England beat Sri Lanka by five wickets in Colombo to level their three-match ODI series at 1-1.

Joe Root's 75 off 90 balls helped the tourists chase down their target of 220 in 46.2 overs as both sides struggled to score runs on a spin-friendly pitch.

Sri Lanka's decision to bat first did not pay off, with Kamil Mishara (five) being dismissed early on before Pathum Nissanka (26) and Kusal Mendis (26) soon followed.

Dhananjaya de Silva (40) and captain Charith Asalanka (45) helped steady the ship, but they could not accelerate the run rate as spinners Adil Rashid (2-34) and Root (2-13) picked up two wickets each.

England also started slowly, as Rehan Ahmed scored just 13 after being promoted to the top of the order, but it was Root, who scored 61 in the first ODI, who played the crucial innings for England once again.

Harry Brook contributed with 42 off 75 deliveries before Jos Buttler got England over the line with an unbeaten 33 off 21.

Joe Root top-scores with 75 as ENGLAND WIN! 

 @IGcom pic.twitter.com/skwvBAuax4

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 24, 2026

Data Debrief: Away victory at last

For the first time since November 2024, when they faced West Indies, England have won an ODI match away from home.

It is their first away win in the format after 11 straight defeats, 10 of which have come since Brendon McCullum's appointment last year.

Root, meanwhile, recorded his 64th ODI total of 50 or more runs (19 tons, 45 half-centuries), the most of any England player (Eoin Morgan is second with 55 such innings).