Banton maiden century powers England to 223-run win and Sri Lanka series victory

Tom Banton scored his first international century as England defeated Sri Lanka by 223 runs at The Oval to secure the one-day international series. According to BBC Sport's match report, the opener made 126 from 105 balls in England's 355-7 before Sri Lanka were bowled out for 132 in 29.1 overs. It was England's largest ODI victory against Sri Lanka.

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Banton reached his hundred from 95 deliveries, anchoring the innings through a difficult opening period before accelerating. Ben Duckett was bowled in the second over, while Joe Root managed 18 from 37 balls and at one stage went 13 deliveries without scoring. Banton kept England moving despite those early difficulties, finishing with 16 fours and five sixes as he converted his start into the decisive innings of the match.

Captain Harry Brook contributed 77 and shared a partnership of 150 from 117 balls with Banton. Sri Lanka missed an important opportunity when wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis dropped Brook on seven, having also put down Root earlier. England were 108-2 after 25 overs, but the partnership helped transform their scoring rate and put the visitors under sustained pressure in the second half of the innings.

Jordan Cox then added 76 from 52 deliveries after being selected in place of the injured Jos Buttler. His contribution, which also followed a measured start, helped England reach a total well beyond Sri Lanka's eventual reply. BBC Sport reported that the pitch offered bounce to the seamers and turn to the spinners, making the home side's batting effort particularly valuable.

England made an early breakthrough when Sonny Baker dismissed Pathum Nissanka two balls into the second over. Baker was playing his second ODI, having replaced Josh Tongue. Left-arm spinner Liam Dawson, selected ahead of Rehan Ahmed, took 3-26 as Sri Lanka's chase ended inside 30 overs. The tourists could not reproduce the performance that had taken the series to a deciding match.

For Banton, the century marked a milestone seven years after his international debut in 2019. The 27-year-old had spent almost five years outside the ODI side, and his opportunity to open came with Jacob Bethell injured. England's next assignment is a tri-series in Pakistan, also involving Sri Lanka, beginning on 20 October; Banton's place when the injured players return remains uncertain.