Buttler and Brook storm England to 3-0 sweep of Sri Lanka and top of T20 world rankings
England steamrollered Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the third T20 international at Old Trafford to complete a 3-0 series clean sweep and reclaim the number one spot in the world rankings from India.
Sri Lanka, dismissed for 124 in 18.5 overs — Pathum Nissanka top-scored with 36 from 24 balls and Kamindu Mendis made 35 from 28 — never seriously threatened, as England's pace bowlers were outstanding before the home side romped to 126 for 2 in just 9.4 overs. The victory came with 62 balls to spare, the most England have enjoyed in a home T20 international.
Seamers take the spotlight
A feature of England's success in this format has been captain Harry Brook's heavy use of spin, but on this occasion Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson sent down only four overs between them as the seamers took centre stage. Jamie Overton was the pick, conceding just 15 runs in his full allocation of four while taking a wicket — his most economical figures in a T20 international. Sonny Baker's improvement continued with 2 for 17, while Jofra Archer recovered from an opening over costing 15 to return 2 for 23, and Will Jacks chipped in with 2 for 31.
Baker, who endured difficult debuts in all three international formats yet has begun to show his potential in this series, had Lahiru Udara sky a catch to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler before returning to wrap up the innings when Dilshan Madushanka skied to Brook. Archer removed the dangerous Kamindu Mendis, caught pulling to deep midwicket for 35, then featured in a curious dismissal as Wanindu Hasaranga fell hit-wicket attempting a slog, his bat almost placed on top of the bails.
Fielding at its sharpest
England's fielding was exceptional, best demonstrated by Dawson's direct hit to run out Eshan Malinga. Brook took a sharp catch at midwicket to remove Nissanka, Rashid was alert enough to run out Charith Asalanka, and the only blemish was a Tom Banton drop as he slipped on the greasy outfield.
Captains past and present make light work
The target was never likely to challenge a batting line-up that remains powerful despite Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell being absent injured. Opener Aneurin Donald — given his chance in this series as Salt's replacement — was stumped by a distance for 13 trying to wallop Tharindu Rathnayake over long-on, but then came the Buttler-Brook show. The captains past and present, two men in supreme form, added 85 for the second wicket and turned the remainder of the chase into little more than a glorified net.
Brook was run out for 33 after attempting a single that was never there, Hasaranga fielding in his follow-through and throwing down the non-striker's stumps. Buttler finished the job in the following over, clubbing 18 from four Eshan Malinga deliveries, including two maximums hammered over the leg side, to finish unbeaten on 62 from 32 balls.
Sri Lanka were scruffy throughout, conceding 17 runs in wides, and their hapless display was epitomised when Brook should have been caught off Madushanka, only for wicketkeeper Kamil Mishara and point fielder Nissanka to look at each other as the ball dropped to the ground.
A rare problem: the wait
Watched by new Test coach Stephen Fleming, England registered their 23rd win in 26 completed T20s since Brook took charge in the summer of 2024, with Sam Curran the other senior absentee through injury. The pity for this group is a rare lengthy wait until the next global T20 tournament — the next men's T20 World Cup is not until 2028, the same year T20 cricket makes its Olympic debut. England are instead building towards a 50-over World Cup in southern Africa in the autumn of 2027, with three one-day internationals against Sri Lanka beginning in Durham on Tuesday.