England’s 9-278, built around Morgan and Joe Root’s 71, proved plenty despite a nostalgic spell from Lasith Malinga. The 35-year-old rolled back the years to claim 5-44 but England seamer Chris Woakes also took three quick wickets that left the reply in tatters.

After being sent in, England suffered its first setback before a run had been scored, Jason Roy turning Malinga’s fourth ball to mid-wicket. Jonny Bairstow and Root put on a stand of 72. Root clipped five of his first 15 deliveries to the boundary including three in a row from Malinga. Bairstow never quite found his feet.

The opener became only the sixth Englishman to score 1000 ODI runs in a calendar year but, when he lost his off stump to Thisara Perera, it was no great surprise. Root, already dropped on 48, had begun to tire when he chipped Dhananjaya de Silva to cover via a leading edge - 309 runs and four games since his last dismissal.

Morgan put the pressure back on Sri Lanka and an 11th century was calling when Malinga intervened, drawing a mis-hit and gathering the return catch. Malinga’s trademark yorkers went on to account for Moeen Ali, Woakes and Liam Dawson as Sri Lanka battled back to take 5-69 in the last 10 overs. Hopes evaporated almost instantly as its experienced top order was blown away. Woakes started finding edges, Upul Tharanga and Dasun Shanaka nicking behind and captain Dinesh Chandimal playing on.