England swept Sri Lanka 3-0 to replace India at the top of the T20I rankings

ByTech Word News

Image credit: England Cricket England beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the third T20I at Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday to complete the series 3-0.The hosts were chasing Sri Lanka’s target of 125 runs with 62 balls to spare. The win also helped England move back to the top of the T20 world rankings, replacing India.It was England’s 15th T20 win over Sri Lanka in a row.

Buttler leads an easy chase

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 124 with seven balls to spare in their innings.Pathum Nissanka top-scored with 36 off 24 balls while Kamindu Mendis made 35 off 28. Will Jacks, Jofra Archer and man of the match Sonny Baker took two wickets each for England.England lost opener Aneurin Donald for 13 but Jos Buttler and Harry Brook quickly took control.Buttler smashed an unbeaten 62 off 32 balls while Brook made 33. England reached 126-2 in just 9.4 overs.Buttler had earlier become the first batsman to amass 15,000 career T20 runs on Thursday.

Brook, Asalanka reflect on the series

Brook finished as top scorer and was named player of the series.“I think everybody stepped up this series,” Brook said. “Every game has been a little different and we play the conditions extremely well.Sri Lanka’s bowling also struggled, giving away nine wides, including two that were for four.Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka termed the series as a big disappointment for his team.“A very disappointing series for us in both major departments, batting and bowling… it’s an important eye-opener for us as to where we are in T20 cricket right now compared to the best teams in the world,” Asalanka said.“It’s time to come together as players, support staff and also our Sri Lanka Cricket Board to find a solution to these T20 issues. These are the top 15 players at the moment so we need to find a solution the right way.”England won the first T20I at Southampton by 119 runs with Brook scoring an unbeaten 114.England next face Sri Lanka in three ODIs, starting at Durham’s Chester-le-Street on Tuesday.