England beat Sri Lanka by 12 runs in a low-scoring thriller to seal a 3-0 T20 collection win of their last match earlier than the World Cup.
Sam Curran’s 58 from 48 balls led England’s restoration from 60 for six to set Sri Lanka 129 to win in Kandy, with Dushmantha Chameera’s 5 for twenty-four giving Sri Lanka hope of a comfort win within the collection.
However England’s spinners strangled Sri Lanka as Will Jacks claimed three for 14 and Jacob Bethell 4 for 11 as they recorded their lowest profitable defence in T20 cricket.
A clear sweep within the T20 collection completes a robust time in Sri Lanka for England, following the 2-1 ODI collection win, and sends them into the World Cup with optimistic momentum.
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SRI LANKA V ENGLAND 3RD T20I SCORECARD
Late begin
England fly to Mumbai on Wednesday, the place they are going to face Nepal of their match opener on Sunday.
Phil Salt went down with a again spasm within the warm-up, that means Ben Duckett – who missed the primary two matches with a bruised finger – was handed a late begin.
The left-hander lasted only one ball, trapped by an in-swinger from Chameera for a duck as Sri Lanka efficiently reviewed.
(Eranga Jayawardena/AP)
Out-of-touch
Bethell has seemed out-of-touch all through this T20 collection and endured a ragged seven deliveries earlier than swinging horribly at a slower ball from Matheesha Pathirana to be caught behind for 3.
The 22-year-old, who it additionally emerged mid-series is being investigated for his function within the Wellington nightclub incident in October, for which Harry Brook was fined, has scored a mixed 21 from three matches and will discover his World Cup beginning spot underneath menace.
Sunday’s match-winner, Tom Banton, fell for seven, bowled by Dunith Wellalage after a wild swing, bringing captain Brook to the crease at 28 for 3.
(Eranga Jayawardena/AP)
Floundering England
Brook, who had managed to efficiently sideline his off-field turmoil on this tour, was additionally undone by Pathirana as he chipped to cowl for 4.
The slingy seamer, who modelled his motion on Sri Lankan nice Lasith Malinga, grew up enjoying at Trinity Faculty right here in Kandy.
Buttler lofted a stunning six to complete the seventh over, however he too was on his approach as Maheesh Theekshana bewildered him with a googly, and he was bowled for 25, leaving England floundering at 47 for 5.
(Eranga Jayawardena/AP)
Curran lifts England from bleak place
Jacks made three earlier than he was outfoxed by Chameera’s slower ball.
Curran – hat-trick taker within the first T20 – showcased his all-round worth in a 47-run stand with Liam Dawson, which lifted England previous their lowest first-innings T20 whole of 101.
Dawson (14) and Overton (2) fell to Chameera within the 18th over and Curran reached his fifty from 44 balls earlier than additionally departing to the seamer within the last over.
From a bleak place, Curran’s innings lifted England to a aggressive 128 for 9.
England have been costly with the brand new ball, however Luke Wooden – in for the rested Jofra Archer – staked his declare by eradicating Kamil Mishara for a duck.
(Eranga Jayawardena/AP)
Bethell rips Sri Lanka’s hopes away
Jamie Overton’s first over went for 14 earlier than Pathum Nissanka fell to Dawson for a quickfire 23, however Sri Lanka have been going nicely at 62 for 2 within the ninth over.
A ripping googly from Adil Rashid bowled Pavan Rathnayake for 13 and Kusal Mendis went subsequent ball to Jacks for 26 to vary the match.
Dawson was hit for 13 within the thirteenth over earlier than Jacks trapped Kamindu Mendis and Sri Lanka have been 5 down, needing 39 from 41 balls.
Janith Liyanage was Jacks’ third sufferer for 17 and Sri Lanka wanted 21 from the final 18 balls.
However Bethell ripped Sri Lanka’s hopes away with three wickets – Wellalage, Chameera and Dasun Shanaka – within the 18th over and dismissed Theekshana to bowl the hosts out with three balls to spare.
READ MORE: Cricket news: How are England shaping up ahead of the T20 World Cup?
