England won the third and final T20 international against Sri Lanka by 89 runs to complete a 3-0 clean sweep at the Southampton’s Hampshire Bowl.
The Eoin Morgan-led side ticked all the boxes and rode on outstanding performances from Dawid Malan and David Willey to register their fourth biggest win in terms of runs in the shortest format of the game.
While chasing 181, Kusal Perera & Co. were bowled out for a paltry 91 in 18.5 overs with Willey grabbing 3 wickets while Sam Curran picked 2 scalps.
Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone and Moeen Ali also contributed with a wicket each.
Both the team will now face each other in a three-match ODI series, starting from Tuesday (June 29).
“Opening is the place, breaking into this team is tough enough and I’m just happy to fill in the spot,” Malan said after being named as the ‘Player of the Match’.
Malan came into the English squad after a bit of criticism as he had a string of low scores in the last seven T20Is. Therefore, he wanted to prove a point to his critics with a knock like this.
“Just to break into this team is tough enough, happy to fill in… I like proving a point, so I like to show people who seem to have their opinions. I’d like to play all three formats but that’s above my pay-cheque,” the No. 1 ranked T20I batsman added.
Brief scores: England 180-6 in 20 overs (Dawid Malan 76, Jonny Bairstow 51; Dushmantha Chameera 4/17) beat Sri Lanka 91 in 18.5 overs (Binura Fernando 20; David Willey 3/27, Sam Curran 2/14) by 89 runs.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Sam doing what he does best! 🔥
2⃣/1️⃣4️⃣#ENGvSL #WhistlePodu #Yellove 🦁💛 @CurranSMpic.twitter.com/rtyCYpoHLv
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) June 26, 2021
The most economical four-over spell for 🏴 in men's T20Is. Take a bow, @ChrisWoakes 💙#ENGvSL pic.twitter.com/ENKo6c7yQE
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) June 26, 2021
Sri Lanka all out for 91!
As @daniel86cricket usually connects the dots, this was in dedication to the number of games India has won against Sri Lanka in ODIs.#ENGvSL
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) June 26, 2021
Remember that these guys scored 200+ and chased in the warmup game
That is the best 24 players in the country who are now struggling to cross 120 against world class attacks
Now think of the quality of the domestic Cricket when these players are divided into 24 teams. #ENGvSL
— Chathura Kumarasinghe (@chathudk) June 26, 2021
Highest % of T20I innings with 50+ scores:-
[min. 10 scores of 50+]44.4% Dawid Malan*
36.5% Babar Azam
33.3% Virat Kohli
31.1% KL Rahul
26.3% Chris Gayle
25.2% Rohit Sharma#ENGvSL— ComeOn Cricket 🏏🇮🇳 (@ComeOnCricket) June 26, 2021
⚪ 58.5 overs
🏏 331 runs
⏺ 173 dot balls
☝ 24 wicketsUnit 👌 pic.twitter.com/SqeSP5DiBo
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 26, 2021
Lowest scoring rate for a team in a T20I series (3+ matches)
5.60 SL vs Ind in Ind, 2016
5.62 SL vs Eng in Eng, 2021 *
5.83 Pak vs Aus in UAE, 2012
6.05 WI vs Pak in UAE, 2016
6.06 SL vs Aus in Aus, 2019# Full Member sides#ENGvsSL
— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) June 26, 2021
Sam Curran is player of the series. 🦁🔥#WhistlePodu | @ChennaiIPL | #ENGvSL pic.twitter.com/bz2xfVpba4
— CSK Fans Army™ (@CSKFansArmy) June 27, 2021
T20i – Under the Coach Mickey Arthur
Matches 12
Won 1
Lost 10
NR 1
Lost 4 Series #ENGvSL ⚾️🏏🇱🇰 pic.twitter.com/yCXevzRYnK
— DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda) June 26, 2021
🏴 JOB DONE 🏴 pic.twitter.com/eUvG4kXHzV
— England's Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) June 26, 2021