By Matt Somerford
Match Scorecard / Live ball-by-ball commentary
Skipper Alastair Cook was leading from the front as England made a solid start to the series-deciding fifth Royal London one-day international against Sri Lanka.
Cook reached his half-century, from 69 balls, after losing Ian Bell and Gary Ballance to tame caught-and-bowled dismissals.
Bell added 76 with his skipper for the first wicket before he jabbed a catch back to Ajantha Mendis. Gary Ballance then conspired to spoon an ugly-looking stroke back to Lasith Malinga from the first ball of his second spell.
Cook, who had won the toss and opted to bat, then reached 50 by turning opposite skipper Angelo Mathews to leg. His innings had included three fours to provide the basis of 106 for two after 22 overs.
England Innings
3.40pm - WICKET! - Root c Sangakkara b Priyanjan 10; Eng 116/3 - The TV pictures confirm what the Sri Lankans thought. The ball thuds into Root's glove and pops up for Sangakkara to step forward and pouch. A change of bowling works again.
3.38pm - REVIEW! - Sri Lanka think they have Root caught behind off the glove sweeping. The initial decision is not out.
3.35pm - Malinga gets a yorker all wrong and Joe Root turns it to the fine-leg rope. That is the first boundary in seven overs.
Cook brings up his 19th ODI half-century with England 105-2. http://t.co/FvVWffDi0J#EngvSLpic.twitter.com/0K1vM9zKcn
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 3, 2014
3.31pm - FIFTY! Cook (69b 3x4 0x6) - Cook squirts Mathews away past square-leg for a single to reach his half-century.
3.21pm - WICKET! Ballance c&b Malinga 10; Eng 98/2 - Malinga returns to the attack and removes Ballance with his first ball. It was very similar to Bell's dismissal in that the ball apparently stopped in the pitch. It looked ungamely though as Ballance somehow spooned the ball back to the bowler after reaching out wide of his off stump.
3.13pm - England have reached the first drinks break at 88 for one after 18 overs. Cook is unbeaten on 42 with new man Gary Ballance on four. Sri Lanka have looked to spin at both ends recently to try and slow the pace of the game up. Ashan Priyanjan is set to come on now with his slow turners.
3pm - WICKET! Bell c&b Mendis 37; Eng 76/1 - The first wicket falls from the last ball of the batting powerplay. Bell is too early on a drive he checks straight into the waiting hands of Mendis.
2.52pm - Kumar Sangakkara produces a direct-hit from just behind the stumps but Bell, sneaking a quick single, is safely home.
2.47pm - Ajantha Mendis comes into the attack and his leg-stump full-toss is punched to the boundary by Cook. England Head Coach Peter Moores called for improvements from his top order yesterday and the skipper, alongside Bell, are responding here. Mendis then darts one back through the defences of Bell, whose fortunate the ball bounces over his stumps.
10 overs gone, England 46/0 #ENGvSL
— Sri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) June 3, 2014
2.41pm - Sachithra Senanayake, reported for a suspected illegal bowling action yesterday , is currently bowling.
2.38pm - CHANCE - Bell, on 18, scoops a simple chance to Mahela Jayawardene at cover, only for the veteran to grass the opportunity. A big let off. The right-hander then crunches a wide Nuwan Kulasekara delivery to the point boundary before driving the seamer through the covers. England are 42 without loss after nine overs.
2.17pm - Bell hits the first boundary of the day as he leans into a cover drive in typical style off Lasith Malinga. The Warwickshire man, on his home ground, has been more aggressive than Cook. Bell is 15, with his skipper on two, as England are 18 for none after five overs.
2.09pm - A sedate start so far as openers Alastair Cook and Ian Bell take five from the first two overs.
Pre-Play News
England batting first on this wicket. @Eoin16 taking a good look at the pitch #EngvSL pic.twitter.com/QL9E17zA2W
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) June 3, 2014
1.40pm - Both teams are unchanged from the thrilling Lord's match at the weekend. That means Sri Lanka retain spinner Sachithra Senanayake despite being reported for a suspect action at HQ. Captain Angelo Mathews said at the toss that the tourists never considered leaving him out despite the spotlight now on him.
1.35pm - ENGLAND WIN THE TOSS AND BAT. Cook thinks it will be a good track for batting and believes history shows that batting first here in Birmingham provides a "good advantage".
England going through their final preparations ahead of play. We'll bring you the result of the toss shortly #EngvSL pic.twitter.com/uRe8YzTYqp
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) June 3, 2014
Discussions between coach & captain. If England win the toss should they bat or bowl first? #EngvSL pic.twitter.com/e0AdieihkL
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) June 3, 2014
1.10pm - The players are all out on the field at present. England Head Coach Peter Moores has been in deep discussion with skipper Alastair cook while the other players warm up. Sri Lanka had an on-field huddle before starting their run throughs. Everyone means business.
1pm - Hello an welcome to live coverage of the fifth Royal London one-day international against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston. It's the series decider and the weather is pretty good.
Edgbaston. It's the decider. The Royal London series stands 2-2 #EngvSL pic.twitter.com/i0H6xWXOOQ
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) June 3, 2014