Tom Banton made 52 not out off 24 balls and Jos Buttler reached 15,000 T20 runs as England beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in the second T20 in Cardiff, clinching the three-match series with a game to spare.
With 7.5 overs remaining, England chased down 146, with Banton anchoring the run-chase while skipper Harry Brook and Buttler offered useful cameos. Buttler’s innings made him the first player to reach 15,000 T20 runs.
It is England’s 14th consecutive win over Sri Lanka, and their 22nd in their last 25 T20 internationals. The team has won 14 in a row against Sri Lanka and lost only three of their last 25 T20 matches.
Sri Lanka’s Start and the Collapse
The openers for Sri Lanka got off to a quick start, with Pathum Nissanka scoring at a rate of 37 off 21 and Lahiru Udara scoring at a rate of 21 off 20. Together they built up 55 runs without losing a wicket across their first five overs.
Liam Dawson (3-32) took the wickets of Udara and Kamil Mishara (0) in successive balls to take control back for the bowling side. Jamie Overton (2-23) sent Nissanka packing after the powerplay, then struck again to force Kamindu Mendis (12 off 8) to chop on.
Three balls after Dawson dismissed Shanaka, Sri Lanka were left reeling at 95-5, having been 56-0. The visitors had fallen from a promising position to a fragile one within the span of a few overs.
Asalanka and Hasaranga Hold On
Charith Asalanka (31 off 31) and Wanindu Hasaranga (27 off 22) resisted for a while. Their fifth-wicket stand gave the tourists some needed respite.
Sonny Baker (1-15) dismissed one batter, and Adil Rashid (1-18) followed with his own wicket, each man removing a batsman within six deliveries. Jofra Archer then took two wickets in the final over, leaving Sri Lanka nine down at 146.
England Chase Down the Target
Openers Buttler (30 off 16) and Aneurin Donald (21 off 13) put on 50 runs in the first 25 balls before Dushmantha Chameera (1-29) and Eshan Malinga (1-27) dismissed the pair in the space of three balls.
Malinga snared Brook at the boundary after he had smashed three sixes in four balls, ending his run of 311 runs without being dismissed in T20 internationals for England. The pace quickened as Brook struck, but the catch put an end to the streak.
Banton, the top scorer, did not let up, combining with Jordan Cox’s useful cameo, which came from 12 off 7, to complete the chase and take the win.
Brook’s Praise for Dawson and Buttler
Sky Sports spoke with England white-ball skipper Harry Brook about the game’s performance.
“Tonight was a special performance, very clinical,” he said. “Sri Lanka got off to a flier but the way we fought back with the ball was outstanding.”
He praised Dawson specifically. “The way Dawson reads the game was outstanding, too. He is an awesome bowler and a great bloke. He uses all of his nous.”
Brook also noted the quality of the bowling. “Everyone bowled phenomenally and the way Banton hits different parts of the ground with the bat was great to see.”
On Buttler’s milestone, Brook was effusive. “Ridiculous. Long may it continue. He has been phenomenal for 15 years and someone you want by your side and in the changing room.”
The Series Standings and What Comes Next
England have now won 14 in a row against Sri Lanka and 22 of their last 25 T20 internationals. The team continues to improve under head coach Brendon McCullum and new white-ball mentor Kevin Pietersen.
Saturday’s third T20 will be played at Old Trafford, with a start time of 2:30pm.
England vs Sri Lanka results and fixtures:
- First T20 (Utilita Bowl) – England win by 119 runs
- Second T20 (Thursday September 17) – England win by six wickets
- Third T20 (Saturday September 19) – Old Trafford (2.30pm)
- First ODI (Tuesday September 22) – Durham (12.30pm)
- Second ODI (Thursday September 24) – Headingley (12.30pm)
- Third ODI (Sunday September 27) – The Kia Oval (10.30am)
The Significance of the Milestone
Buttler’s 15,000 T20 runs is a remarkable achievement.
The career milestone speaks to both the length of his service and the regularity of his scoring. Brook’s response shows how much the dressing room holds Buttler in high regard.
“Ridiculous. Long may it continue. He has been phenomenal for 15 years and someone you want by your side and in the changing room.”
The win also shows the depth of England’s batting. Brook’s side have won 14 in a row against Sri Lanka and lost only three of their last 25 T20 matches.
Under McCullum and Pietersen, the team has settled into a formula that keeps producing wins. The bowling unit deserves much of the credit, with Dawson, Overton and Archer each collecting several wickets during this particular match.
England have secured the series win early, before the final game is played. The third T20 at Old Trafford on Saturday will serve as a fitting occasion to mark the achievement.
The next test for England comes in the ODIs, which begin Tuesday at Durham, though for the moment the team is simply taking pleasure in the win.
Source material: “Banton and record-breaking Buttler propel England to series win over Sri Lanka,” Sky Sports.
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