ENG vs SL, 2nd T20I: England seals series with crushing six-wicket win

Liam Dawson was named Player of the Match for his three-wicket haul. | Photo Credit: Reuters

England confirmed a series victory over Sri Lanka with a comfortable six-wicket win in the second T20I at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Thursday.

Liam Dawson (three for 30) and Jamie Overton (two for 23) were the stars with ball in hand before Tom Banton’s unbeaten 52 from 24 balls helped England haul down its target with just under seven overs to spare.

After being inserted to bat by the host, Sri Lanka got off to a strong start as Pathum Nissanka and Lahiru Udara added 50 inside the first five overs. However, the positivity was ended by Dawson, who dismissed Udara and Kamil Mishara in consecutive balls of the final over of the first six to haul Sri Lanka back.

Overton continued the good work, dismissing star batters Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis through the middle before Adil Rashid, Sonny Baker, and Jofra Archer returned to close out the innings.

Sri Lanka added just 12 runs from the final four overs as it limped to 145 for nine in its 20 overs.

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England’s chase was kickstarted by a flying start from openers Jos Buttler and Aneurin Donald, who added 50 in the first five overs. Buttler also usurped Kieron Pollard to become the leading run-scorer in T20 cricket.

Both batters fell in quick succession but captain Harry Brook kept the momentum going with an eight-ball 23 before Banton took over with his fifth T20I fifty.

The final T20I is in Manchester on Saturday, followed by three ODIs beginning on Tuesday.