Summary

  • Use audio icon at top of the page to listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentary

  • England win first match in three-game series by seven wickets

  • England bowl Sri Lanka out for 106

  • Debutants Gaur and Filer take 3-26 and 3-27 respectively

  • Leg-spinner Glenn also takes 3-20 and Capsey 1-12

  • England won toss and bowled first

  • England also hand ODI debut to Bouchier

  • Highlights on BBC Two and iPlayer from 00:25 BST

  1. Goodbyepublished at 15:26 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    Well, that's it from Durham.

    We expected to be here a little longer, but there was plenty to enjoy in that short ODI.

    Take a read of Stephan Shemilt's report, and we'll see you in Northampton on Tuesday (12:30 BST) for the second match in this three-game series.

    Farewell!

  2. Postpublished at 15:23 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    But England's third debutant Maia Bouchier stepped up to take England past their total.

  3. Postpublished at 15:22 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    England batters Tammy Beaumont, Emma Lamb and Heather Knight all looked comfortable facing the Sri Lankan attack, but each fell before they could see the home side to their target.

  4. Postpublished at 15:19 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    While spinner Sarah Glenn also picked up three Sri Lankan wickets.

  5. Postpublished at 15:18 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    Gaur was not the only bowler to take a three-for. Fellow debutant Lauren Filer snared three wickets in the Sri Lankan middle-order, including the wickets of Kavisha Dilhari and Nilakshi de Silva in consecutive balls.

  6. Postpublished at 15:15 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    Mahika Gaur, at just 17 years of age, was player of the match with 3-26 on debut.

    The England seamer cleared up both Sri Lankan openers in the powerplay. She then returned to finish off the tourists' innings, taking the final wicket of Udeshika Prabodhani.

  7. Postpublished at 15:15 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    Katherine Sciver-Brunt
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    We didn't know much about Filer and Gaur in terms of 50-over cricket so it's good to be able to see what they can do in each format.

    It's all about exploring this squad of about 20 professional players under the England banner and seeing what combinations we can put together to make a team to beat the best in the world.

    It's looking great and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens.

  8. Postpublished at 15:11 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    England captain Heather Knight: "I am really pleased. It was a good toss to win because it wobbled about a bit. The way the bowlers bowled and made the most of it was outstanding. Kate Cross will go under the radar today, she was back to her best and really supported Mahika [Gaur].

    "Mahika bowled some pretty magic balls and is a really exciting talent. Lauren Filer in the middle too, she is always a crowd favourite and gets everyone up and about. It was nice to get back to winning ways.

    "It is really pleasing. It is quite rare to have three debutants. but all of them were very good. Mahika swings it very late and Files has that pace. Bouchier took her opportunity higher up the order too.

    "We will see some rotation, we've got a big squad and Mahika is only 17 too. She's exciting but we want to look after her as well."

  9. How's stat?!published at 15:10 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    Phil Long
    BBC Test Match Special statistician

    England won with 192 balls to spare. That's the largest margin of victory they've managed in terms of balls against Sri Lanka.

    Their best ever is 243 against South Africa in the 2013 World Cup.

  10. Postpublished at 15:08 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    Russel Arnold
    Former Sri Lanka all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

    Katherine mentioned that the England players are tired and that's why you need the depth so that you can put out different teams and stay competitive.

    You have your best players for the biggest tests. If I was in England's shoes, I'd have done the same thing in terms of selection.

    After the first T20 game, we were raving about the young players.

    Sri Lanka know they can be good in certain situations and in the second and third T20s, those situations did arise and they wanted to kick on from there.

    But they are a work in process.

  11. Postpublished at 15:07 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    Katherine Sciver-Brunt
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    You can't keep good players down for long, you're allowed a bad day. Everybody is human.

    If they're on and we're off then we're going to pay. And vice-versa. That the way international sport is.

    When you lose players like Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Bell, it does disrupt the balance of the team and you've got to figure out how to play together again.

    It's a figuring out thing and it's exciting and promising for England because they're navigating around what they look like without some of their best players.

  12. Postpublished at 15:06 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    Russel Arnold
    Former Sri Lanka all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

    It's a tough one for Sri Lanka and an odd one to assess.

    From their point of view, they've suffered in situations like this in the past.

    You are trying to find players who can go out and score runs for you but as a team you need a bit more so that you can remain competitive.

  13. Postpublished at 15:06 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu: "A tough day at the office. T20 is a different format, Mahika and Kate Cross bowled well in the first hour. We didn't handle that pressure, we needed 250 or 260 on this pitch.

    "We have to talk about positive things - but we have to improve our batting. Patience is important, but I think we can bounce back and play really good cricket."

  14. Postpublished at 15:03 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    Player of the match Mahika Gaur: "It was a great day, I really enjoyed myself out there and it was good to get a win as well.

    "I think it's about bowling your best ball for longer. I've not played much 50-over cricket but I think it's good for the bowlers as the batters don't go as hard at you.

    "I think I've had the conversation with Heather and the coaches about the field. They've told me to do what I do best, swinging it in.

    "I've been in England for a year since moving back from the UAE. My coach has been great and it's good he's been able to come see my debut."

  15. Postpublished at 14:59 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    Melissa Story
    BBC radio commentator

    The young players stepped up today. Lauren Filer, Mahika Gaur and Sarah Glenn took three wickets apiece.

    Runs for Emma Lamb, Maia Bouchier hit the winning runs.

  16. Postpublished at 14:59 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    A fantastic day for England's debutants. Lauren Filer and Mahika Gaur took three wickets apiece, before Maia Bouchier was promoted up the order to finish the match off - doing so with a four.

  17. Postpublished at 14:57 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    Katherine Sciver-Brunt
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    England have dominated from start to finish today.

    It's gone exactly the way head coach Jon Lewis would have imagined. It shows what we're capable of.

    The longer the format, the more of a test of skill and England just showed why they're in the top two or three in the world.

    It's a performance I expected with the players we have back in the team, there's healthy competition for places.

    Signs of what can come but don't ever discount Sri Lanka. They can make the next ODI look a lot different to this one.

  18. Postpublished at 14:56 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    Melissa Story
    BBC radio commentator

    England have won will plenty of time to spare.

    After Sri Lanka won the T20 series, the one-day series has started comfortably in England's favour.

  19. England win by seven wicketspublished at 18 overs

    And that's that.

    Captain Athapaththu returns to bowl, likely knowing this will be the final over.

    England work the singles past the hundred mark, before debutant Maia Bouchier finishes the game with a push through the covers. There's a chasing fielder, but she can't cut the ball off even though there wasn't much power on it.

    Over the ropes, game done.

  20. Postpublished at 14:53 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    Katherine Sciver-Brunt
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    She knows. When it comes off your glove, you know. It's harsh to ask the debutante at the other end.