‘Tonight was special’: Ex-BBL gun blasts ‘awesome’ international/england-set-to-dethrone-india-as-no-1-t20i-team/” title=”England set to dethrone India as No.1 T20I staff”>England to series-clinching T20 win
Steve Smith opens up on ‘Sandpaper’ Gate | 06:20
AFP from AfpSeptember 18th, 2026 7:35 am
England made fast work of defeating Sri Lanka by six wickets in the second Twenty20 in Cardiff on Thursday to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in a three-match series.
Tom Banton top-scored with 52 not out off simply 24 balls, together with four sixes, as England reached a target of 146 with nearly eight overs to spare at Sophia Gardens.
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Following England’s 119-run rout of Sri Lanka in Tuesday’s first T20 in Southampton, this was one other lopsided contest.
Jos Buttler and England captain Harry Brook, recent from their 80 and 114 not out respectively on Tuesday, bought the home facet’s pursuit off to a typically dashing start, with England 79-3 in seven overs.
But it surely was England’s efficiency in the subject that laid the foundation for their 14th successive T20 win over Sri Lanka ahead of Saturday’s series finale at Outdated Trafford.
Sri Lanka, sent into bat by Brook, have been well-placed at 56-0 at the finish of the powerplay.
But their innings then fell away, with left-arm spinner Liam Dawson taking 3-32, together with two wickets in two balls, and quick bowler Jofra Archer placing twice in the last over as Sri Lanka have been held to a lowly 145-9.
“Tonight was a special efficiency, very clinical,” stated Brook, who took a mere eight balls for his 23, at the presentation ceremony.
“Sri Lanka bought off to a flyer however the way we fought back with the ball was outstanding.
“The best way Dawson reads the sport was outstanding, too. He’s an awesome bowler and an important bloke. He makes use of all of his nous.
“Everybody bowled phenomenally and the way Banton hits completely different parts of the ground with the bat was great to see.”
A modest Dawson, the player-of-the-match, added: “I simply tried to keep it simple, bowling good lines and lengths… Coming to Cardiff, you recognize the boundaries are big square so I bowl into the wicket. I like bowling right here.”
Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka made no attempt to hide his feelings ahead of a three-match one-day international series with England, saying: “It was a very disappointing efficiency. We have been in the recreation in the powerplay however then gave wickets at common intervals.
“I believe England have been too good however we have to improve as we are not on top of things.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au
