Sri Lanka vs England: Ahmed Shines in Colombo ODI

The first of three One Day Internationals between Sri Lanka and England is underway in Colombo, and it’s proving to be a captivating contest. Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to capitalize on home advantage and a turning track. England, meanwhile, have made a change to their lineup with Ahmed replacing Will Jacks due to illness.

Early Stages & Mendis’s Brilliance

The opening partnership for Sri Lanka reached 50, but was eventually broken by Curran’s clever ‘moon ball’ delivery. However, Kusal Mendis quickly took control, driving Rehan Ahmed for consecutive fours – one through the covers and another down the ground – to bring up his fifty in 62 deliveries. Mendis is proving to be a significant threat to the England attack.

Ahmed’s Impact & Key Wickets

Rehan Ahmed is quickly establishing himself as a key bowler for England, and every wicket he takes is a boost to his confidence. He’s being touted as a natural successor to Rashid, and the team is wisely managing his development, avoiding placing undue pressure on the young spinner. Ahmed struck a crucial blow, dismissing Asalanka with a well-flighted delivery that was top-edged straight into the air and caught by Harry Brook. The wicket was described by Stephan Shemilt of BBC Sport as a ‘big wicket for England, big wicket for Rehan Ahmed’.

Strategic Bowling & Overton’s Role

There’s been some debate surrounding England’s bowling strategy, with some commentators, like Steve Harmison, questioning the use of seam bowlers on a turning pitch, suggesting Jacob Bethell or Joe Root might be more effective. The team seems intent on utilizing Jamie Overton in a similar role to Liam Plunkett, but some believe Carse might be a better fit. Overton conceded just one run from his over, but has figures of 0-31 from six overs.

Mid-Innings Assessment

England are taking wickets at regular intervals, a positive sign, but maintaining that momentum is crucial. Janith Liyanage provided a confident start after coming to the crease, smashing Ahmed through mid-on for four. The match is finely poised as we reach the halfway point of the Sri Lanka innings. The discussion around Rashid’s potential usefulness in the recent Ashes series continues amongst fans, with many believing his spin would have been valuable even on Australian pitches.

Looking Ahead

With the Ashes now behind us, fans are eager for more cricket action, and this ODI series promises to be an exciting contest. Rehan Ahmed’s performance is a particularly encouraging sign for England, and his development will be closely watched. The team will need to find consistent ways to take middle-overs wickets as they look to the future beyond Rashid’s career.

You can find more information about the match and ongoing coverage on BBC Sport’s Cricket page.