England moved above India to become the world No 1 T20 side after Jos Buttler ended the third match at Old Trafford with a one-handed six, securing an eight-wicket victory with 10.2 overs to spare and completing a series whitewash of Sri Lanka.
The victory was another in a dominant run under Harry Brook, marking his 23rd win in 26 completed matches since he became captain. An unchanged England side controlled the game across the park, the bowlers constraining Sri Lanka and the batters finishing with room to spare in warm autumn sunshine.
England’s fielding and bowling set the tone. Sonny Baker drew praise for figures of two for 17 from his 3.5 overs, and Jamie Overton delivered a tight four-over spell, one for 15. Fielding moments included a run-out of Eshan Malinga that owed as much to placement as to pressure, and a double-handed diving catch by Harry Brook at short midwicket to remove Pathum Nissanka.
Aneurin Donald produced three crisp fours but was later stumped after charging at Tharindu Ratnayake, bringing Brook to the crease. Brook scored 33 off 21 balls before being run out by a sharp throw from Hasaranga. Buttler meanwhile accelerated, reaching a fifty off 30 balls and dispatching Malinga with a series of powerful strokes before the one-handed six that ended the match.
Sri Lanka’s innings unravelled under pressure, a sequence marked by wides, misfields, two run-outs and a bizarre hit-wicket when Hasaranga’s follow-through knocked a bail off. There were seven sixes in their innings, including attempts by Nissanka and others, but errors proved costly.
Among the spectators, Stephen Fleming, freshly unveiled as England’s Test coach, watched as colleagues Brendon McCullum and Kevin Pietersen chatted on the outfield. England now move on to three one-day internationals against Sri Lanka.
