T20 WC: Buttler ton vs Lanka takes England to semis

ENGLAND, the current world champions in the 50-over format, continued with their superb show in the ongoing T20 World Cup as they picked their fourth consecutive win in Group 1 on Monday (1) in Sharjah to qualify for the semi-finals.

Eoin Morgan’s side, which hammered arch-rivals Australia by eight wickets in their previous game, beat Sri Lanka by 26 runs to take their points tally to eight. They are left to play South Africa in their final group fixture in Sharjah on Saturday (6).

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England were clinical from the word go after Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and asked them to bat first. Although opener Jason Roy (nine off six balls) fell early, his opening partner Jos Buttler went on to slam an unbeaten hundred (101 not out off 67) that powered his side to 163 for 4 in 20 overs. It was the first century of this T20 World Cup and also the first for the big-hitting batsman in this format. Dawid Malan (six off eight) and Jonny Bairstow (golden duck) fell quickly to leave England rattled at 35 for 3 in the sixth over, but captain Morgan (40 off 36) added 112 runs with Buttler in 13 overs to take their side to a respectable total. For the Lankans, leg-break bowler Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva was the best bowler with three for 21 in four overs.

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Chasing the target, Lanka lost their openers quickly and even though a number of batsmen in the middle-overs made starts, none could go on to score big. After the Asians lost half their side for 76 in the 11th over, Hasaranga (34 off 21) came together with his captain Shanaka (26 off 25) to add 53 runs in six overs to give his side a chance. But the hope evaporated after both the set batsmen returned within a run and Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 137 runs in 19 overs. However, of all the teams that lost to England, the Lankans managed to post the highest total.

England’s bowlers shared the rewards between them with Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Chris Jordan picking two wickets each while Chris Woakes and Liam Livingstone got one wicket each. Buttler was chosen as the player of the match.

This win also made Morgan the most successful captain in T20Is with 43 victories.

Sri Lanka have now lost three games in a row after winning their first match against Bangladesh and chances of them making the last four are dim even if they beat the West Indies in their final game in Abu Dhabi on Thursday (4).