Second Vitality T20, Cardiff
Sri Lanka 145-9 (20 overs): Nissanka 37 (21); Dawson 3-32
England 146-4 (12.1 overs): Banton 52* (24); Rathnayake 1-25
England won by six wickets; lead series 2-0
Scorecard
England’s impressive T20 form continued as they thrashed Sri Lanka by six wickets in Cardiff to seal the series with a match to spare.
Tom Banton’s unbeaten 52 ensured England made light work of chasing a below-par 146, reaching the target in just 12.1 overs.
Jos Buttler and Aneurin Donald raced to an opening stand of 51 in 4.3 overs before they both fell in the space of four balls for 30 and 21 respectively, but England’s middle order followed suit in their aggression.
Captain Harry Brook needed to score 49 to break Tilak Varma’s record of 336 T20 international runs without being dismissed, and he looked on course, whacking three sixes in his 23 off just eight balls, before he was brilliantly caught by a diving Eshan Malinga.
Banton then took on the charge, clubbing four sixes in his 24-ball knock as England remain unbeaten in the shortest format this summer.
Brendon McCullum’s side have also now won 22 of their last 25 completed T20 since the start of last summer – a win percentage of 88%, with India (73%) the next best among full-member nations.
England’s fluency juxtaposed Sri Lanka’s innings as the tourist batters struggled again, limping to 145-9 after being bowled out for just 135 in the opener on Tuesday.
There will be added frustration from this innings, though, as their openers started so brightly by reaching 55-0 from the first five overs.
But Liam Dawson took two wickets in the final over of the powerplay to halt their momentum and the middle order failed to recover, losing 9-90 thereafter and adding just 12 from a dire final four overs.
Dawson finished with 3-32 and Jamie Overton 2-23, while Sonny Baker impressed again with his pace and control in a miserly spell of 1-15, including a wicket maiden in the 19th over.
The series concludes at Old Trafford on Saturday and is followed by three one-day internationals.
More to follow.
