First Metro Bank one-day international, Chester-le-Street
England 265 (48.1 overs): Brook 67 (69); Colombage 3-44
Sri Lanka 176 (37 overs): Wellalage 45 (36); Jacks 5-22
England won by 89 runs
Will Jacks starred with both bat and ball as England beat Sri Lanka by 89 runs in the first ODI at Chester-le-Street, continuing their encouraging run in white-ball cricket.
On a slow, low pitch, England struggled to build momentum but managed to post 265 after being bowled out in 48.1 overs. Harry Brook top-scored with 67, while Joe Root added 44 before Jacks finished unbeaten on 46.
The total looked slightly below par, but England's bowlers delivered an impressive performance. They kept Sri Lanka under pressure throughout the chase and picked up wickets at regular intervals.
Jacks was the standout, dismissing Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka before returning to clean up the tail and finish with career-best figures of 5-22. Sri Lanka, despite showing clear improvement in the field, struggled badly with the bat and were eventually bowled out for 176.
The win means England have now beaten Sri Lanka in 10 consecutive white-ball matches this year. They can wrap up the three-match ODI series on Thursday at Headingley, with the final game scheduled for Sunday at The Oval.
That match will bring the curtain down on what has been a remarkably unpredictable summer for England.