Tom Banton notched an inspired 52 off 24 balls to steer England to a comprehensive six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second T20 to clinch the three-match series with a game to spare.
Banton was aided by useful cameos from skipper Harry Brook (23 off 7) and Jos Buttler (30 off 15) – who became the first player in history to make 15,000 T20 runs – as the home side sauntered to Sri Lanka’s modest target of 149 with 7.5 overs to spare.
The victory is England’s 14th in succession over Sri Lanka, and their 22nd in their last 25 T20 internationals as Brook’s side continue to go from strength to strength under the leadership of head coach Brendon McCullum and new white-ball mentor Kevin Pietersen.
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How imperious England strolled to dominant series victory
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Sri Lanka’s innings got off to a quick start, with openers Pathum Nissanka (37 off 21) and Lahiru Udara (21) putting on 55 runs without loss in their first five overs, but standout bowler Liam Dawson (3-32) took the wickets of Udara and Kamil Mishara (0) in successive balls to seize momentum from the batting side.
Jamie Overton (2-23) eventually sent Nissanka packing after the powerplay, and it wasn’t long before he struck again, forcing Kamindu Mendis (12 off 8) to chop on, with Dawson compounding Sri Lanka’s pain by dismissing Shanaka just three balls later to leave the tourists reeling at 95-5, having been 56-0.
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A determined fifth-wicket resistance from skipper Charith Asalanka (31 off 31) and Wanindu Hasaranga (27 off 22) gave the tourists some needed respite, but the ever-dependable Adil Rashid (1-18) and the impressive Sonny Baker (1-15) respectively dismissed both batters in six balls, before Jofra Archer took two wickets in the final over of the innings to leave Sri Lanka nine down having set England a target of 146.
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England began to make quick work of their opponents, with openers Buttler and Aneurin Donald (21 off 13) putting on 50 runs in the first 25 balls before Dushmantha Chameera and Eshan Malinga dismissed both in the space of three balls.
Brook, then, looked to up the pace, smashing three sixes in four balls before being caught by Malinga on the boundary – ending a sensational run of 311 runs without dismissal in T20 internationals for England.
His side’s middle order, though, were undeterred, with the inspired Banton combining with a useful Jordan Cox (12 off 7) to finish off the chase and claim victory.
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England vs Sri Lanka results and fixtures
All times UK and Ireland; all games live on Sky Sports
- 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)