173/4 (16.4)
CR : 10.38
189/5 (20.0)
CR : 9.45
England won by 6 wickets (DLS METHOD) 🏆
Player of the Match
Tom Banton
54(33)
16.4
6
J Liyanage to S Curran
BASEBALL SWISH! SIX! Curran caps it off with a home run. He stood with a stable base, weight on the backfoot, waiting for the ball to arrive. Liyanage delivered it exactly where he wanted it — on the shorter side of good length, outside off. The batter pummelled it over the wide long-on boundary. England go 2-0 up in this 3-match series.
Over 17
England 173/4
Sam Curran20(14)
Tom Banton54(33)
Janith Liyanage0-18(1.2)
ENG won by 6 wickets (DLS METHOD)
11:33 PM IST, Local Time: England take an unassailable lead in this rain-affected series, winning the second game by six wickets with two balls to spare. Tom Banton switched gears after the rain break and was unstoppable. Harry Brook gave him good support before Sam Curran finished the game in style.
Earlier in the game, Sri Lanka batted first and posted a competitive 189/5 in 20 overs. Pavan Rathnayake top-scored with a brisk 40 off 20 balls. The top order got starts but none went on to convert it into a big individual score. Pathum Nissanka made 34 off 22, Kamil Mishara scored 36 off 30, and Kusal Mendis struck 32 off just 17 balls. Charith Asalanka remained unbeaten on 28 off 22.
For England, Jofra Archer returned figures of 2 for 42, while Will Jacks, Adil Rashid, and Liam Dawson picked up a wicket apiece.
In reply, England were struggling at 57/2 after 7.2 overs. Jos Buttler was unbeaten on 30 off 23, with Tom Banton on 9 off 8, when rain arrived, leading to a 70-minute interruption.
The revised target was 168 in 17 overs. Banton took on the role of aggressor and went hell for leather. Buttler fell for 39, after which Harry Brook walked in and smashed 36 off just 12 balls to push England closer to the finish line. Banton brought up his third T20I fifty before Sam Curran sealed the chase with a six, handing England the series win with a game to spare.
Matheesha Pathirana got two for 47 from his four. Dasun Shanaka and Dunith Wellalage got one apiece but it wasn't enough.
Earlier in the game, Sri Lanka batted first and posted a competitive 189/5 in 20 overs. Pavan Rathnayake top-scored with a brisk 40 off 20 balls. The top order got starts but none went on to convert it into a big individual score. Pathum Nissanka made 34 off 22, Kamil Mishara scored 36 off 30, and Kusal Mendis struck 32 off just 17 balls. Charith Asalanka remained unbeaten on 28 off 22.
For England, Jofra Archer returned figures of 2 for 42, while Will Jacks, Adil Rashid, and Liam Dawson picked up a wicket apiece.
In reply, England were struggling at 57/2 after 7.2 overs. Jos Buttler was unbeaten on 30 off 23, with Tom Banton on 9 off 8, when rain arrived, leading to a 70-minute interruption.
The revised target was 168 in 17 overs. Banton took on the role of aggressor and went hell for leather. Buttler fell for 39, after which Harry Brook walked in and smashed 36 off just 12 balls to push England closer to the finish line. Banton brought up his third T20I fifty before Sam Curran sealed the chase with a six, handing England the series win with a game to spare.
Matheesha Pathirana got two for 47 from his four. Dasun Shanaka and Dunith Wellalage got one apiece but it wasn't enough.
Player of the Match: Tom Banton
Tom Banton (POTM): "Most of my career, I have been opening for the most of my career. I am enjoying this role too. You have to give yourself a chance. There was a bit of hold in the wicket. Its a great night. Happy for the series win.
(On the reverse sweep) On wickets like this, where there is hold and turn, it is a very productive shot. We came here to try and win a series and we have done that.
(On the reverse sweep) On wickets like this, where there is hold and turn, it is a very productive shot. We came here to try and win a series and we have done that.
Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka captain): "We did a lot of things right. It was not the rain. Eshan Malinga's injury was a factor. He is a good death bowler and we missed him.
Pavan (Rathnayake) batted well. Pathum (Nissanka), Kusal (Mendis) and Kamil (Mishara) got starts. There are few more areas where we can do better. Adil Rashid bowled well. We could have respected him a bit more and cashed upon later.
(On the slow rate of scoring against spin) We know that because we have played on spinning tracks for the last two years. It is home advantage and we have to use that. That is why the run rate against spin is low. Outside Sri Lanka it is higher. But we'll try to be better."
Pavan (Rathnayake) batted well. Pathum (Nissanka), Kusal (Mendis) and Kamil (Mishara) got starts. There are few more areas where we can do better. Adil Rashid bowled well. We could have respected him a bit more and cashed upon later.
(On the slow rate of scoring against spin) We know that because we have played on spinning tracks for the last two years. It is home advantage and we have to use that. That is why the run rate against spin is low. Outside Sri Lanka it is higher. But we'll try to be better."
Harry Brook (England Captain): [On winning the series] I though we were outstanding. To get over the line and winning the series is awesome.
[On experience ahead of World Cup] Yeah, definitely. The more time we get is good for us as we head into the World Cup. The way Tom batted was outstanding.
[On spin bowling] That's the reason we decided to pick two spinners. Spinners have been awesome. Mop up in the middle and have the skill to bowl in the powerplay. To go for 6-7 per over, they were too good tonight.
[On batting depth] There's a reason we picked so much batting options. We still had Jacks to come who has been an outstanding batter all over the world. We backed ourselves to chase down any target and we were confident to chase it down."
[On experience ahead of World Cup] Yeah, definitely. The more time we get is good for us as we head into the World Cup. The way Tom batted was outstanding.
[On spin bowling] That's the reason we decided to pick two spinners. Spinners have been awesome. Mop up in the middle and have the skill to bowl in the powerplay. To go for 6-7 per over, they were too good tonight.
[On batting depth] There's a reason we picked so much batting options. We still had Jacks to come who has been an outstanding batter all over the world. We backed ourselves to chase down any target and we were confident to chase it down."
England wrap up the series with a game to spare—perfect preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup. Tom Banton’s runs in the middle order add valuable depth as England head into the marquee event.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have plenty to ponder. They are the only team yet to announce their World Cup squad, and with their bowlers missing the mark in two games on the bounce, it certainly doesn’t make the selectors’ job any easier.
That’s all we have for you from this game. This is Ajay Pal Singh signing off on behalf of my colleagues Darpan Tikiya, Zeeshan Naiyer, and Aman. Goodbye.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have plenty to ponder. They are the only team yet to announce their World Cup squad, and with their bowlers missing the mark in two games on the bounce, it certainly doesn’t make the selectors’ job any easier.
That’s all we have for you from this game. This is Ajay Pal Singh signing off on behalf of my colleagues Darpan Tikiya, Zeeshan Naiyer, and Aman. Goodbye.