England complete the T20 series against Sri Lanka as spinners shine after batting battle

England defeated Sri Lanka by 12 runs in a low-scoring thriller to seal a 3-0 T20 series victory in their final match before the World Cup.

Sam Curran’s 58 off 48 balls led England’s recovery from 60 for six to Sri Lanka 129 to win in Kandy, while Dushmantha Chameera’s five for 24 gave Sri Lanka hope of a consolation win in the series.

But England’s spinners strangled Sri Lanka as Will Jacks claimed three for 14 and Jacob Bethell four for 11 as they recorded their lowest successful defense in T20 cricket.

A clean sweep in the T20 series completes a strong time in Sri Lanka for England, following the 2-1 win in the ODI series, and sends them into the World Cup with positive momentum.

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SRI LANKA V ENGLAND 3RD T20I SCORECARD

Let’s begin

England fly to Mumbai on Wednesday, where they will play the opener of the tournament against Nepal on Sunday.

Phil Salt went down in the warm-up with a back spasm, leaving Ben Duckett – who missed the first two games with a bruised finger – a late start.

The left-hander lasted just one ball, caught by Chameera’s inswinger for a duck, as Sri Lanka successfully judged.

Contactless

Bethell seemed to be spiraling out of control during this T20 series, enduring seven messy deliveries before swinging horribly at a slower ball from Matheesha Pathirana to fall behind by three.

The 22-year-old, who also emerged midway through the series, is being investigated for his role in the Wellington nightclub incident in October for which Harry Brook was fined. He has scored a total of 21 from three games and could find his World Cup starting place under threat.

Sunday’s match winner Tom Banton fell for seven, bowled by Dunith Wellalage after a wild swing, bringing captain Brook to the crease at 28 for three.

The floundering England

Brook, who had managed to successfully sideline his off-field turmoil on this tour, was also undone by Pathirana when he covered a chip for four.

The swinging seamer, who modeled his action on Sri Lankan great Lasith Malinga, grew up playing at Trinity College here in Kandy.

Buttler scored a beautiful six to end the seventh over, but he too was on his way when Maheesh Theekshana stunned him with a googly, and he was bowled for 25, leaving England floundering at 47 for five.

Curran lifts England out of a dismal position

Jacks made it three before being outwitted by Chameera’s slower ball.

Curran – hat-trick taker in the first T20 – showed his all-round value in a 47-run stand with Liam Dawson, which took England past their lowest T20 first innings total of 101.

Dawson (14) and Overton (2) fell to Chameera in the 18th over and Curran reached his fifty off 44 balls before also departing for the seam in the final over.

From a dismal position, Curran’s innings took England to a competitive 128 for nine.

England have been expensive with the new ball, but Luke Wood – in place of the rested Jofra Archer – staked his claim by removing Kamil Mishara for a duck.

Bethell rips away Sri Lanka’s hopes

Jamie Overton’s first over went for 14 before Pathum Nissanka fell to Dawson for a quick 23, but Sri Lanka did well at 62 for two in the ninth over.

A ripping googly from Adil Rashid bowled Pavan Rathnayake for 13 and Kusal Mendis next ball went to Jacks for 26 to change the match.

Dawson was hit for 13 in the 13th over before Jacks trapped Kamindu Mendis and Sri Lanka trailed by five needing 39 off 41 balls.

Janith Liyanage was Jacks’ third victim for 17 and Sri Lanka needed 21 off the last 18 balls.

But Bethell snatched Sri Lanka’s hopes with three wickets – Wellalage, Chameera and Dasun Shanaka – in the 18th over, dismissing Theekshana to bowl out the hosts with three balls to spare.

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