England returned to the top of the T20 world rankings as they earned arguably their most emphatic win yet in a series of drubbings dished out to Sri Lanka, beating the tourists by nine wickets at Emirates Old Trafford.
Off the back of 119-run and six-wicket wickets in the opening two games, Harry Brook’s side clinched a 3-0 series sweep as his 34 off 21 balls, plus Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 61 off 32 fired the hosts to their 125-run target in a mere 9.4 overs.
Aneurin Donald (13 off 6) could only manage a brief cameo with the bat for the third time in the series – stumped off Tharindu Ratnayake – while Brook was run out just shy of victory, one that Buttler clinched with a stunning one-handed six over deep midwicket to make it 15 in a row for England against Sri Lanka in T20 internationals.
The visitors had earlier been bowled out for a paltry 124 in 18.5 overs after being inserted by England, with Sonny Baker (2-17), Jofra Archer (2-23) and Will Jacks (2-31) picking up a couple apiece as the wickets were generously shared around.
Pathum Nissanka (36 off 24) had briefly given cause for optimism – despite the early wickets of Lahiru Udara (10), to a strong catch from Buttler in the swirling wind, and Kamil Mishara (2) as he cleared the rope on three occasions in the opening powerplay.
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Take a look as Harry Brook’s brilliant catch dismissed Pathum Nissanka, during England’s third T20 against Sri Lanka
Nissanka was a touch unlucky to ultimately perish in the seventh over, with Brook taking a terrific, diving catch at midwicket off one nailed out of the middle of the Sri Lankan opener’s bat.
Skipper Charith Asalanka’s innings was a sedentary 16 off 14 deliveries before being run out by Jacks – only just – after he nearly missed the stumps altogether with his take at the non-striker’s end.
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Tom Banton missed a great opportunity for a catch against Sri Lanka, as he unfortunately slipped on a drainage line at Old Trafford
Kamindu Mendis (35 off 28) struck a couple of heavy-handed blows, but he too was lacking in support and the Sri Lankan collapse was well and truly in force by the time he picked out Jacks on the deep midwicket fence.
The tourists lost their last six wickets for 17 runs in less than five overs, with Wanindu Hasaranga’s dismal departure – hit wicket off Archer after nearly swinging himself off his feet – pretty symptomatic of Sri Lanka’s struggles in the series.
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Wanindu Hasaranga’s powerful swing ended up knocking a bail off the stumps, during his side’s third T20 match against England
And they’ve got little time to rectify things for the three-match one-day international series which follows and gets under way in Durham on Tuesday.
Watch the first one-day international of the three-match series between England and Sri Lanka live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 12pm on Tuesday (first ball 12.30pm). Latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract on NOW.
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 (Sophia Gardens) – England win by six wickets
- Third T20 (Emirates Old Trafford) – England win by eight wickets
- 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)
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
