Sawt Falasteen - Banton takes England to 355-7 in Sri Lanka ODI decider

The opener was in superb touch while compiling 126, his first century in 10 ODIs and 43 T20s since his England debut over six years ago.

Together with England captain Harry Brook (77), he shared a third-wicket partnership of 150.

Jordan Cox kept the runs coming with 76 before he was dismissed off the penultimate ball of the innings as England looked to clinch this three-match series 2-1.

England suffered an early setback after Brook won the toss, with Ben Duckett bowled for a duck by Dilshan Madushanka.

Joe Root fell lbw to Janith Liyanage for a sluggish 18 off 37 balls.

Brook had made just seven when he edged a cut off Dunith Wellalage but Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis failed to hold the chance.

He took full advantage of that escape, going on to complete a 49-ball fifty.

Banton, fresh from his 73 in Sri Lanka's series-levelling win in Leeds on Thursday, went into the 90s with an audacious reverse-swept six off Sachindu Colombage.

A glorious drive through extra cover off Wellalage -- his 13th four in 95 balls faced -- took the Somerset batsman to a hundred.

The 27-year-old Banton then hammered Madushanka for two successive sixes.

Brook eventually miscued paceman Asitha Fernando to mid-off but his exit left England still well-placed for a big score at 218-3 in the 35th over.

Banton's superb 105-ball innings, including 16 fours and five sixes, finally came to an end when he holed out to long-on off Colombage.

Cox, recalled following Jos Buttler's hamstring injury at Headingley, seized his chance with a 42-ball fifty.

J.AbuHassan--SF-PST