England secured a narrow victory against Sri Lanka in the opening match of their T20 series, thanks to the outstanding performances of Adil Rashid and Sam Curran. The match, held at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, saw Rashid shine with impressive bowling figures of three wickets for just 19 runs, leading to a dramatic collapse in the Sri Lankan batting order, which lost five wickets for a mere 22 runs.
Set a revised target of 134 runs in a rain-affected contest reduced to 17 overs, England’s batting was spearheaded by Phil Salt, who scored 46 runs. Tom Banton contributed significantly with a quick-fire 29 runs off just 15 balls, alleviating the pressure during the middle overs. However, the match took a tense turn as rain resumed when England needed nine runs from the final 12 balls. Ultimately, they clinched the victory by 11 runs according to the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method.
The weather played a significant role in the game, with unseasonal rain leading to the loss of six overs before play began. England had already confirmed their lineup the night before, which featured the return of Jofra Archer after a lengthy absence. Despite a shaky start, with Curran giving away runs in his initial overs, it was the partnership of Rashid and Liam Dawson that turned the tide, as they decimated the Sri Lankan middle order.
Dawson’s contribution was also noteworthy, taking two wickets for 31 runs. Although Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka briefly challenged England’s domination with his innings of 20, Curran’s late hat-trick sealed Sri Lanka’s fate, making him only the second Englishman to achieve a T20 hat-trick.
Phil Salt faced Sri Lanka for the first time and showcased a fearless approach at the crease, attacking with aggressive shots. However, the English side encountered setbacks with the loss of key players like Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell to Sri Lankan bowler Eshan Malinga, who showcased his skill with vital dismissals. Banton’s late flourish, along with a couple of missed chances in the field by Sri Lanka, enabled England to secure their lead in the series.
This match sets a promising tone for England as they look forward to further contests in the series, demonstrating resilience and showcasing their depth in bowling and batting, highlighting the players’ potential as they gear up for the upcoming World Cup.