Tom Banton underlined his World Cup credentials by firing England to a series-clinching six-wicket DLS victory within the second T20 in opposition to Sri Lanka in Kandy.
England have been set a difficult revised goal after rain interrupted their chase of 190, however Banton crashed 54 from simply 33 balls to clinch an unassailable 2-0 lead within the collection.
The 27-year-old is probably going competing for his spot at quantity 4 with Ben Duckett – absent with a finger damage – when England open their T20 World Cup marketing campaign on February 8.
Pavan Rathnayake’s 40 led Sri Lanka to a powerful 189 for fiv,e however they may not halt England’s firepower within the closing levels.
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Particular evening
It was a particular evening for Jos Buttler, who broke James Anderson’s report of England appearances throughout all codecs along with his 402nd cap.
England’s victory within the series-opener on Friday was overshadowed after captain Harry Brook issued a press release admitting he had lied when he stated he was on his personal in the course of the altercation with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand, for which he was fined.
England’s World Cup preparations in Sri Lanka have in any other case gone effectively – with T20 victory backing up their ODI collection win in Colombo.
Buttler has performed 57 Assessments, 199 ODIs and now 146 T20 matches and is England’s report run-scorer within the shortest format.
(AP Photograph/Eranga Jayawardena)
Testing chase
Starting England’s testing chase, Buttler eased his first two balls for 4 however quickly misplaced his opening accomplice as Phil Salt chipped Matheesha Pathirana to brief third for one.
Bethell edged behind for 13 as England reached 57 for 2 when heavy rain started, 12 shy of the DLS par rating.
After an hour-and-13-minute delay, England’s goal was revised to 168 in 17 overs – that means they wanted 111 from simply 58 balls.
Eshan Malinga injured himself with the primary ball earlier than Buttler’s cost was ended on 39 as he sliced Dunith Wellalage and Rathnayake brilliantly caught him within the deep.
(AP Photograph/Eranga Jayawardena)
Stake his declare
Banton cracked his third large six earlier than Brook took over, pulling Wanindu Hasaranga throughout the rope earlier than launching Pathirana for 2 extra within the following over.
He decreased England’s goal to a manageable 38 from 27 balls when he paddled Pathirana to Hasaranga to depart for 36 from 12 deliveries.
Banton reached fifty from 29 balls to stake his declare for a World Cup beginning spot as he and Sam Curran guided England over the road with two balls to spare.
(AP Photograph/Eranga Jayawardena)
Bowled
Brook had earlier gained the toss and selected to bowl.
Curran claimed England’s second T20 hat-trick on Friday, however solely after his first two overs went for 35 and he fared little higher with the brand new ball right here as his opener disappeared for 14.
Pathum Nissanka crashed Jofra Archer’s second ball out of the stadium and Sri Lanka have been on 35 after two overs.
Nissanka raced to 34 earlier than he was bowled by Archer, however Kamil Mishara and Kusal Mendis steered Sri Lanka to 102 for one at midway.
Will Jacks eliminated Mishara for 36, however Jamie Overton’s second over went for 21 – Rathnayake hitting a six and 4 from his first two balls earlier than being dropped by Banton.
Considerations
Mendis fell to Liam Dawson for 32 and Adil Rashid bamboozled Dasun Shanaka with a googly, trapped lbw for one.
Rathnayake made 40 from 22 balls as he and Charith Asalanka (28) lifted Sri Lanka to an imposing rating.
England, with the World Cup in thoughts, might have considerations over their seam assault with Archer, Curran and Overton’s mixed eight overs leaking 103.
READ MORE: Sam Curran takes hat-trick as England win opening T20 against Sri Lanka
