England completed a 3-0 T20 series sweep over Sri Lanka after a stunning fightback saw them snatch a 12-run win in a low-scoring dead rubber in Pallekele.
Harry Brook’s decision to bat first after winning the toss – having fielded first in their previous two wins – initially looked to have backfired, as England slumped to 60-6 on a slow wicket at the Pallekele Cricket Stadium.
Sam Curran top-scored with 58 from 48 deliveries, while opener Jos Buttler (25) and Liam Dawson (14) were the only other players to reach double figures, as career-best figures from Dushmantha Chameera (5-24) helped limit England to 128-9 from their 20 overs.
England’s Sam Curran (left) and Liam Dawson (right) added a 47-run stand for the seventh wicket
Sri Lanka appeared in charge until Kusal Mendis (26) and Pavan Rathnayake (13) fell in successive balls to leave them 62-4, with Will Jacks (3-14) then taking key scalps of Kamindu Mendis (14) and Janith Liyanage (17) to leave them six down and still 32 runs from victory.
The hosts’ hopes were thrown into disarray when Jacob Bethell (4-10) took three wickets in five balls, with Bethell then removing Maheesh Theekshana to see Sri Lanka bowled out for 116 during the final over.
More to follow…
England in Sri Lanka – results and fixtures
All times UK and Ireland
England’s T20 World Cup fixtures (first round)
All times UK and Ireland; all games live on Sky Sports
- vs Nepal (Sunday February 8) – Mumbai (9.30am)
- vs West Indies (Wednesday February 11) – Mumbai (1.30pm)
- vs Scotland (Saturday February 14) – Kolkata (9.30am)
- vs Italy (Monday February 16) – Kolkata (9.30am)
Watch every match of the Men’s T20 World Cup live from February 7 to March 8 on Sky Sports. Get Sky Sports or stream contract-free with NOW.
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