England swept the T20 series against Sri Lanka 3-0 after a brilliant fightback to snatch a 12-point victory in a low-scoring dead rubber at Palekele.
The decision to bat first after Harry Brooke, who had batted first in the previous two wins, won the toss, initially appeared to backfire as England slumped at 60-6 on slow wicket at the Pallekele Cricket Stadium.
Sam Curran top-scored with 58 off 48 deliveries, but opener Jos Buttler (25) and Liam Dawson (14) were the only other players to reach double figures, while career-best figures from Dushmantha Chameera (5-24) helped England to 128-9 from 20 overs.
England’s Sam Curran (left) and Liam Dawson (right) score 47 runs for the seventh wicket
Sri Lanka were in control until Kusal Mendis (26) and Pavan Rathnayake (13) fell on successive balls to make it 62-4, but Will Jacks (3-14) took vital scalps from Kamindu Mendis (14) and Janice Liyanage (17), leaving them six down and still 32 points from victory.
The hosts’ hopes were dashed when Jacob Bethel (4-11) took three wickets in five balls before Bethel dismissed Mahesh Tekshana and Sri Lanka were bowled out for 116 in the final over.
England’s narrow victory was their lowest defensive success in T20 cricket and followed an 11-run (DLS), six-wicket (DLS) victory, giving them a timely boost in the series sweep ahead of this month’s T20 World Cup.
How England achieved the series sweep
Ben Duckett, brought on after Phil Salt reported back spasms during the warm-up, was trapped LBW by Chameera for a first-ball duck and Bethel (3) misjudged a slow ball and was caught behind Masisha Pathirana.
Ben Duckett was one of two changes to the England squad from Sunday’s second T20I win.
Tom Banton (7) was bowled trying to heave Wellaraju, Brook (4) chipped Liyanage at extra cover and Buttler (25) was brought down by Theekshana (1-16) on a turn delivery, leaving England reeling at 47-5.
Jacks (3) spooned a slow Chameera ball and England were in danger of recording their lowest ever T20I total, but Curran and Liam Dawson produced a 41-ball stand to push the tourists over 100 balls.
Sam Curran scores his second T20I goal in his first half-century to become England’s top scorer
Dawson (14) skied deep to Mendis and Jamie Overton (2) skied to Chameera in the same over, who completed his five-wicket haul when Curran picked third man on the penultimate ball of England’s innings.
Luke Wood, replacing the rested Jofra Archer, fired in the opening over, but Duckett made a low catch to dismiss Kamil Mishara (0), Nissanka (23) was deep and Bethel pushed the ball for three.
Luke Wood picked up a wicket early in Sri Lanka’s chase.
Nissanka’s 12-ball cameo ended when he missed Dawson and got Jacks out (3-14), Adil Rashid brilliantly removed Ratsnayake (13 balls) and Mendis’ short lob to Jacks ended a 28-run partnership that set England in motion.
Jacks got Mendis LBW and saw Liyanage sweep deep to Bethel, giving England further hope. Sri Lanka needed 21 runs in the last three overs before Bethel’s late wicket burst.
Chameera was removed for no score after Buttler took a lunging catch to get Welerage (9), Shanaka (4) was stumbled in the same Bethel over and an amazing collapse was completed when Teekshana (2) top edged to Dawson in the short third.
Brook celebrates ‘delightful win’ as England gain confidence ahead of World Cup
England captain Harry Brook: “It was a great win to be a part of and one of the most enjoyable wins we’ve ever had. It was great to see the players keep fighting and giving their all.
“We proved that we can adapt to the surface. It was a tricky pitch to bat tonight but Curran got us to some decent runs and it was great for the spinners to be able to do that against their own country, Sri Lanka.”
England spinners completely collapsed Sri Lanka from 62-2 to 1116
England’s Sam Curran, Player of the Match and Player of the Series: “I knew it would be difficult to play a third time on the same wicket, so I felt 135, 140 was a reasonable score.
“We have some great spinners and it was a really enjoyable game. We are confident (in the T20 World Cup). We have challenged in many areas on different surfaces and we should be proud of 3-0. It was a great series win.”
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka: “It’s very disappointing. We could have thought more deeply. There are a lot of positives, like Chameera and Teekshana’s bowling was good, but we need to improve in the World Cup.”
“Playing spin is a concern. That’s the mindset and we’re keen to offer something special.”
England in Sri Lanka – Match results and fixtures
always UK and Ireland
England T20 World Cup fixtures (1st round)
Always UK and Ireland. All matches will be streamed live on Sky Sports
vs Nepal (Sunday 8 February) – Mumbai (9.30am) vs West Indies (Wednesday 11 February) – Mumbai (1.30pm) vs Scotland (Saturday 14 February) – Kolkata (9.30am) vs Italy (Monday 16 February) – Kolkata (9.30am)
Watch every match of the Men’s T20 World Cup live on Sky Sports from February 7th to March 8th. Get Sky Sports now and stream without a contract.
