England completed a 3-0 T20 series sweep over Sri Lanka with a dramatic 12 run victory after successfully defending a target of 129, carrying strong momentum into the World Cup.
After a top order collapse, Sam Curran struck a career best 58 to lift England to 128 for nine, before the tourists’ spinners claimed nine wickets to bowl Sri Lanka out for 116 in Pallekele.
Will Jacks returned figures of 3-14, while Jacob Bethell ripped through the lower order with 4-11, including three wickets in one over, as Sri Lanka fell short despite appearing in control for much of the chase.
England’s innings began disastrously after choosing to bat. Ben Duckett was trapped lbw for a golden duck, while Bethell, Tom Banton and Harry Brook all departed for single figures, leaving England in deep trouble before Curran steadied the innings.
Sri Lanka, already beaten in the series, bowled with discipline on a worn surface. Dushmantha Chameera led the attack with 5-24, dismissing Curran with the penultimate ball to complete his first five wicket haul in the format.
Luke Wood and Liam Dawson struck early with the ball, before Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake fell to consecutive deliveries from Adil Rashid and Jacks. Sri Lanka reached 90 for four and remained favourites until Jacks removed Kamindu Mendis and Janith Liyanage in successive overs.
Bethell then seized control, dismissing Dunith Wellalage, Chameera and Dasun Shanaka in the 18th over. Given the final over, he removed Maheesh Theekshana to secure victory and set a new England record for the lowest total they have successfully defended in T20 cricket.
England begin their World Cup campaign against Nepal on Sunday 8 February at 09:30 GMT.
Spin the key for England victory
Having already won the one day series and taken the first two T20s, England risked stalling their World Cup build up with defeat in the final match. Instead, their spinners delivered a performance that offered promise ahead of the tournament in India and Sri Lanka.
Rashid and Dawson each finished with one for 25, but England will be encouraged by the impact of Jacks and Bethell, who outperformed the frontline spinners. On a surface offering the most turn of the series, Brook relied exclusively on spin after the powerplay, using Bethell and Jacks as his sixth and seventh bowling options.
Jacks broke a partnership of 28 by trapping Kamindu Mendis lbw before having Liyanage caught on his return. Bethell then tore through the lower order as Sri Lanka lost their final four wickets for four runs, extending their losing streak against England in this format to 11 matches.
England coach Brendon McCullum will also have been pleased with Wood, rotated in for Jofra Archer, who removed a Sri Lanka opener for a duck with the third ball of the innings.
Curran revives England’s innings
After twice chasing successfully earlier in the series, Brook opted to set a target again, but England were swiftly in trouble. Duckett, playing his first match of the series after a Phil Salt injury, was trapped lbw with the third ball of the innings.
Bethell edged behind, Banton was bowled by Dunith Wellalage and Brook chipped a catch to Liyanage as England slumped to 34 for four inside the powerplay. Jos Buttler was then bowled by Maheesh Theekshana, while Jacks became Chameera’s second victim.
Curran rebuilt calmly on a difficult pitch, reaching his half century from 44 balls. He added 47 with Dawson before the spinner was caught in the deep off Chameera. Jamie Overton fell three balls later, before Curran was caught at deep third to complete Chameera’s five wicket haul.
England were left with their lowest ever T20 score against Sri Lanka, but one they ultimately defended.
Player reaction
England captain Harry Brook said:
“That was awesome and one of the most fun wins I’ve been part of. We have shown we can adapt to different surfaces and tonight was difficult but the way Sam Curran batted was brilliant.
“The World Cup is going to be co-hosted here and when we get the opportunity to play here we can carry that experience over. It’s been an awesome tour and hopefully we’ll come back to Sri Lanka a few more times.”
Player of the match and series Sam Curran said:
“It was the third time on the same wicket. 130 felt a decent score. We had some spinners who made the difference. It was a fun game. A fantastic series win and off to Mumbai tomorrow.
“Great to be back in the side and contributing. We played well and the confidence is really good.”
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka said:
“Of course, very much disappointed. I think we could have taken it deep.
“There’s a lot of areas we need to make right at the World Cup. As the captain, I need to address the areas. We need to play a good World Cup, I definitely want to deliver something special.”
