That brings us to the end of our coverage of the 29th match of the T20 World Cup 2021, with England emerging winners for a fourth time in as many games to become the first team to seal their place in the semis. Kudos to Sri Lanka though for pushing the Group 1 leaders all the way, and they were very much in the game till the time Hasaranga and Shanaka stuck around. They’ll be hoping to learn their lessons from this defeat and try and sign out with a win in their remaining match against West Indies. England, on the other hand, have the option of resting a player or two for their remaining group game against South Africa, though one can never be sure if the reigning ODI world champions will want to take their foot off the gas pedal at any stage during the tournament.
That brings us to the end of our coverage of this match. This is Amit Banerjee, signing off and bidding you all goodnight!
Dasun Shanaka: The bowlers been outstanding the whole tournament in the first ten overs. The experience is low. When we started batting, we knew dew would play a role. Wickets cost us the match. Six months back we were not the same team, but we have come a long way. Really happy with the way the boys are fighting.
Eoin Morgan: Incredibly proud. Liam Livingstone and Moeen Ali stepped up unbelievably well to support others with the ball. Jos Buttler played one of his best ever innings in an England shirt. Privileged to play with him and great to have him in the team. Sri Lanka have pushed us further than we have been pushed in the tournament. A combination of unbelievable skill and his calm nature. Today was a bit of a tougher test.
Jos Buttler is the Player of the Match!
Buttler: Stay patient. Managed to get a really good partnership. We were just trying to get something going. At the time we were thinking 120 might be a good score. We were trying to target the small side. Really enjoy batting with Morgs. (Running Shanaka out) Was probably the favourite bit of my day. We were under pressure for a long part in the chase. I was trying to guess where he was trying to bowl, and had batted for quite some time.
Few would say otherwise…
We’re not bad are we…#T20WorldCup #ENGvSL— England’s Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) November 1, 2021
After 19 overs,Sri Lanka 137/10 ( Lahiru Kumara 1 , )
Moeen puts the finishing touches, removing Karunaratne and Theekshana in a space of six deliveries to end with 2/15 as England hand Sri Lanka a 26-run loss to not only extend their unbeaten start and collect their fourth win on the trot, but also sealing his side’s semi-final qualification chances.
OUT! Theekshana looks to have some fun with the match virtually out of their grasp, looking to clear the wide long off fence, but ends up offering Jordan the safest of catches. Moeen Ali grabs the remaining wicket off his last delivery of the evening, sealing a 26-run win for England! SL 137 all out
Theekshana c Jordan b Moeen 2(2)
OUT! Karunaratne holes out to the man at long on to depart for a duck, leaving England needing just one more wicket to complete a fourth victory on the trot! SL 134/9
Karunaratne c Roy b Moeen 0(2)
After 18 overs,Sri Lanka 134/8 ( Chamika Karunaratne 0 , Maheesh Theekshana 0)
England effectively seal the game in Jordan’s final over of the evening, with Dasun Shanaka and Dushmantha Chameera departing in a space of five balls. Jordan signs off with 2/24 at the end of his quota, and the equation of 30 off 12 now looks near impossible with no set batter at the crease.
OUT! A second wicket for Chris Jordan off his last delivery of the evening, as Dushmantha Chameera holes out to the fielder standing in front of the boundary at deep backward square leg. SL 134/8
Chameera c Malan b Jordan 4(4)
OUT! Superb piece of work by Jos Buttler, catching Shanaka short of his crease at the striker’s end just as the Sri Lanka skipper took a couple of steps forward askng for a single! England may very well have sealed the game with the dismissal of the opposition captain. SL 130/7
Shanaka run out (Buttler) 26(25)