England back in series as Joe Root smashes a ton

Joe Root hit a stunning century in Kandy today to give England a five-wicket win and a fighting chance of an unlikely series victory against Sri Lanka.

The teams returned to the Pallekele International Stadium after a storm forced play to be abandoned before England could bat yesterday.

Root brought up his third one-day international century with a six over ‘cow corner’ and, having initially gone two down, England will take the series if they win the last two games.

He shared stands of 104 with James Taylor, who made 68, for the third wicket and then 86 with Ravi Bopara (right) for the fourth, to consolidate the fine work of Chris Woakes, who took six for 47 before the heavens opened yesterday.

There were a few nervy moments towards the end of the innings, Bopara and Eoin Morgan perishing with the finishing line in sight. But there was to be no stopping Root, who was at the non-striker’s end as Jos Buttler hit the winning runs.

Root’s 104 came off 117 deliveries and also included seven fours before the mighty maximum that brought up his ton.