Numerous apologies, intense scrutiny but, still, he goes and does that. Harry Brook’s 12-ball 36 helped England chase down a revised target of 168 in the second Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka, securing the tourists’ second series victory of the week.
England had initially been set 190, but a rain break prompted a change of equation; when Brook emerged England needed 87 from 7.5 overs in a reduced game. He put on an exhibition over extra cover to turn the chase his side’s way. While the captain’s knock was brief, Tom Banton made his case for a starting spot at the World Cup, putting aside his tough time in the field to stay the course with an excellent, unbeaten on 54.
It finished with a Sam Curran smash in the final over, victory by six wickets, but the tension had gone a few overs before. Brook will head into the World Cup next week without a T20 series defeat during his reign.
England went in unchanged from the series opener, Ben Duckett out again with an injured finger. Sri Lanka, clearly confused about their best XI for the upcoming tournament, brought in Pavan Rathnayake and Dunith Wellalage, both having impressed in the one-day series.
Sri Lanka enjoyed a fine start. Pathum Nissanka upper-cut Curran and whipped Jofra Archer out of the ground, the umpire forced to pick out a new ball. Brook – two days on from his apology for lying about that night in Wellington – was proactive, calling for spin in the third over, but Nissanka swept Will Jacks away for six as the openers put on 56 for the first wicket.
Nissanka, a centurion when Sri Lanka’s Test side triumphed at the Oval in 2024, could not go on, his footwork evading him on 34 when he dragged Archer on to the stumps. That established the rhythm of the innings; none of the batters advanced to a half-century, but a succession of cameos made for a decent total.
Adil Rashid did not rip through the visitors this time but he did befuddle Dasun Shanaka: two tossed-up leg-breaks were followed by the googly, the Sri Lanka captain trapped leg-before after a hopeful swing across the line. Liam Dawson contributed the key wicket of Kusal Mendis for 32, while Jacks was wily from around the wicket, finishing with responsible figures of one for 24 from a full allotment.
The hosts welcomed the quicks, eight overs of seam conceding 103 runs. Jamie Overton’s short balls were sent for six, even when Rathnayake was rushed on the pull, the edge flying over fine leg. The Surrey quick’s anger was not quelled by Banton’s drop at short third off Rathnayake, who top-scored with a 22-ball 40.
Archer, sending down his back-of-the-hand slower ball, watched two catches go down when bowling to Charith Asalanka: Phil Salt could not hold on after making up the ground at deep point, while Banton spilled a regulation chance at deep backward square. The quick was not in the mood for celebration when he had Rathnayake caught by Jacob Bethell in the deep. In the middle of all this, the global game grew more unstable: news filtered in of Pakistan boycotting their World Cup match against India, a match down to be held in Colombo.
Salt and Jos Buttler’s opening partnership was brief, the former perishing in the first over with an uncharacteristic dab off Matheesha Pathirana. Bethell swished on 13 and edged behind off Shanaka.
Buttler – playing his 402nd game for England, a new record – looked in good touch, though, pinging the ball through point for consecutive boundaries off the lively Pathirana. The keeper and Banton got their reverse-slaps out against Wellalage but rain interrupted their stand on 57 for two, 12 runs behind the DLS par score. Out came the ground staff and those big blue sheets, the break in play lasting a little over an hour. The revised equation left 111 needed off 9.4 overs; big hits were required straight away.
There was immediate drama but it wasn’t enjoyable. Eshan Malinga thundered in for one delivery, a full toss above the waist, and fell to the ground clutching his left shoulder. The right-arm quick’s game was over.
The game continued to turn. Banton sent Wanindu Hasaranga over deep midwicket before Wellalage had Buttler caught at deep point on 39. Out came Brook, providing a leading edge off his first ball; moments later he hit his first staggering shot of the night, a flick off the left-arm spinner that had the ball screaming past the dive of long-on.
The brutality was just beginning. Brook hit three sixes off Pathirana, all pounded over the off side, channelling the energy of his 50-over century on Tuesday. The scoop against the same bowler went wrong, leading to his departure with 38 still required. But the rate had dropped significantly and Banton remained, well supported by Curran.
