England dominate Sri Lanka to take unassailable T20 lead
England thrashed Sri Lanka by six wickets in the second T20 international to win the series 2-0. Liam Dawson took 3-32 as Sri Lanka were limited to 145-9. England reached the target with seven overs to spare.
England's victory extends their remarkable T20 run, having won 22 of their last 25 completed matches. Tom Banton anchored the chase with an unbeaten 52 from 24 balls, including four sixes. Captain Harry Brook fell short of breaking Tilak Varma's record of 336 T20 international runs without dismissal, scoring 23 off eight deliveries before being caught.
Sri Lanka's innings mirrored their opening defeat, with a bright start undone by collapse. After reaching 55 without loss in five overs, they lost 9-90, scoring just 12 from the final four overs. Liam Dawson's two powerplay wickets proved pivotal, while Sonny Baker delivered a miserly spell including a wicket maiden.
This series result may reinforce England's growing dominance in T20 cricket, potentially influencing how other teams approach the format. The team's 88% win rate could set a benchmark that pressures rival nations to adapt their strategies. For Sri Lanka, consecutive heavy defeats may prompt introspection about their middle-order batting and death-over scoring. The result could also boost interest in England's upcoming matches, though the one-sided nature may reduce competitive tension for neutral viewers.