SL vs ENG | Twitter chuckles as Rathnayake and Nissanka mess up relay effort in hilarious comedy of errors

‌England started slowly after opting to bat against Sri Lanka in the third and final ODI in Colombo on Tuesday. The visitors had a sedate start, scoring only 40 runs in the first 10 overs, while also losing opener Ben Duckett, at the R Premadasa Stadium.

However, Joe Root held the innings together as the batting side consolidated in the middle overs, with captain Harry Brook going big guns from the other end as England sat pretty at 227/3 after 40 overs. Brook completed his fifty, in 40 balls, in the 44th over, with Root reaching three figures in the next over.

The duo plundered 30 runs in the next two overs as England even fancied their chances of reaching the 350-run mark. And Sri Lanka generously contributed to the cause with Pavan Rathnayake and Pathum Nissanka making a mess of their relay effort at the boundary.

With a returning Asitha Fernando getting hit for a boundary off a fuller delivery, the pacer tried his luck going short and outside off stump against the England skipper. Brook agriculturally tried to take it over square leg, getting a top edge as the ball made its way towards the fence.

However, a quick Rathnayake made a dive to stop the ball before making a relay throw towards Nissanka, who came in from fine leg. The ball went a tad high, with the Sri Lankan opener jumping to stop it, but could not, as the ball rolled to the fence after hitting his hand.

Twitter was in splits as the England skipper gained a bonus two runs and marched towards an imminent century.

Materclass

Joe Root just gave a masterclass in how to handle spin without breaking a sweat 😮‍💨

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.

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[Joe Root, 20th ODI Century, England vs Sri Lanka, Batting Masterclass] pic.twitter.com/nVzrkbXJ68

— FanCode (@FanCode) January 27, 2026

Solid

Sri Lanka off to a solid reply after England’s 357, built on a deadly Harry Brook ton and a classic Joe Root hundred.



SL is a tough side to beat in their own backyard – can England really pull off a historic series win here? 🤔🏏?#HarryBrook #JoeRoot #SLvsEng #England… pic.twitter.com/lzX9F5OE2q

— DEVID YADAV (@yadavdevid28) January 27, 2026

All time low

This England bowling might be at an all time low.



How are they struggling to defend 350+ vs Sri Lanka……



Wickets soon, or they’re in trouble #srilankacricket #englandcricket

— PSG of The Championship (@StraightBKUp) January 27, 2026

Smashed

England scored 357/3 (50).

Joe root and Harry Brook smashed Century against Sri Lanka. #engvsl #joeRoot #T20WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/BonSGJepl0

— Bablu 🐦 (@BabluCh31201102) January 27, 2026

Good one

What looked like a good score from England is about to be blown out of the park by Sri Lanka.

— Liam Wraith (@liamwraith22) January 27, 2026

Biggie

Brook - 136* (66).

Root - 111* (108).

Bethell - 65 (72).



ENGLAND POST 357/3 AGAINST SRI LANKA. pic.twitter.com/DQRCzyAJfw

— Zaib Amin (@CricByZaib) January 27, 2026

Not me

Not me watching cricket 😟

Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 vs England

3rd ODI

— 𝐑𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐚𝐝𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐢® (@abadaaki) January 27, 2026

Nice

27/01/2026



Sri Lanka vs England



Sri Lanka chasing 357 with a good start I have put a bet that first wicket loss after 56 runs. Right now 34 with none



Put 836 at 1.85

— Raon (@raonthedev) January 27, 2026

Good cricket

Good Cricket Harry & Root by two Centuary in Premadasha, Stadium, Colombo 🔥



Harry Brook - 136*(66)

Joe Root - 111* (108)



🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England finish on 357-3

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka need 358 to win#ENGvSL l https://t.co/XXdPpg1zew pic.twitter.com/aVS1SOz1hK

— Cory.R.ji (@Cory3078418480) January 27, 2026