Tom Banton puts World Cup claim on the line as England win T20 series against Sri Lanka

Tom Banton underlined his World Cup credentials by firing England to a six-wicket DLS victory in the second T20 against Sri Lanka in Kandy.

England were handed a challenging revised target after rain interrupted their chase of 190, but Banton crashed 54 from just 33 balls to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

The 27-year-old is likely to battle for his place at number four with Ben Duckett – absent with a finger injury – when England open their T20 World Cup campaign on February 8.

Pavan Rathnayake’s 40 guided Sri Lanka to an impressive 189 for five, but they could not hold off England’s firepower in the closing stages.

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Special evening

It was a special night for Jos Buttler, who broke James Anderson’s record for England appearances across all formats with his 402nd cap.

England’s victory in the series opener on Friday was overshadowed after captain Harry Brook issued a statement admitting he had lied when he said he was alone during the altercation with a New Zealand nightclub bouncer for which he was fined.

England’s World Cup preparations in Sri Lanka have continued well – with the T20 win backing up their ODI series win in Colombo.

Buttler has played 57 Tests, 199 ODIs and now 146 T20 matches and is England’s record scorer in the shortest format.

Test pursuit

At the start of England’s Test chase, Buttler eased his first two balls for four but soon lost his opening partner when Phil Salt dismissed Matheesha Pathirana to third for one.

Bethell fell behind by 13 as England reached 57 for two when heavy rain started, 12 short of the DLS par score.

After a delay of an hour and 13 minutes, England’s target was revised to 168 in 17 overs – meaning they needed 111 from just 58 balls.

Eshan Malinga injured himself on the first ball before Buttler’s charge was ended on 39 when he cut through Dunith Wellalage and Rathnayake brilliantly caught him in the deep.

Stake his claim

Banton smashed his third huge six before Brook took over and pulled Wanindu Hasaranga over the rope before launching Pathirana for two more in the next over.

He reduced England’s target to a manageable 38 off 27 balls when he paddled Pathirana to Hasaranga to depart from 12 deliveries to 36.

Banton reached fifty from 29 balls, securing his claim for a World Cup starting place, as he and Sam Curran guided England over the line with two balls to spare.

Bowled

Brook had previously won the toss and chose to bowl.

Curran claimed England’s second T20 hat-trick on Friday, but it was only after his first two overs were 35 that he fared slightly better with the new ball here as his opener disappeared for 14.

Pathum Nissanka crashed Jofra Archer’s second ball out of the stadium and Sri Lanka were 35 after two overs.

Nissanka raced to 34 before being bowled by Archer, but Kamil Mishara and Kusal Mendis steered Sri Lanka to 102 for one at mid-on.

Will Jacks removed Mishara for 36, but Jamie Overton’s second over went for 21 – Rathnayake hitting a six and four from his first two balls before being dropped by Banton.

To assure

Mendis fell to Liam Dawson for 32 and Adil Rashid deceived Dasun Shanaka with a googly, caught lbw for one.

Rathnayake made 40 off 22 balls as he and Charith Asalanka (28) lifted Sri Lanka to an impressive score.

England, with the World Cup in mind, could be concerned about their seam attack, with the combined eight overs of Archer, Curran and Overton leaking 103.

READ MORE: Sam Curran takes a hat-trick as England win their opening T20 match against Sri Lanka