27-year-old Tom Banton is making just his 26th career appearance in List A one-day cricket (18 for Somerset, eight for England). By comparison Joe Root had played in 186 List A one-day matches before his 28th birthday.

Ben Duckett has had plenty of opening partners in recent ODIs - Jamie Smith, Zak Crawley, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell and even Rehan Ahmed.

There's a bit of the Crawley-Duckett little and large partnership with Banton and Duckett. Banton towers over the left-hander as he offers some advice during Dilshan Madushanka's wayward first over.

Russel Arnold
Ex-Sri Lanka all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

Dilshan Madushanka is getting it wrong.

That form is the weight what Sri Lanka carry.

It is about starting quick, and feeling you're ahead of this English team and the feeling that you can knock them over.

Aatif Nawaz
Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

It is overpitching slightly, and he pounced on that length so quickly, Tom Banton.

Tom Banton has just pinged one for four so well the catering staff in the media centre are applauding...

Ben Duckett is another who needs some runs - more for his own confidence than anything after a lean run. He gets a nice full toss early to get under way.

Russel Arnold
Ex-Sri Lanka all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

Image source, Getty Images

The weather today, the Sri Lankans will enjoy it.

I think that's a factor which probably made Sri Lanka change the team late when they realised with the sun beating down like that, the moisture is going to disappear.

All set? One of those who needs to refind the rhythm of ODI batting in Tom Banton, especially when it comes to batting at the top of the order.

He has only played one List A match since 2020 but is opening here in place of the injured Jacob Bethell.

Dawid Malan
Former England batter on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Image source, Getty Images

I know Harry Brook has simplified it a lot by saying he wants to approach it like a longer T20 game. You have to find that rhythm of 50-over cricket, and it sometimes takes a lot of time when you have only played 20-over cricket.

Chester-le-Street has been a good batting pitch in recent 50-over matches, the side batting first has posted over 300 in each of the last six matches here across domestic and international cricket.

Today's stats are provided by CricViz analyst Kieran Parmley

Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special commentator

We think there has been a late change to Sri Lanka's line-up. The pitch is dry, and they have brought a spinner in, Sachindu Colombage.

Image source, Getty Images

The three T20s between these sides last week were a very one-sided affair with England emphatically winning 3-0.

There are new faces in this 50-over Sri Lanka side, most notably captain Kusal Mendis.

Sri Lanka are a place above England in the rankings too but Harry Brook's side did win 2-1 in Sri Lanka earlier this year.

England: Ben Duckett, Tom Banton, Joe Root, Harry Brook (capt), Jos Buttler, Will Jacks, Rehan Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue.

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Dusmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Sachindu Colombage, Dilshan Madushanka

Sir Lanka captain Kusal Mendis: "I would also look to bat first. Unfortunately, we bowl first.

"Of course, we have a lot of positive things in T20. But we have to learn so many things playing outside the country.

"In one-day cricket we have a well-balanced side. Everybody in the batting line-up is really good. Last tournament, we did really well. I have confidence in my team.

"Five bowlers and six batters we're playing today."

Image source, Getty Images

England captain Harry Brook: "We're going to have a bat. We feel we can get a decent score on there. Pitch looks dry, haven't been able to get as much water on it as they'd have liked, we'll see how it goes. Bringing Gus Atkinson in and Tom Banton open the batting and Joe Root is obviously back."

On Mark Wood retiring: "He's a belter of a bloke. I enjoyed sharing the dressing room with him. He makes everyone laugh. He has been awesome. Wore his heart on his sleeve. Awesome to have in the changing room."

First blood to England.

Harry Brook has won the toss and has decided to bat first.

Image source, Getty Images

It's fitting that Mark Wood has announced his international retirement before a game at his home ground of Durham. There have been hugs with plenty of his former team-mates before play here.

He was a key member of this ODI team up to and after the 2019 World Cup win.

England's quest to build a team capable of regaining that world title next year continues here against Sri Lanka.

Image source, PA Media

It's all smiles in a sunny north east. One story is over. Another rumbles on...