The tension is palpable in Colombo as England and Sri Lanka battle it out in the first ODI! The score is tight, and every run counts. Let's dive into the latest action unfolding on the pitch.
OVER 20: SRI 97/2 (Mendis 30, Dhananjaya 10)
Adil Rashid tossed one up a little too full, right on the pads, and Mendis expertly swept it away for a much-needed four. Unfortunately for England, the fielder at deep backward square leg couldn't cut it off in time. This is the kind of precise stroke-play that can really put a team under pressure!
OVER 19: SRI 90/2 (Mendis 24, Dhananjaya 9)
A collective gasp from the crowd as Mendis drove the ball into the covers, and for a heart-stopping moment, it looked like a catch! However, the ball landed just short of a diving Bethell. Only one run was scored this over, and Dhananjaya didn't look entirely comfortable facing Dawson. It's time for a much-needed drinks break to regroup.
OVER 18: SRI 89/2 (Mendis 23, Dhananjaya 9)
Adil Rashid is showing his experience by varying his pace and flight. He's tossing the ball up, giving it a chance to turn away from the right-handed batsmen. Mendis is finding great success with a delicate late dab down to third man, securing his fourth boundary in that area. England desperately needs to find a way to shut down this shot.
OVER 17: SRI 82/2 (Mendis 17, Dhananjaya 8)
Ahmed's brief spell of two overs comes to an end as Dawson is brought back into the attack. Dawson strayed too much onto the pads, and the ball ran away fine to the boundary. Initially, it looked like it might have brushed the pads, but it was signaled as five wides. Even on replay, there was a suggestion of pad involvement. But the boundaries keep coming! Mendis guided another one down to third man for four, his third boundary in that region, expertly steering the ball past point's left hand. The runs are starting to flow for Sri Lanka!
OVER 16: SRI 71/2 (Mendis 12, Dhananjaya 7)
Rashid is in his element, bowling a superb delivery that teased the outside edge of Mendis' bat with a hint of turn. Dhananjaya, however, played a confident shot down the ground for his first boundary of the innings – a decisive one-bounce four. This shows a bit of flair from the new batsman.
OVER 15: SRI 65/2 (Mendis 11, Dhananjaya 2)
Did you know? Rehan Ahmed's brother, Farhan, is also making waves in the Under-19s World Cup, having taken a wicket yesterday in England's dominant victory over Scotland! Mendis has been a bit quiet so far, but he's just found his rhythm. He capitalized on two back-of-a-length deliveries, guiding them consecutively behind point for fours. These back-to-back boundaries might just highlight the difference in experience between the seasoned Rashid and the developing Ahmed.
OVER 14: SRI 55/2 (Mendis 1, Dhananjaya 1)
Sri Lanka's Test captain, Dhananjaya de Silva, is the new batsman at the crease and has already got off the mark with his second ball. We now have two fresh batsmen at the crease, ready to build a partnership.
WICKET! Mishara b Rashid 27
Another crucial breakthrough for England! Mishara has been dismissed, and both of Sri Lanka's openers are now back in the pavilion. The ball was bowled down the legside, and Mishara attempted a sweep, but he missed it completely. Rashid's delivery was a googly, which spun back beautifully to hit the stumps. Fall of Wicket: 54/2.
OVER 13: SRI 53/1 (Mendis 1, Mishara 27)
It's spin from both ends now, with Rehan Ahmed coming into the attack. He wasn't originally slated to play but stepped in for the unwell Will Jacks. Mendis finally gets off the mark after facing his 13th ball.
OVER 12: SRI 51/1 (Mendis 0, Mishara 26)
A change in bowling sees the experienced Adil Rashid enter the attack for the first time today. His opening over was economical, conceding just one run, with Mendis still yet to score.
But here's where it gets controversial... Was that five wides call in the 17th over correct? The replays offered a hint of pad, and some might argue it should have been called a no-ball or even a legal delivery. What do you think? Should umpires err on the side of caution with such marginal calls? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
