GAME CALLED OFF:Umpires aren't very happy with the conditions, it seems like. Captains shake hands and the game has been called off. Play ended just 15 overs in, and never resumed. Persistent rain first, and then conditions unfavourable for further play. The second ODI between the sides will be played here on October 13. Hopefully, there's no rain causing trouble then. Until then, goodbye!
Olly Stone was handed an ODI debut. © Getty
...8:15 apparently now.
Latest is that there will be an update at 8 pm next.
News is just coming in that covers are being removed.But to realistically get play resumed, it'll take at least 90 minutes.
Chances of anymore play looking bleak now..
We're losing overs now. It's still raining...
Now the downpour has begun.
Playing area is being covered. Play is halted.More of a precautionary measure, since it hasn't really begun raining, but the players have left the field.
A swift rebuild!
It's probably a testimony to how incredible a limited-overs side England have become, that early wickets hardly make a dent on their momentum. More so, when the new batsman is their highest scorer in ODIs. He and Joe Root have quickly added 41 runs in 38 deliveries, that included going after Akila Dananjaya for 13 runs in the 13th over. They've taken the side to 91 for 2 in 15 overs at the drinks break.
One brings another for Sri Lanka!And just like that, in a matter of two overs, the England openers are back in the shed. Akila Dananjaya goes after one that may have been stuck on the pitch a bit longer. Goes for the loft and has to depart for 24. Caught by substitute fielder Samarawickrama.
There's an edge and Bairstow has to go!Nuwan Pradeep gives Sri Lanka the breakthrough after what was a brilliant opening stand from the opening pair. It was an umpire review for caught behind. Cleanly taken by Dickwella. Bairstow has to go for 25.
1000 RUNS and OUT!Bairstow - Roy become the first England pair to stitch together 1000 partnership runs in a calendar year. Partnership ends on 49. England 49/1.
Openers are off to a steady start.
Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow are at the crease. Malinga to begin!
Sri Lanka: Upul Tharanga, Niroshan Dickwella(w), Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal(c), Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Akila Dananjaya, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Pradeep, Lakshan Sandakan
England: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan(c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler(w), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Olly Stone
As expected, England are playing three spinners. Sri Lanka, just the two.
Sri Lanka win toss, opt to field.
DEBUT FOR STONE:Pacer Olly Stone gets his maiden ODI cap!
Good afternoon and welcome to the live updates of the first of five ODIs between Sri Lanka and England. In the lead-up to the game, there were fears of rain playing spoilsport given the amount of rain the last few days. However, there's good news coming in with the skies clearing up.
England will want to make a positive start to set the tone for their long tour, while the hosts have much to worry about themselves. They haven't had a good run since the 2015 world cup. However, they can take solace from the last time that England visited.
England were beaten 5-2 the last time they were in the Island nation. They would want to fix that stat this time around. A series win here for Sri Lanka could do them a world of good looking forward to the World Cup next year.