Sri Lanka avoided the ignominy of getting clean-swept twice on the tour after persistent rain forced the officials to abandon the game in Bristol. Only one innings was possible, in which England bundled out Sri Lanka for 166 in 41.1 overs. After sweeping the T20Is 3-0, England now clinched the ODIs 2-0.
It will take the Sri Lankans some effort to get back on their feet within two weeks as an equally stern challenge awaits at home. They will now host the Shikhar Dhawan-led Indians.
Eoin Morgan won the toss and invited Sri Lanka to bat first. Avishka Fernando and Kusal Perera showed some urgency in the beginning, amassing 19 runs from the first two overs. But it was all one-way traffic since Perera’s dismissal in the third over. He was beaten through the gate by Chris Woakes.
Pathum Nissanka squandered yet another opportunity, edging one to Jonny Bairstow off David Willey. Nissanka is unlikely to break into the squad for the next assignment. He averages a measly 9.55 from his first nine ODI games.
Dhananjaya de Silva, too, followed the trend of his colleagues: he saw off a few balls, got his eye in, then find a way that led to the pavilion. His attempted pull off Woakes was pocketed by Adil Rashid, at fine leg. Wanindu Hasaranga, too, departed playing a similar shot.
Among myriad issues that need immediate address, tackling short-pitched deliveries definitely comes at the top.
Tom Curran, whose place in the side seems to be under constant scrutiny, returned figures of 10-0-35-4. Other than him, both Woakes and Willey picked up two wickets apiece. Woakes bowled three maidens and conceded just 28 runs from his quota of 10 overs.
If not for Dasun Shanaka, who remained unbeaten on 48, Sri Lanka would have tumbled in the vicinity of 100 odd runs, not 166.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 166 in 41.1 overs (Shanaka 48*; Tom Curran 4-35) vs England. Match abandoned due to rain.
England won the series by 2-0. Player of the Series: David Willey.