Will Jacks took a career-best five wickets to power England to an 89-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first one-day international at Chester-le-Street on 22 September 2026. Jacks also scored an unbeaten 46 runs off 47 balls to help England reach 265 all out in 48.1 overs after captain Harry Brook won the toss and chose to bat first. England then bowled Sri Lanka out for 176 runs in 37 overs on a slow surface to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Brook and Root Lead Solid Batting Display
England captain Harry Brook scored 67 runs from 69 deliveries. Brook shared a 68-run partnership with Joe Root. Root made 44 runs off 52 balls. During his innings, Root reached 23,000 international runs across all formats. He became the eighth cricketer in history to reach the milestone. Opener Ben Duckett added 32 runs, while Jos Buttler contributed 31 runs. Tom Banton scored 10 runs opening the batting in place of injured Jacob Bethell.
England reached a defendable total largely due to Will Jacks’ late hitting. Jacks struck four consecutive fours off fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera in the 48th over to boost the score. Jacks remained undefeated on 46 runs before Sri Lanka dismissed England with 11 balls remaining.
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Sri Lanka Chase Falters After Early Promise
Sri Lanka began their chase of 266 runs. England fast bowler Josh Tongue caught Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka for 27 runs off 37 balls. During his knock, Nissanka reached 3,000 career runs in ODI cricket. Pavan Rathnayake made 13 runs off 23 deliveries before losing his wicket. Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis provided resistance with 42 runs from 60 balls. However, Sri Lanka collapsed from 84 for two in the 20th over. Seamer Jamie Overton struck twice in rapid succession. He took two wickets for 21 runs.
Jacks Dominates with Historic Five-Wicket Haul
Will Jacks took five wickets for 22 runs in seven overs. Jacks trapped Charith Asalanka leg-before-wicket for one run to initiate the slide. He then removed Mendis in identical fashion when the Sri Lankan captain attempted a sweep shot. Dunith Wellalage top-scored for the visitors with 45 runs off 36 balls before skying a catch off Jacks to mid-on.
Two balls later, Jacks dismissed Asitha Fernando for a duck before clean bowling Dilshan Madushanka for a golden duck to wrap up victory. Jacks claimed three wickets in his final over to earn his maiden five-wicket haul in ODI cricket. His performance represents the second-best figures by an England spinner in ODI history, trailing only Vic Marks’ 5 for 20 in 1984.
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Post-Match Comments from Brook and Jacks
Match winner Will Jacks expressed satisfaction with his expanding all-round role. “I think I am getting used to this role now,” Jacks said after receiving the Player of the Match award. “It is more about playing the situation and playing what is out there.”
England captain Harry Brook praised Jacks’ versatility on a tricky surface. “It wasn’t the easiest of surfaces, but we want to be a team that can adapt to conditions and get a win when they are not in our favour,” Brook told Sky Sports. “Jacks is an outstanding player. The way he has come into this role in the middle order and played his part with the ball has been awesome.”
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