First ODI abandoned due to heavy rain and wet outfield

The first match of the five-match ODI series between England and Sri Lanka was called off due to wet outfield on Wednesday night at Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium. 

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After being sent into bat, the visitors were 92 for 2 when rain suspended play, only allowing 15 overs of the match. After a three-hour downpour, the umpires deemed the outfield too wet to resume the match at around 8.15pm.

Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow, the English opening pair which averages 56+ this year were off to a trouble-free start.

Roy was timing the ball well, especially against Lasith Malinga, who leaked at least one boundary in every over while Bairstow was caressing the off-side field with ease.

Despite Malinga’s inability to stem the run-flow, Nuwan Pradeep, playing his first ODI in nine months bowled with discipline.

Photo Album – Sri Lanka vs England | 1st ODI 2018

Roy and Bairstow raced to 49, striking over 6 runs per over before Pradeep inflicted the loose drive as Bairstow edged behind in the final ball of the eighth over.

Four balls later, Roy tried to dominate the spin of Akila Dananjaya by slogging but managed only to mistime to mid-off, where substitute fielder Sadeera Samarawickrama held on.

From being 49 for no loss, England were restricted to 51 for 2 within space of five deliveries as Sri Lanka fought back well.

The hosts were full of enthusiasm, energy and confidence in the field but the two experienced campaigners, skipper Eoin Morgan and Joe Root started their repair work adding 41 runs in no time before rain interrupted play at 3.40pm.

Earlier, England handed a debut to 25-year old seamer Olly Stone and included left-arm spinner Liam Dawson in the lineup to form a three-man spin attack while Sri Lanka brought in left-arm wrist spinner Lakshan Sandakan to partner Akila Dananjaya.

The second ODI match, a day encounter will be played at the same venue on 13th October.