Kandy: Joe Root scored an unbeaten century and James Taylor notched an inspired 68 as England beat Sri Lanka by five wickets in the fifth one-day international in Kandy on Thursday.


Joe Root. Pic/AFP

England's win keeps their chances alive in the seven-match series, with the visitors now trailing 2-3 against Sri Lanka with two matches still to play. Root's 104 not out laid the foundation for England's win, and earned him man of the match. "It was nice to be able to finish off an innings", Root said while showering praise on Taylor. "It was great to see him coming and doing that."