too early for me to remind you Tom Banton has not yet scored an international century?

    Oh. I've gone and done it now...

  17. How's stat?!

    Joe Root looks dejected after being dismissedGetty Images

    Joe Root finished with a strike-rate of just 48 in his innings today, only once before has he played an innings of 30 balls or more at a lower strike-rate (23 strike rate, 7 off 30 v New Zealand, World Cup final 2019).

  18. 50 runs

    50 for Tom Banton

    Tom Banton celebrates his half-centuryGetty Images

    Tom Banton is even more important now. He goes to his fifty from 51 deliveries and there's a lady to my left on her feet applauding. I don't think she's his mum.

  19. How's stat?!

    Andy Zaltzman
    Test Match Special statistician

    This is the first time Janith Liyanage has bowled on the tour.

    A little bit unexpected for him to strike with his first ball.

  20. wicket

    WICKET

    Root lbw b Liyanage 18 (Eng 68-2)

    Hitting! The Oval is quiet now.

    A good review from Sri Lanka, who thought about it for a fair while. It was just a straight ball from seamer Janith Liyanage angling towards leg stump.

    Root missed it with a flick and his difficult innings is over.