ENGLAND BEAT SRI LANKA BY 223 RUNS TO WIN ODI SERIES 2-1

England beat Sri Lanka by 223 runs at the Kia Oval to win the Metro Bank One-Day International Series 2-1. Tom Banton scored 126 from 105 balls, his first international century, as England posted 355 for seven from their 50 overs. Jordan Cox made 76 from 52 balls on his first ODI appearance in two years, replacing the injured Jos Buttler, while Harry Brook added 77 from 66 balls. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 132, with reports differing on the overs faced — one said 29.1 overs, another said 20 overs unused.

Ben Duckett was out for a duck to the second ball, dismissed by Dilshan Madushanka. Joe Root was dropped on 15 by Pathum Nissanka before being given out lbw for 18 to Janith Liyanage. Brook was also given a life, on seven, when an edge off Dunith Wellalage went down in the gloves of Kusal Mendis. Banton and Brook then added 150 runs for the third wicket as Sri Lanka's top order collapsed in reply. Will Jacks took the final wicket of the match and was named player of the series.

The win came at the end of what one report called a turbulent summer for England, encompassing Ben Stokes' retirement and Brendon McCullum's removal from his Test head coach duties in July, while he retained his limited-overs role. It was England's sixth bilateral series win in limited-overs cricket this year, according to the same report. Root was the only player in England's side with more than 50 ODI caps after Buttler was ruled out with a hamstring injury, with Jacob Bethell also unavailable. Root faces a six-week break before England's white-ball tour of Australia.