Match Summary: Second Vitality T20
- Sri Lanka: 145-9 (20 overs) – Nissanka 37 (21); Dawson 3-32
- England: 146-4 (12.1 overs) – Banton 52* (24); Rathnayake 1-25
- Result: England won by six wickets; lead series 2-0
England continued their dominant run in the shortest format by overcoming Sri Lanka in Cardiff to secure the T20 series with a match to spare. Brendon McCullum’s squad has now triumphed in 22 of their last 25 completed T20 fixtures, maintaining an 88% win rate that currently leads all full-member nations.
Sri Lanka’s innings initially showed promise, with openers reaching 55-0 after five overs. However, the momentum shifted when Liam Dawson claimed two wickets in the final over of the powerplay. The tourists subsequently collapsed, losing 9-90 and managing only 12 runs from their final four overs to finish on 145-9. Dawson finished with figures of 3-32, while Jamie Overton took 2-23 and Sonny Baker delivered a disciplined 1-15, which included a wicket maiden in the 19th over.
In response, England chased the target with ease. Jos Buttler and Aneurin Donald provided a brisk start, putting on 51 runs in 4.3 overs before falling in quick succession. Captain Harry Brook looked set to challenge the record for most international T20 runs without dismissal, contributing a rapid 23 from eight balls, which included three sixes, before he was dismissed by a diving catch from Eshan Malinga.
Tom Banton anchored the chase with an unbeaten 52 from just 24 deliveries, striking four sixes to steer his side to victory in only 12.1 overs. The win keeps England unbeaten in the format this summer. The series concludes at Old Trafford on Saturday, followed by a three-match one-day international series. The report also notes that but England’s middle order followed suit in their aggression, 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. The report also notes that and he looked on course, whacking three sixes in his 23 off just eight balls, before he was bril, captain Harry Brook needed to score 49 to break Tilak Varma’s record of 336 T20 international runs without being dismissed. The report also notes that though, as their openers started so brightly by reaching 55-0 from the first five overs, there will be added frustration from this innings.
