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COLOMBO, Jan 22, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Kusal Mendis played the anchor role with a surgeon's touch as Sri Lanka posted a competitive 271 for six after opting to bat first in the opening one-day international against England at Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium on Thursday.
The wicketkeeper batter was left stranded on 93, but his knock proved the glue that held Sri Lanka's innings together after the top order wobbled against England's spin.
At 124 for four, with leg-spinners Rehan Ahmed and Adil Rashid asking probing questions, Sri Lanka were staring down the barrel.
Mendis counterpunched with nimble footwork and soft hands, milking the wrist-spin for singles and punishing anything remotely loose.
Mendis battled cramps midway through his innings but refused to throw in the towel, adding a vital 88-run stand for the fifth wicket with Janith Liyanage off 98 balls to steer the innings back on course.
Liyanage, very consistent in the lower middle order since his debut two years ago, looked set to cash in before Rashid struck on his return, inducing a return catch. His 46 came from 53 deliveries, laced with five fours and two sixes.
Mendis was on 92 heading into the final over, but the strike stayed away from him as Dunith Wellalage hogged the limelight.
Sri Lanka were hardly complaining as the last over from Jamie Overton disappeared for 23 runs, Wellalage launching three fours and a six in a blistering cameo of 25 not out from 12 balls.
England leaned heavily on spin, sending down 33 overs through Rashid, Ahmed, Liam Dawson and Jacob Bethell, the second-most overs bowled by their spinners in an ODI, behind the 36 delivered in Sharjah against Pakistan in 1985.
Rashid was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of three for 44 from his 10 overs.
