Jos Buttler played a commanding unbeaten half-century as England dominated Sri Lanka by eight wickets to complete a 3-0 series sweep and reclaim the number one spot in the T20 world rankings following the final match in Manchester on Saturday.
The victory, achieved with 62 balls remaining, marked England’s 15th consecutive T20 win against Sri Lanka. Chasing a modest target of 125, England overcame an early loss when opener Aneurin Donald was stumped for 13, reaching 22-1. Buttler and captain Harry Brook then took charge, guiding the team to 82-1 by the end of the six-over powerplay.
Buttler, who recently became the first batsman to surpass 15,000 career T20 runs, celebrated his half-century with a six and sealed the win with another six, finishing with a top score of 62 from 32 balls. Brook contributed 33 runs before being run out and was named the player of the series, also finishing as the highest run-scorer overall.
“Everyone stepped up during this series,” Brook remarked. “Each game presented different challenges, and we adapted well to the conditions.”
Sri Lanka struggled with discipline, bowling nine wides, two of which reached the boundary. England, unchanged from their previous match in Cardiff, won the toss and chose to bowl first under a strong breeze at Old Trafford.
Bowling efforts from Will Jacks, Jofra Archer, and Player of the Match Sonny Baker, who each took two wickets, helped restrict Sri Lanka after their powerplay ended at 47-2. Opener Pathum Nissanka top-scored for Sri Lanka with 36 runs off 24 balls before being caught by Brook off Jacks. Kamindu Mendis added 35 runs from 28 deliveries before falling to Archer, caught by Jacks.
Wanindu Hasaranga was dismissed for seven after knocking off his own bail, while tail-ender Eshan Malinga was run out for a duck attempting a single. Sri Lanka’s captain Charith Asalanka was also run out for 16 as the team collapsed to 83-4.
Reflecting on the series, Asalanka described it as “very disappointing” in both batting and bowling departments. He emphasized the need for the team, support staff, and cricket board to unite and address the challenges facing Sri Lanka’s T20 side, acknowledging that these are the best 15 players currently available.
England had dominated the series from the start, winning the opening T20 in Southampton by 119 runs, with Brook scoring an unbeaten 114. The two teams will next face off in three one-day internationals beginning Tuesday at Durham’s Chester-le-Street ground, followed by matches at Headingley in Leeds on Thursday and The Oval in London on Sunday.
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