England completed a 3-0 T20 series sweep against Sri Lanka with a thrilling 12-run victory in Pallekele, successfully defending a modest total of 129 runs. This win boosts their momentum ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.
In a spin-dominated match, England’s top order collapsed early, with Ben Duckett dismissed for a golden duck and others falling cheaply. Sam Curran rescued the innings with a career-best 58 runs from 48 balls, guiding England to 128-9. His knock was crucial on a challenging pitch that favored bowlers.
Sri Lanka’s seam bowler Dushmantha Chameera starred with 5-24, including Curran’s wicket late in the innings. Despite the low total, England’s spinners turned the tide during the chase, taking nine wickets collectively to secure an unlikely defense.
Early in Sri Lanka’s innings, Luke Wood and Liam Dawson struck quick blows, while Adil Rashid and Will Jacks removed key batsmen Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake. At 90-4, Sri Lanka were still in contention, but Jacks broke the resistance by dismissing Kamindu Mendis and Janith Liyanage in successive overs.
Part-time spinner Jacob Bethell then seized control, taking three wickets in the 18th over to dismantle the lower order. He finished with 4-11, wrapping up the match by bowling Maheesh Theekshana, setting a new record for England’s lowest successfully defended T20 total.
England’s spinners, including Jacks (3-14), Rashid, and Dawson, exploited the conditions effectively. This collective effort underscored their adaptability and depth, with Bethell’s unexpected contribution highlighting the team’s versatility.
The series sweep extends England’s winning streak against Sri Lanka in T20s to 11 matches. Captain Harry Brook praised the team’s ability to thrive on difficult surfaces, noting the value of this experience for the World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Looking forward, England begin their World Cup campaign against Nepal on February 8, riding high on confidence. Coach Brendon McCullum will be pleased with key performances, while Sri Lanka’s captain Dasun Shanaka acknowledged areas for improvement before the global tournament.
