SL vs ENG: Despite Malinga's five-fer, England win by 31 runs

With this victory, England took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series as the first match of the series was washed away by rain

Lasith Malinga, making an impactful return to one-day international cricket took a five-wicket haul. It seemed that Sri Lanka would turn the tables against England until the heavy rains arrived. England won the match by 31 runs by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method with Sri Lanka 140 for five chasing 279.

For England, fast bowlers Chris Woakes's sharp bowling contributed significantly after half centuries by captain Ian Morgan (92) and Joe Root (71).

With this victory, England took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series as the first match of the series was washed away by rain.

Rain has unfortunately forced a premature end to today's play, meaning England win by 31 runs (DLS method).

Eoin Morgan's 92 was the standout contribution, but England's bowlers did well to peg Sri Lanka back to 140/5.#SLvENG 👇https://t.co/PEDmyTHOiY pic.twitter.com/xig0lGhoSF

— ICC (@ICC) October 13, 2018

England batting first scored 278 runs for nine wickets in 50 overs. The Sri Lankan team, while chasing the target, scored 140 runs for five wickets in 29 overs, when the match had to be stopped due to rain. The match did not start again and the Duckworth-Lewis rule was declared England by 31 runs.

For Sri Lanka, fast bowler Lasith Malinga spared 44 runs, taking five wickets. This is the seventh time when Malinga has taken five or more wickets in ODIs.

Malinga picked up the wicket of Jason Roy on the fourth ball of the innings. Bairstow (26) and Root then shared the innings with a 72-run partnership. After Bairstow got out, Morgan shared a 68-run partnership with Root.

Dhananjay D Silva (36 not out) and Parera (44 not out) were present at the crease when the match was stopped due to rain.

The third ODI between the two teams will be played on Wednesday in Pallekelle International Stadium.