England crush Sri Lanka to seal T20 series win

September 17, 2026

England wrapped up the T20 series against Sri Lanka with a match in hand, securing a dominant six-wicket victory in Cardiff to move 2-0 ahead. The tourists initially reached 55 without loss after five overs, aided by Pathum Nissanka's 37 off 21 balls, before crumbling to 145-9.

Liam Dawson initiated the collapse with two strikes late in the powerplay on his way to figures of 3-32, while Jamie Overton claimed 2-23 and Sonny Baker delivered an economical 1-15, which featured a 19th-over wicket maiden. Sri Lanka lost nine wickets for 90 runs and managed just 12 runs across the last four overs, following up on their opening-game tally of 135.

The chase proved straightforward, with England reaching 146-4 in merely 12.1 overs to remain undefeated in short-format matches this summer. Jos Buttler's 30 and Aneurin Donald's 21 laid the foundation with a 51-run opening partnership inside five overs, before Milan Rathnayake claimed a breakthrough.

Skipper Harry Brook fell for a rapid 23 from eight deliveries—featuring three maximums—short of eclipsing Tilak Varma's 336-run record for the most T20 international runs without being dismissed, courtesy of a spectacular diving catch by Eshan Malinga. Tom Banton anchored the rest of the reply by hitting four sixes in an unbeaten 52 from 24 deliveries, helping Brendon McCullum's team extend their streak to 22 victories in their past 25 completed T20s ahead of the series finale at Old Trafford and three ensuing one-day internationals.