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29 March 2024

Buttler, Morgan lead England to crushing T20 win

England’s Jos Buttler in action. (Action Images via Reuters)

Published
By Cricket Correspondent and Agencies

A fluent unbroken third-wicket partnership of 114 between Jos Buttler and Eoin Morgan carried England to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in a one-off Twenty20 international on Tuesday.

Buttler made an unbeaten 73 and captain Morgan hit 47 not out as the hosts eased to their target of 141 with more than two overs to spare.

England, who won the test series between the teams 2-0 and took a rain-disrupted one-day international contest 3-0, continued their complete dominance of the Sri Lankans with a ruthless performance.

Sri Lanka never looked like posting an imposing total after winning the toss, opener Dhanushka Gunathilaka top-scoring with 26 as England took wickets at regular intervals.

Left-arm spinner Liam Dawson completed excellent figures of three for 27 on his debut and the hosts looked sharp in the field, good work by Jason Roy and James Vince leading to run-outs.

England lost Roy in the first over and Vince fell for 16 but Buttler, promoted to open the innings, struck four sixes and three fours to keep his team in control and Morgan clinched the win with a big six over mid-wicket off Ramith Rambukwella.

"I'll bat wherever the team wants me to bat. It's something I really want to develop, the longer I can bat, the more runs I can get," Buttler said.

Morgan was delighted with his team's performance in the field.

"Tonight, our fielding peaked, we were hitting the stumps for fun. We've spoken about fielding, it's the one thing in cricket you can control," he said.

"We have athletes in the field and we must use those as much as we can."

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews reflected on a disappointing tour.

"We showed fight in bits and pieces. We were not consistent enough," he said.

"That is something we need to work on. There are positives. Unfortunately we didn't have the bowling to put pressure on."

England thrashed Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the only T20 international on Wednesday.

Chasing a target of 141, skipper Morgan hammered a six off Rambukwelle to seal victory in the 18th over.

England finished on 144-2 in 17.3 overs with Morgan remaining unbeaten on 47 and Jos Buttler 73 not out being associated in a partnership of 114 off 74 balls.

Sri Lanka are bowled out for 140 with Jordan and Dawson claiming three wickets apiece.

Jordan strikes on his return as Chandimal lofts him straight to Morgan who leaves the field with an injured finger. SL 129-8, 17.2 overs.

Dinesh Chandimal c Morgan b Jordan 23 (22b 1x4 1x6)

Prasanna does not last long. SL 122-7, 15.5 overs.

Seekkuge Prasanna c Buttler b Plunkett 1 (3b)

Another run out as Vince nails Rambukwelle with a direct hit. SL 106-6, 14.2 overs.

Ranith Rambukwella run out 19 (16b 1x4 1x6)

Dawson returns excellent figures of 3 for 27 on his T20 debut. SL 91-5, 13 overs.

Sri Lanka are in deep trouble as Shanaka is run out failing to beat Roy's throw. SL 82-5, 10.4 overs.

Dasun Shanaka run out 1 (1b)

Dawson is on a roll getting the big wicket of Mathews who sweeps and misses. SL 81-4, 10.3 overs.

Angelo Mathews b Dawson 11 (10b 1x4)

Dawson picks up his second wicket as Mendis drives back to the bowler. SL 74-3, 8.5 overs.

Kusal Mendis c & b Dawson 21 (16b 1x6)

Gunathilaka fails to clear long-off. SL 59-2, 7 overs.

Danushka Gunathilaka c Jordan b Dawson 26 (16b 4x4)

Jordan goes for 20 in the final over of Powerplay with Mendis hoisting the first maximum over backward square leg while Gunathilaka cracks two boundaries. SL 51-1, 6 overs.

Plunkett draws first blood with Kusal being undone by a short pitched delivery. SL 17-1, 3 overs.

Kusal Perera c Mills b Plunkett 13 (15b 1x4)

Kusal gets the first boundary of the match drilling Mills through the covers with the ball limping past the ropes. SL 11-0, 2 overs.

Sri Lanka have won the toss and elected to bat in the only T20 international against England  at Southampton on Tuesday.

England won both the Test and one-day series.

Teams

England: Jos Buttler, Jason Roy, James Vince, Eoin Morgan, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Billings, L Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Chris Jordan, T Mills

Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, K Bandara, Ranith Rambukwella, Seekkuge Prasanna, Nuwan Pradeep, Farveez Maharoof