Ben Duckett struck a magnificent 167 before Liam Dawson claimed four wickets as England ended their One-day International tri-series campaign on a winning note, beating Sri Lanka by 55 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

Chasing a daunting 387, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 331 despite Pavan Rathnayake’s brilliant 118 off 77 balls. The defeat came after the Islanders had already secured their place in Saturday’s final against hosts Pakistan, while England, having lost their first three matches, signed off with a consolation victory.

Duckett’s innings laid the foundation for England’s imposing total of 386-5 in their allotted 50 overs. The left-hander struck 24 fours in his 132-ball knock, finding the boundary with remarkable consistency on a surface that offered little lateral movement. He did not hit a six, relying instead on timing and placement to keep the scoreboard moving.

Tom Banton provided strong support at the other end, scoring 74 off 75 balls with eight fours and two sixes. The pair put on 163 for the opening wicket, giving England the platform they had been seeking after a difficult run in the tournament.

Banton was dismissed by Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka in the 25th over, but Duckett continued to dominate. Harry Brook added 44 off 34 deliveries, including three fours and two sixes, as England reached 270-2 in 37.3 overs.

Brook’s dismissal, caught and bowled by Asitha Fernando, briefly slowed the scoring, but Will Jacks contributed a brisk 30 off 21 balls before being bowled by Asitha. Duckett’s innings ended at 301-3 when he attempted a scoop against Eshan Malinga and was caught at short fine leg.

Jordan Cox then struck 43 off 27 balls, while Sam Curran remained unbeaten on 21 off 12, helping England add 85 runs in the final 8.1 overs. Cox fell off the last ball of the innings, caught by Sahan Arachchige off Dilshan Madushanka, as England finished with a formidable total at a run rate of 7.72.

Asitha was Sri Lanka’s most economical frontline bowler, taking two wickets for 63 runs. Madushanka and Malinga claimed one wicket apiece, but Malinga endured a particularly expensive outing, conceding 101 runs in his 10 overs.

Sri Lanka’s chase began poorly when Kamindu Mendis was bowled by Sonny Baker for four in the fourth over. Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis rebuilt the innings, however, taking the score to 97 before Avishka departed for 48 off 50 balls, caught by Jacks off Liam Dawson.

Kusal continued to attack, making 89 off 71 deliveries, with eight fours and five sixes. His dismissal, caught behind off Joe Root at 177-3, left Sri Lanka needing a substantial contribution from the middle order.

Rathnayake supplied it in spectacular fashion. He struck 15 fours and a six, reaching his century from just 70 balls, and kept Sri Lanka in contention even as wickets fell around him. It was his third ODI hundred, all against England this year, underlining his growing effectiveness against the visitors.

Rathnayake shared useful partnerships with Janith Liyanage, who scored 27 off 17 balls, and Sahan Arachchige, who made 30 off 24. But Dawson removed Dasun Shanaka for four and later dismissed Avishka, Rathnayake and Asitha Fernando to finish with figures of 4-49 from 10 overs.

Rathnayake’s resistance ended at 329 when he was caught by Baker off Henry Crocombe, leaving Sri Lanka’s tail unable to complete the chase. The innings folded at 331 in 45.1 overs, handing England a 55-run win.

The result gave England a positive end to a campaign in which they had suffered three successive defeats, including a narrow loss to Pakistan after failing to defend 242 and Sri Lanka’s extraordinary chase of 430 in Rawalpindi.

Sri Lanka, despite Thursday’s setback, will now turn their attention to Saturday’s final against Pakistan at the same venue.