Cardiff, Sept 18:
Tom Banton smashed an unbeaten 52 off just 24 balls as England defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in the second T20I at Cardiff to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Sri Lanka, after being sent in, made a promising start but lost momentum once left-arm spinner Liam Dawson struck twice in the sixth over. Dawson removed Lahiru Udara and Kamil Mishara off consecutive deliveries, and Sri Lanka eventually finished with 145 for nine. Dawson ended with three wickets, while Jamie Overton also played a key role in restricting the visitors.
England made light work of the target, reaching 146 for four in only 12.1 overs. Banton’s 52 came from 24 deliveries and included four sixes, while Jos Buttler contributed 30 off 16 balls. Buttler also became the first cricketer to reach 15,000 career T20 runs during the match.
The victory gave England their second comprehensive win of the series after their 119-run success in the opening match at Southampton. With one game still to play, England have secured the series and will look to complete a clean sweep in the third T20I.