Tom Banton's blistering fifty helps England thrash Sri Lanka by six wickets to seal T20I series 2-0
toi
newspoint|18-09-2026
England sealed the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka with a commanding six-wicket victory in the second match in Cardiff, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead. After Liam Dawson and Jamie Overton helped restrict the visitors to 145/9, Tom Banton produced a blistering unbeaten half-century to guide England home in just 12.1 overs.
Sri Lanka had made a promising start after being asked to bat, but England's bowlers struck at regular intervals to derail their innings. Banton then took charge of the chase, scoring an unbeaten 52 off 24 balls as England cruised to victory with 47 balls to spare.
Dawson, Overton trigger Sri Lanka collapse after brisk start
Sri Lanka looked set for a competitive total after getting off to an aggressive start. Pathum Nissanka took on Jofra Archer in the opening over, striking three boundaries, while Lahiru Udara found his rhythm after a slow start. The visitors raced to 50 midway through the fifth over, putting England under early pressure.
However, Liam Dawson turned the game around with a decisive spell during the Powerplay. The left-arm spinner struck off successive deliveries to disrupt Sri Lanka's momentum and put the brakes on their scoring rate.
Nissanka, who had scored 37, was dismissed by Jamie Overton after mistiming a slower delivery to mid-on. Overton then bowled Kamindu Mendis, while Dawson removed Dasun Shanaka to leave Sri Lanka struggling.
Captain Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga attempted to revive the innings with a 44-run partnership. Dawson conceded 18 runs in his final over as Sri Lanka briefly threatened to push towards 170.
England, however, struck back in the closing overs. Harry Brook's decision to introduce Adil Rashid paid off as the leg-spinner dismissed Asalanka. Sonny Baker followed with a wicket-maiden over, removing Hasaranga, before Archer struck twice in the final over.
Sri Lanka lost four wickets for just seven runs in the last three overs, finishing on 145/9. Dawson returned figures of 3/32, while Overton picked up two wickets for 23 runs.
Banton leads England's charge with fastest T20I fifty
England carried their aggressive approach into the chase, with Aneurin Donald taking on Dushmantha Chameera early. Jos Buttler then struck four boundaries in a Dilshan Madushanka over and became the first batter to reach 15,000 runs in T20 cricket.
Both openers fell in quick succession during the Powerplay, with Eshan Malinga dismissing Donald with a slower delivery before Chameera bounced out Buttler.
Harry Brook ensured England maintained their momentum, smashing Hasaranga for three sixes in an over. Brook's innings ended when Malinga pulled off an outstanding catch at deep square leg as the batter attempted to clear the boundary again.
Banton then took control of the chase, attacking Sri Lanka's bowlers with a series of powerful strokes. The visitors struggled to contain England's batters, particularly against their spinners, with Hasaranga enduring an expensive outing.
England crossed 120 at the end of the 10th over, with Banton taking Malinga on for consecutive sixes. Jordan Cox fell with only 10 runs remaining, but Banton soon brought up his half-century off just 24 balls.
A missed opportunity from Hasaranga, who dropped a catch off a free hit, summed up Sri Lanka's difficult evening as England completed the chase comfortably.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 145/9 in 20 overs (Pathum Nissanka 37, Charith Asalanka 31; Liam Dawson 3/32, Jamie Overton 2/23) lost to England 146/4 in 12.1 overs (Tom Banton 52*, Jos Buttler 30, Harry Brook 23; Dushmantha Chameera 1/29) by six wickets.
Sri Lanka had made a promising start after being asked to bat, but England's bowlers struck at regular intervals to derail their innings. Banton then took charge of the chase, scoring an unbeaten 52 off 24 balls as England cruised to victory with 47 balls to spare.
Dawson, Overton trigger Sri Lanka collapse after brisk start
Sri Lanka looked set for a competitive total after getting off to an aggressive start. Pathum Nissanka took on Jofra Archer in the opening over, striking three boundaries, while Lahiru Udara found his rhythm after a slow start. The visitors raced to 50 midway through the fifth over, putting England under early pressure.
However, Liam Dawson turned the game around with a decisive spell during the Powerplay. The left-arm spinner struck off successive deliveries to disrupt Sri Lanka's momentum and put the brakes on their scoring rate.
Nissanka, who had scored 37, was dismissed by Jamie Overton after mistiming a slower delivery to mid-on. Overton then bowled Kamindu Mendis, while Dawson removed Dasun Shanaka to leave Sri Lanka struggling.
Captain Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga attempted to revive the innings with a 44-run partnership. Dawson conceded 18 runs in his final over as Sri Lanka briefly threatened to push towards 170.
England, however, struck back in the closing overs. Harry Brook's decision to introduce Adil Rashid paid off as the leg-spinner dismissed Asalanka. Sonny Baker followed with a wicket-maiden over, removing Hasaranga, before Archer struck twice in the final over.
Sri Lanka lost four wickets for just seven runs in the last three overs, finishing on 145/9. Dawson returned figures of 3/32, while Overton picked up two wickets for 23 runs.
Banton leads England's charge with fastest T20I fifty
England carried their aggressive approach into the chase, with Aneurin Donald taking on Dushmantha Chameera early. Jos Buttler then struck four boundaries in a Dilshan Madushanka over and became the first batter to reach 15,000 runs in T20 cricket.
Both openers fell in quick succession during the Powerplay, with Eshan Malinga dismissing Donald with a slower delivery before Chameera bounced out Buttler.
Harry Brook ensured England maintained their momentum, smashing Hasaranga for three sixes in an over. Brook's innings ended when Malinga pulled off an outstanding catch at deep square leg as the batter attempted to clear the boundary again.
Banton then took control of the chase, attacking Sri Lanka's bowlers with a series of powerful strokes. The visitors struggled to contain England's batters, particularly against their spinners, with Hasaranga enduring an expensive outing.
England crossed 120 at the end of the 10th over, with Banton taking Malinga on for consecutive sixes. Jordan Cox fell with only 10 runs remaining, but Banton soon brought up his half-century off just 24 balls.
A missed opportunity from Hasaranga, who dropped a catch off a free hit, summed up Sri Lanka's difficult evening as England completed the chase comfortably.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 145/9 in 20 overs (Pathum Nissanka 37, Charith Asalanka 31; Liam Dawson 3/32, Jamie Overton 2/23) lost to England 146/4 in 12.1 overs (Tom Banton 52*, Jos Buttler 30, Harry Brook 23; Dushmantha Chameera 1/29) by six wickets.
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