England white-ball captain Harry Brook hailed a “special, clinical performance” after England beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in Cardiff on Thursday night.
Sri Lanka batted first and made a fast start. They raced to 55 without loss after five overs.
However, Liam Dawson soon changed the game for England. The experienced spinner took three wickets for 32 runs from his four overs.
Brook praised Dawson after the match. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said:
“The way Dawson reads the game was outstanding.
“He is an awesome bowler and a great bloke. He uses all of his nous.”
Bowled over
Sri Lanka lost their openers after making their strong start. Pathum Nissanka scored 37 from 21 balls.
Lahiru Udara made 21 from 20 balls. After their dismissals, Sri Lanka struggled to maintain their early momentum.
As a result, they finished on 145 for nine from their 20 overs.
England’s bowlers shared the workload. Jamie Overton took two wickets for 23 runs.
Adil Rashid claimed one for 18. Sonny Baker also took one for 15.
Meanwhile, Jofra Archer finished with two for 34. England therefore needed 146 runs to win.
The hosts reached that target with 7.5 overs remaining.
England’s openers also made a flying start. Jos Buttler scored 30 from 16 balls.
Aneurin Donald added 21 from 13 deliveries. Together, they put on 50 runs from the first 25 balls.
However, both openers soon departed. Dushmantha Chameera dismissed Buttler, while Eshan Malinga removed Donald.
Buttler’s quick innings also produced a major milestone. He became the first player to reach 15,000 T20 runs.
His dismissal brought Brook to the crease.
Brook brilliance
Brook immediately attacked the Sri Lankan bowlers. He smashed three sixes in four balls.
However, his innings ended when he was caught on the boundary.
The dismissal ended Brook’s remarkable run of 311 runs without being dismissed in T20 internationals for England.
Jordan Cox then scored 12 from seven balls. However, Tom Banton soon took centre stage.
Banton smashed an unbeaten 52 from just 24 balls. His innings included four sixes and two fours.
As a result, England completed the chase with plenty of time to spare. The victory also sealed the three-match T20I series with one game remaining.
Banton and Brook have both impressed under specialist mentor Kevin Pietersen. The former England star joined Brendon McCullum’s coaching team before the T20I series against Sri Lanka.
KP ‘good for Banton’
Nasser Hussain also highlighted Pietersen’s influence on Banton.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Hussain said:
“Everyone talks about what [white-ball mentor] Kevin Pietersen can do for Harry Brook, but I think Pietersen could be good for Banton.
“KP raved about Banton when he came through at Somerset, but then he fell away and KP made a couple of comments saying he had to work hard.
“He has worked hard and we are now seeing the rewards of that. KP will now be saying, ‘keep improving’. That’s what great players do.”
Outstanding fightback
Brook also praised England’s response with the ball.
“It was a special performance, very clinical. Sri Lanka got off to a flier but the way we fought back with the ball was outstanding.
“Everyone bowled phenomenally and the way Banton hits different parts of the ground with the bat was great to see.
“[Buttler’s 15,000 T20 runs] is ridiculous. Long may it continue. He has been phenomenal for 15 years and someone you want by your side and in the changing room.”
England will now prepare for the third T20I. The match takes place at Old Trafford on Saturday, September 19, with a 2.30pm UK start.
After that, England and Sri Lanka will play three one-day internationals later this month.
England vs Sri Lanka white-ball fixtures
Third T20 (Saturday September 19) – Old Trafford (2.30pm)
First ODI (Tuesday September 22) – Durham (12.30pm)
Second ODI (Thursday September 24) – Headingley (12.30pm)
Third ODI (Sunday September 27) – The Kia Oval (10.30am)
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