Colombage takes Root and Buttler in dream ODI debut

Three wickets on debut. Two of them were Joe Root and Jos Buttler.

Sachindu Colombage announced his arrival in international cricket with figures of 3-44 for Sri Lanka in the first one-day international against England at Chester-le-Street, dismissing Root, Buttler and Jamie Overton BBC Sport.

The game took place on Tuesday 22 September 2026 at Banks Homes Riverside in Chester-le-Street. It opened the three-match ODI series — each side bats for a maximum of 50 overs — after England's short-format sweep earlier in the month ICC.

England chose to bat first in the day-night match, which was scheduled for a 12:30 local start. The hosts moved quickly early on, reaching 50 in 8.6 overs.

Then came Colombage. A debut in a 50-over international is a long day to fill. Ten overs, shifting batters, fielders pushed back. He held his nerve.

Root and Buttler are two of England's most experienced batters. To remove both on your first appearance is rare. Adding Overton gave the young Sri Lankan bowler three England wickets on the same afternoon.

The context made it louder. England had just beaten Sri Lanka by eight wickets to complete a 3-0 T20 series whitewash, with Buttler striking an unbeaten half-century in the final game Reuters.

What makes this stand out is the simplicity of the scorecard. Debut. Three for 44. Root, Buttler, Overton. No explanation needed.

For fans new to the 50-over game, that line tells its own story. Bowlers get ten overs each at most. Three wickets for 44 runs is tidy work. Three wickets that include that quality of batter is a day to keep.