England chase 125 in 9.4 overs to complete 3-0 sweep of Sri Lanka at Old Trafford

England wrapped up a 3-0 T20I series sweep over Sri Lanka at Old Trafford on Saturday, chasing 125 in 9.4 overs to win by eight wickets.

Brief scores: England 126/2 (Buttler 62*) beat Sri Lanka 124 (Nissanka 36, Mendis 35; Baker 2/17, Archer 2/23, Jacks 2/31). Sri Lanka were bowled out for 124 and England's bowling attack regularly applied pressure during the innings.

Jos Buttler finished unbeaten on 62 from 32 balls, sealing the chase with a six over square leg, after an 85-run stand from 39 balls with Harry Brook. Brook made 33 before being run out; England were 82 for 1 at the end of the powerplay and passed 100 in the eighth over.

Pathum Nissanka top-scored for Sri Lanka with 36 from 24 deliveries while Kamindu Mendis made 35 off 28, but once the pair were separated Sri Lanka struggled to rebuild partnerships and repeatedly lost wickets.

Sonny Baker claimed 2/17 and “continued his encouraging run with the ball,” Jofra Archer took 2/23 after an expensive start, and Will Jacks finished with 2/31. Jamie Overton conceded only 15 runs from his four overs and picked up a wicket, and Liam Dawson's direct hit was a notable piece of fielding.

The victory was England's 23rd in their last 26 completed T20Is since Harry Brook took over as captain in 2024, and it took them back to the No. 1 position in the ICC T20I rankings, with India dropping from the top spot. The defeat extended Sri Lanka's losing run against England to 15 consecutive T20Is, and England achieved the result without Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell who are injured.

England will switch formats for a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka beginning in Durham on Tuesday, a series described as another step in their preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.