England Return to T20 Summit After Completing Sri Lanka Whitewash

LONDON: (Sports Desk) – England returned to the top of the T20 world rankings after completing a 3-0 series whitewash against Sri Lanka with a dominant eight-wicket victory at Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday.

The hosts wrapped up the series in emphatic fashion after earlier victories by 119 runs in Southampton and six wickets in Cardiff.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 124, with Sonny Baker, Jofra Archer and Will Jacks taking two wickets each.

England then chased down the modest target in less than 10 overs. Jos Buttler remained unbeaten on 62 after sharing an 85-run partnership with captain Harry Brook, while new England Test coach Stephen Fleming watched from the sidelines.

The victory extended England’s impressive record to 23 wins in their last 26 T20 internationals.

The result also lifted England back above world champions India at the top of the T20 rankings. The two sides have exchanged the No. 1 position three times over the past two months.

“Being back at world number one in T20s is an amazing achievement and one everyone should be really proud of,” Brook said. “Everyone stepped up, especially lads who haven’t played as much.”

Baker, featuring in only his third T20 international for England, produced another impressive spell, taking 2-17 in 3.5 overs.

“For Sonny Baker to bowl three overs in the powerplay in two games is an amazing achievement, not going for many runs and taking wickets,” Brook said.

There have been concerns about Brook’s workload because of his commitments across all three international formats. However, the 27-year-old, who scored 170 runs during the series, said he remains eager to represent England as often as possible.

“I want to play as much cricket as I can for England. That is my main priority and why I don’t play franchise cricket,” Brook said.

He added that England wanted to develop the ability to win even when conditions were not in their favour.

Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka described the series as disappointing and acknowledged that his team had been exposed in both batting and bowling.

“A very disappointing series for us with both batting and bowling,” Asalanka said. “It was an important eye-opener for us of where we stand in T20 cricket compared to the best teams in the world.”

Sri Lanka will now look to bounce back when the teams meet in the first of three one-day internationals at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday.