Written by Dwayne Ferreira.
Jos Buttler struck an unbeaten 62 as England crushed Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the 3rd T20I to complete a 3-0 series sweep.
MANCHESTER – Jos Buttler struck an unbeaten 62 as England demolished Sri Lanka by eight wickets at Emirates Old Trafford, racing down a target of 125 in just 9.4 overs to complete a 3-0 T20I series sweep.
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 124 in 18.5 overs after failing to build on useful contributions from Pathum Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis. England then made the chase look routine, reaching 126 for 2 with 62 balls remaining.
Buttler was at the centre of the assault, scoring 62 not out from 32 deliveries, while captain Harry Brook struck 33 from 21 balls as Sri Lanka’s bowlers were overwhelmed.
It completed a dominant series for England, who had already secured the contest with victories in Southampton and Cardiff. England won the opening match by 119 runs before taking the second by six wickets.
Saturday’s victory also completed England’s second 3-0 T20I sweep of Sri Lanka in 2026, having won all three matches during their tour of Sri Lanka earlier in the year.
Sri Lanka Fold for 124
Sri Lanka’s top order again produced starts without converting them into the substantial scores needed to place England under pressure.
Nissanka topped the scoresheet with 36, while Kamindu made 35. Charith Asalanka added 16 and Dasun Shanaka 12, but Sri Lanka were unable to establish a partnership capable of transforming the innings.
Once England broke through, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.
Sonny Baker led the attack with 2 for 17, while Jofra Archer returned 2 for 23. Will Jacks also picked up 2 for 31, with Jamie Overton taking 1 for 15.
Sri Lanka were dismissed with seven balls of their innings unused, leaving England a required rate of only 6.25 runs per over.
Few could have expected the chase to be completed at more than twice that rate.
Buttler Tears Into Sri Lanka Attack
England immediately turned a modest chase into an exhibition of aggressive T20 batting.
Buttler attacked from the outset and never allowed Sri Lanka’s bowlers to settle, reaching his half-century before guiding England comfortably beyond the target.
Aneurin Donald contributed 13 from six balls before Tharindu Rathnayake had him stumped by Kamil Mishara.
Brook continued the assault alongside Buttler, scoring 33 from 21 deliveries before being run out with Wanindu Hasaranga involved in the dismissal.
By then, the result was little more than a formality.
Tom Banton came to the crease but did not face a delivery as Buttler finished unbeaten and England closed on 126 for 2 after 9.4 overs.
The chase ended with England scoring at more than 13 runs an over.
Sri Lanka Bowlers Put Under Heavy Pressure
Only Hasaranga managed to contain England for any sustained period.
The leg-spinner conceded just 11 runs from his two overs, an economy rate of 5.50, although he went wicketless.
Around him, the figures were punishing.
Nuwan Thushara conceded 29 from two overs, while Dilshan Madushanka went for 24 from two. Rathnayake returned 1 for 28 from two overs.
Eshan Malinga endured the most expensive spell, conceding 34 runs from 1.4 overs, an economy rate of 20.40.
Sri Lanka had entered the final match knowing the series was already lost following England’s six-wicket victory in Cardiff on Thursday. Liam Dawson’s 3 for 32 helped restrict Sri Lanka to 145 for 9 in that contest before England reached 146 for 4 in 12.1 overs.
England Complete Dominant T20I Series
England’s three victories underlined the scale of Sri Lanka’s difficulties throughout the series.
Harry Brook’s unbeaten 114 from just 49 balls had powered England to 254 for 4 in the opening match at Southampton, where Sri Lanka were dismissed for 135.
Cardiff produced another comfortable chase before Buttler completed the clean sweep in Manchester.
England had named a strong T20 squad for the series, with Donald receiving his first senior white-ball call-up and Jamie Overton returning to the side after injury.
For Sri Lanka, attention will now turn quickly to the three-match ODI series.
The first ODI is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22 at Banks Homes Riverside in Chester-le-Street, followed by matches at Headingley on September 24 and The Oval on September 27.
Match Summary
Sri Lanka — 124 all out (18.5 overs)
(Pathum Nissanka 36, Kamindu Mendis 35, Charith Asalanka 16, Dasun Shanaka 12, Sonny Baker 2/17, Jofra Archer 2/23, Will Jacks 2/31, Jamie Overton 1/15)
England — 126/2 (9.4 overs)
(Jos Buttler 62*, Harry Brook 33, Aneurin Donald 13, Tharindu Rathnayake 1/28)
Result: England won by eight wickets
Series: England won 3-0
