England came up with a spirited performance to defeat Sri Lanka by 26 runs in the Super 12 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. As a result, England has virtually sealed its semis berth.
It was a sparkling performance from former champion England, as it beat fellow former champion Sri Lanka by 26 runs in its Group 1's Super 12 clash of the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday. With this win, England has virtually sealed its semis berth, thanks to Jos Buttler's unbeaten 101.
Winning the toss, Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka opted to bowl, as he moved in with the same team, while English captain Eoin Morgan stuck with the same XI. England started shaky, losing Jason Roy (9), Dawid Malan (6) and Jonny Bairstow (1) within the sixth over of the Powerplay, with 35 runs on the board.
FULL SCORECARD: ICC T20 World Cup 2021, England vs Sri Lanka (Super 12)
However, Jos Buttler (101*) and Morgan's (40) 112-run partnership for the fourth wicket brought England back. In the 19th over, Morgan departed to leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga. But Buttler and Moeen Ali (1*) ensured that England posted a par total of 163/4, while Buttler scored his maiden T20I century.
Lanka used six bowlers during its innings, with Hasaranga claiming three, while off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana was densely economical. In reply, it was off to a jittery start as well, losing openers Pathum Nissanka (1), Kusal Perera (7) and Charith Asalanka (21) within the sixth over of the PP, with 34 runs on the board.
ALSO READ: T20 World Cup 2021: Kapil Dev unhappy with Virat Kohli's statement post New Zealand defeat
23 runs later, Avishka Fernando (13) was trapped leg-before by pacer Chris Jordan in the ninth, while at 76, it was Bhanuka Rajapaksa (26) who fell to pacer Chris Woakes in the 11th. However, Shanaka (26) and Hasaranga (34) put on a stand of 53 for the sixth wicket to keep Lanka in the fray.
It was spinner Liam Livingstone who provided the breakthrough by getting rid of Hasaranga in the 17th, followed by an unfortunate run out to Shanaka in the subsequent over, at 130. The incoming batters departed in single figures within the consequent seven runs, as England sealed the deal by 26 runs.
ALSO READ: T20 World Cup 2021 - Gautam Gambhir slams Virat Kohli and co, says team lacks mental toughness
England put six bowlers into the attack, with Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Jordan claiming a couple each, while Rashid was the most economical one from the side.
Brief scores: England 163/4 (Buttler-101*, Morgan- 40; Hasaranga- 3/21) defeated Lanka 137 in 19 overs (Hasaranga- 34; Moeen- 2/15) by 26 runs.