England beat Sri Lanka in the third T20I at Old Trafford, securing a 3-0 series win. The victory returned England to the top of the world T20I rankings, overtaking India.
Sri Lanka scored 124 runs, losing all wickets in 18.5 overs. Nissanka was the top scorer for Sri Lanka with 36 runs from 24 balls, while K Mendis added 35 from 28 balls. The bowlers were effective: Baker took 2-17, Archer 2-23, and Jacks 2-31. Jamie Overton received only 15 runs in his four overs and took a wicket, his most economical figures in a T20I. Liam Dawson was run out by direct hit.
England responded with 126 for 2 in just 9.4 overs. Buttler finished unbeaten on 62 from 32 balls, and Brook scored 33 from 21 balls. The pair had a second-wicket stand of 85 runs. Brook was eventually run out for 33. Buttler finished on 61, hitting six sixes. England won by eight wickets with 62 balls remaining, the largest margin for England in a home T20I.
The match was attended by the new head coach of the test side, Stephen Fleming. England were weakened by the absence of injured players Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, and Sam Curran. Aneurin Donald, who had scored 21 in the series, was dismissed. Adil Rashid and Dawson bowled only four overs together. Rashid bowled out Charith Asalanka.
After the first over, in which 15 runs were conceded, Baker forced Lahiru Fernando to hit high. Baker took the final wicket as Dilshan Madushanka was caught. Archer took Kamindu Mendis, who pulled the ball to deep mid-wicket for 35. Archer’s second wicket was Wanindu Hasaranga, who was caught off a hit. Tom Banton dropped a catch on slippery grass. Brook took a sharp catch at mid-wicket to dismiss Pathum Nissanka for 36. Donald was stumped off a wide ball. Sri Lanka conceded 17 runs in wide balls. Brook was caught by Madushanka, but the wicketkeeper and point fielder looked at each other as the ball fell. Buttler hit 18 runs off four balls, with two sixes over the leg side.
This was England’s 23rd win in 26 finished T20I matches since Brook took charge in the summer of 2024. The next men’s T20 World Cup will not take place until 2028. T20 cricket will debut at the 2028 Olympics. England are building towards the 50-over World Cup in South Africa in the autumn of 2027. Three one-day international matches against Sri Lanka begin in Durham on Tuesday.
