Sri Lanka’s grip on home ODI cricket has been iron-fisted. Unbeaten in their backyard for five years, the hosts have come through 12 bilateral series without tasting defeat, winning 11 and drawing one. That formidable run is now on the line with the three-match series against England delicately poised at 1-1 heading into Tuesday’s decider and once again, it is Joe Root who looms as the immovable object in their path.

‎‎Root has been England’s sheet anchor in both matches, posting half-centuries in each, with his back to the wall 75 in the second ODI laying the foundation for a five wicket victory. On surfaces offering turn and variable bounce, he has looked as if he is batting on a different strip altogether, untroubled by spin while others grope in the dark.

‎‎”Joe’s unbelievable. The way he batted the other night showed his class in these conditions when the pitch is turning,” England spinner Liam Dawson told reporters in Colombo.

‎“To be that successful and dominate world cricket for the number of years he’s played is phenomenal. He’s obviously going to go down as one of the greats of the game.”

‎‎At a time when most modern batters try to bludgeon spin into submission, sweeping, reverse-sweeping and going aerial, Root has taken the old-school route. He does use the sweep, but he is far from a one-trick pony. Playing late, using soft hands and milking the bowling for singles, he rotates strike effortlessly and puts pressure back on the bowlers. For those watching closely, it has been a masterclass in how to bat on turning tracks.

‎‎Sri Lanka know the equation only too well.‎

‎”Root has always been a thorn in our flesh and we have seen how when we dismiss him early England struggle,” captain Charith Asalanka said.

‎‎”He holds one end up, builds partnerships and he is England’s key, we know that. His experience, with over 22,000 international runs, makes him a huge challenge for us, but we are ready for him in the series decider.”‎

‎England’s growing comfort with spin was underlined in the second ODI, where they rolled out six slow bowling options and sent down 40.3 overs of spin, the most by an England side in ODI history. Dawson believes that depth could be a trump card with the World Cup looming, an event Sri Lanka will co host with India.

‎”We have a lot of options when it comes to spin. With the World Cup being in this part of the world, having so many spin options is a good thing for the captain,” Dawson said.

‎”On flatter surfaces you have to vary your pace and things like that, but in these conditions you just have to land it in a good spot and let the pitch do the rest.”

‎‎For England, the Sri Lanka tour is more than just a series, it is a dress rehearsal for the World Cup.

‎‎”This experience of playing here before the World Cup is important for us. Hopefully we can win the last game, build some confidence, compete well in the T20 series coming up and head into the World Cup on a high,” Dawson added.

by Rex Clementine

Dialog Axiata PLC hosted an event to mark the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2026, bringing together stakeholders and cricket enthusiasts as Sri Lanka looks ahead to one of the world’s most anticipated sporting events.

‎Over the years, Dialog has played an enduring role in supporting sport in Sri Lanka, with cricket at its core, enabling access to the game through partnerships and nationwide initiatives, reflecting its commitment to powering the passion of the nation. Against this backdrop, securing the ICC media rights in Sri Lanka for the 2026–2028 period represents an important milestone in Dialog’s ongoing journey of bringing the world’s leading cricket tournaments to Sri Lankan audiences.

‎The event was attended by representatives from the Sports Ministry, Sri Lanka Cricket, the media, and the corporate sector, alongside former and current national cricketers. It recognised Sri Lanka’s proud cricketing legacy and the deep-rooted following the game enjoys among fans, while underscoring the scale and significance of the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 for local audiences.

‎As anticipation builds towards the tournament, the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup trophy was ceremonially showcased during the event, offering those present a closer look at a widely recognised symbol of the competition.

‎S. Achhudan, Director General of Sports said, “Sport plays an important role in strengthening national unity and identity. Public–private partnerships, such as Dialog’s continued support for cricket, are important in sustaining the sports ecosystem and in enabling broad public access to major international sporting events.”

‎Commenting on the occasion, Supun Weerasinghe, Director / Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata PLC, said, “Cricket holds a special place in Sri Lanka, with a following that spans generations and communities. Global tournaments such as the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup are events that fans look forward to and remember. At Dialog, our focus is to play a meaningful role in enabling these experiences — ensuring Sri Lankans can follow the game across platforms, with the quality, reliability, and reach it deserves.”

‎Sharing his views on the collaboration, Mr. Bandula Dissanayake, Honorary Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket, said, “The ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup is a major event for the sport and for cricket-loving nations such as Sri Lanka. With Dialog as the ICC media rights holder in Sri Lanka for the 2026–2028 period, this collaboration supports strong engagement around the tournament and reflects the scale of interest cricket continues to enjoy across the country.”

‎Sri Lankan fans will be able to follow the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 on Dialog Television and the Dialog Play App, alongside a free-to-air broadcast partnership with Supreme TV, ensuring wide access to the tournament.

‎Sri Lanka restricted their Afghanistan counterparts to 193 runs in their first Super Sixes Group 1 match of the ICC Youth World Cup in Windhoek on Monday.

‎Viran Chamuditha gave away just 20 runs in his quota of ten overs and took two wickets. Paceman Kugathas Mathulan took two wickets but his ten overs cost him 62 runs.

‎Sethmika Senevirathne, Rasith Nimsara and Chamika Heenatigala took a wicket each.