Sri Lanka vs England: Joe Root brings up his century with a six as England need four to win - and then the lights went out

The rain-delayed match was edging towards a thrilling finish when a power cut saw every camera in the Pallekel stadium blackout

Joe Root and Jos Buttler walk off the field after clinching victory for England (Getty Images)

England needed four runs to pull the ODI Series against Sri Lanka back to 3-2 as an absorbing, two-day delayed match ground into the penultimate over. And then the lights went out.

At least, they did in the United Kingdom, as a power cut in Pallekele saw Sky Sports’ live coverage of the fifth match between the two sides cut-out. It wasn’t just Sky Sports who suffered the blackout, as every broadcaster of the match were unable to show the closing stages.

Immediately, cricket fans took to Twitter to find out if England had made it. Had they? Not quite when Eoin Morgan was caught out with England still two runs shy of victory and just one over left. England bowler Stuart Broad, who has been rested for the series, tweeted his frustration, posting: “Have we got over the line? @ECB_cricket Well played @joeroot05 !”

Still no live pictures… England win! According to the powers that be on social media, Jos Buttler clipped a shot to fine leg for a single, but a wild throw allowed him to sprint back for a second and secure a much-needed victory for Alastair Cook’s side.

Chris Woakes starred for England on Wednesday as his six wickets helped bowl out Sri Lanka for 239, but a huge storm mean that the match was ended for the day and would resume with England’s run chase on Thursday.

James Taylor impressed once again as his 68 got England rolling when they had lost Moeen Ali (4) and Cook (20), but Joe Root proved to be England’s saviour as his brilliant 104 not-out guided the tourists to their second victory in the best-of-seven series.

As if it couldn’t get any better for Root, he managed to bring up his century with a six off Ajantha Mendis, and thankfully, we were able to see the shot before the lights went out.