Sri Lanka was beaten by six wickets in Cardiff, where England chased 146 in just 12.1 overs to clinch the T20 series with a game to spare. The match was sealed by an unbeaten 52 from Tom Banton, who struck four sixes during a knock that took him to the total in just 24 balls. England have remained unbeaten in the shortest format all summer.
Banton’s Chase
Buttler and Donald both fell early for England, yet the batsmen behind them refused to let the pressure ease. Brook stepped up as captain and struck 23 off eight deliveries, sending three sixes into the crowd, until he was caught by a diving Malinga. From there, Banton took charge, hammering four sixes during his 24-ball innings, which carried England past the target in just 12.1 overs.
To match Tilak Varma’s mark of 336 T20 international runs without being dismissed, Brook needed 49.
Sri Lanka’s Collapse
The innings began well for Sri Lanka, with their opening pair reaching 55-0 through the first five overs, with Pathum Nissanka leading the way as the top run-scorer with 37. However, Liam Dawson ended the surge by taking two wickets in the last over of the powerplay.
Sri Lanka’s middle order never recovered, and they went on to lose 9-90 with just 12 added from a dire final four overs. The total was 145-9, after they had managed just 135 in the opener on Tuesday.
Dawson and the Rest
Dawson finished with 3-32 and Jamie Overton took 2-23. Sonny Baker impressed with 1-15, including a wicket maiden in the 19th over. Sri Lanka managed just two sixes in their innings compared to England’s 10.
The Middle Order’s Demise
The first two batsmen fell early, setting a pattern for Sri Lanka’s innings. Lahiru Udara was caught at mid-on, while Kamil Mishara chipped one straight back to the slow left-arm spinner. Those departures were followed by the rest of the order, most dismissed attempting to hit the ball to the boundary.
Archer ended up claiming two wickets at the death, which helped him revive his own figures after Overton and Baker had hammered away at a good length for a while. The spinner Wanindu Hasaranga was hit hardest, giving up 42 off just three overs, with a couple of balls going out of the ground.
Donald’s Ramp
Donald began the destruction, and his strike-rate of 161.54, the lowest among the top five, made it plain that Dushmantha Chameera’s first ball over the ropes. Buttler joined the party and Brook then launched three of his own into the stands. England’s intention had been set from the start.
The Balance
England’s T20 line-up, led by Brook’s leadership and have barely broken sweat in notching a 2-0 lead. Dawson has become a mainstay in Brook’, has produced a balanced side despite the uneven nature of the current series, with the team often pulling the innings back when Sri Lanka threatens.
England’s win percentage of 88% in their past 25 completed T20s since the start of last summer puts them ahead of India’s 73%. The series concludes at Old Trafford on Saturday, followed by three one-day internationals.
What We Make Of It
England have set themselves up nicely to finish unbeaten in T20s this summer after thrashing India 4-0 earlier in the year. Banton’s innings was the highlight, but the balance around him was the story. Brook’s captaincy has produced a team that rarely breaks sweat, and the margins against Sri Lanka have been large enough to suggest the gap is real.
England’s intent was clear from the fact Donald’s strike-rate of 161.54 was the lowest of the top five. The team is unbeaten in T20s this summer, and the form suggests they will want to keep it that way through the remaining matches.
Key Facts Box
- Sri Lanka 145-9 (20 overs): Nissanka 37 (21)
- England 146-4 (12.1 overs): Banton 52* (24)
- Dawson 3-32, Overton 2-23, Baker 1-15
- Sri Lanka managed two sixes; England hit 10
- Sri Lanka lost 9-90 after 55-0 start
- England win by six wickets; lead series 2-0
- Series concludes at Old Trafford on Saturday
Source material: “England crush Sri Lanka to seal T20 series win,” the BBC.
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