Cricket Mar 15, 2026

Sri Lanka vs England: Jos Buttler breaks appearance record as Harry Brook and Tom Banton seal T20 series win

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Sri Lanka vs England: Jos Buttler breaks appearance record as Harry Brook and Tom Banton seal T20 series win

Jos Buttler's record-setting 402nd England appearance came in a series-sealing victory as captain Harry Brook's cameo and Tom Banton's half-century smoked the tourists to a six-wicket win in a rain-cut second T20 in Sri Lanka.

Buttler's number of international matches, which comprises 57 Tests, 199 ODIs and 146 T20Is, eclipses the 401 amassed by James Anderson.

The 35-year-old (39 off 29 balls) hit six fours as England successfully chased a revised 168 from 17 overs, having been set 190 for victory before rain stalled their knock at 57-2 after the first 7.2 overs.

Brook - - muscled four sixes in a 12-ball 36, while Banton (54no off 33) biffed seven boundaries, and perhaps booked his spot in the T20 World Cup XI, as England reached their target with two balls to spare thanks to Sam Curran's (20no off 14) game-ending maximum.

Sri Lanka were hampered by a shoulder injury to Eshan Malinga in the first over after the restart, with the seamer not seen again as the away side smashed his team-mates all over the park having required 111 from 58 balls once play resumed.

England won a rain-affected opening game on Friday and the aim now will be to complete a 3-0 sweep with victory in the third and final T20 on Tuesday, also in Pallekele, before beginning their T20 World Cup campaign against Nepal in Mumbai on Sunday February 8.

Sri Lanka - co-hosting the T20 World Cup with India - posted 189-5 against England, looting a combined 103 runs from eight overs against the seam of Curran (0-31 from two overs), Jofra Archer (2-42 from four) and Jamie Overton (0-30 from two).

The hosts found it much tougher against the spin of Will Jacks (1-25), Adil Rashid (1-24) and Liam Dawson (1-32), all of whom bowled their full allocation of four overs.

Pavan Rathnayake (40 off 22) - left out of the opening T20 despite a century in the final one-day international between the sides last week - top-scored, having been dropped on 12 by Banton.

Five of Sri Lanka's top six cantered past 20 and scored at well over a run-a-ball - the only exception was skipper Dasun Shanaka (1), who fell lbw looking to hack a Rashid googly across the line - but only Rathnayake made it out of the 30s.

Kusal Mendis (32 off 17) followed openers Pathum Nissanka (34 off 22) and Kamil Mishara (36 off 30) in falling after a rapid start - Nissanka and Mishara blazing 56 for the first wicket inside the powerplay as England's pacers got pummelled.

Charith Asalanka hit 28 not out off 22 balls after being grassed by Banton at deep square in the final over, with the same batter also reprieved while on 11 in the 17th with Phil Salt unable to keep hold of what would have been a stunning diving grab in the off-side.

Salt sliced Matheesha Pathirana (2-47) to slip in the first over of the chase, after Buttler had smoked back-to-back boundaries, while Jacob Bethell (13 off 11) -- snicked Shanaka (1-24) behind in the fifth.

Banton was at the crease with Buttler when the heavens opened, reverse-sweeping a superb six over backward point early on, and he continued to flourish once the rain relented.

The Somerset man is probably only playing due to Ben Duckett's finger injury but has now given England plenty to ponder ahead of the World Cup campaign, which you can watch live on Your Site.

Banton and Curran concluded the innings after Buttler was pouched at deep cover off Dunith Wellalage (1-30) and Brook scooped Pathirana into the deep following brief but scintillating knock.

England captain Harry Brook:

"I thought we played outstandingly. We adapted to conditions with the bat exceptionally well and to get over the line and win the series is awesome. The more time we get out in the middle stands us in good stead going into the World Cup.

"The way that Banton played was awesome and we could not ask for anything more. We have got plenty of batting in there and we backed ourselves to chase that any day."

All times UK and Ireland

All times UK and Ireland; all games live on Your Site

Tags:

cricket news

Share this article

Related Posts

ICC confirm 'safe departures' for South Africa and West Indies after bias claims at T20 World Cup amid flight disruption

ICC confirm 'safe departures' for South Africa and West Indies after bias claims at T20 World Cup amid flight disruption

The International Cricket Council has denied accusations of preferential treatment towards England after it emerged that the West Indies have had to s...

England players under central contracts will no longer be banned by the ECB from speaking to the media for their counties

England players under central contracts will no longer be banned by the ECB from speaking to the media for their counties

The ECB have now lifted a temporary ban that prevented centrally contracted England players from speaking to the media for their counties.England play...

Indian Premier League fixtures 2026: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru play in first match against Sunrisers Hyderabad

Indian Premier League fixtures 2026: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru play in first match against Sunrisers Hyderabad

The opening two weeks of the Indian Premier League (IPL) schedule have been announced, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) taki...

2026 T20 World Cup Team of the Tournament: India have four players picked from winning squad, Will Jacks and Adil Rashid represent England

2026 T20 World Cup Team of the Tournament: India have four players picked from winning squad, Will Jacks and Adil Rashid represent England

The 2026 T20 World Cup concluded with a thumping 96-run win for tournament hosts India over New Zealand, but which players have made the ICC's Team of...

Australia captain Alyssa Healy bids farewell to international cricket with 10-wicket win over India

Australia captain Alyssa Healy bids farewell to international cricket with 10-wicket win over India

Alyssa Healy, Australia's captain, has led her nation for the last time as she retires from international cricket after a crushing 10-wicket win over...

IPL squads 2026: Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone among England players signed

IPL squads 2026: Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone among England players signed

Here's how the Indian Premier League squads look for the 2026 season, with Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer among the 13 English players involved.Watch al...