Incongruous as it seems after two weeks of insipid cricket, England are now on the brink of the World Cup semi-final. A crushing 51-run victory over Sri Lanka in Pallekele, overcoming a pitch that offered grip and turn, means that a win against either Pakistan or New Zealand will take England to the last four.
When Sri Lanka are playing at home, you do not need to see the score to tell how the hosts are faring; your ears will suffice. The sound of the famous papare band and the effervescent local crowd betrayed England’s strife; against Sri Lanka’s wonderfully varied attack, England staggered to 68-4 and 106-6 and ultimately a final total of 146-9. Thereafter, the silence – interspersed only by occasional bouts of music on the tannoy system – betrayed that Sri Lanka were heading inexorably to defeat.
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England’s win was inevitable long before Dilshan Madushanka was clean bowled attempting a heave against Adil Rashid. In the space of 20 frenetic balls during the Powerplay, England took 5-19, effectively securing the match.
England celebrate taking the wicket of Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka during an extraordinary spell of bowling in Kandy – Dibyangshu Sarkar/Getty Images
Harry Brook enlisted Will Jacks to bowl the second over and locate grip and bounce on a turning pitch. As an off spinner, Jacks was also better-placed to protect the shorter boundary from the left-hander Kamil Mishara; indeed, had Pathum Nissanka been on strike, Liam Dawson would have bowled instead.
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When he bowled the second over against Australia in the last T20 World Cup, Jacks infamously conceded 22 runs. This time, he conceded just four, all from a misfield, earning Brook’s trust to stay on.
“Spin played a big part in our innings and I knew he was going to play a big part in our bowling innings,” Brook explained. “He is a very competitive lad. He was annoyed when he got out tonight. After his first over he said ‘I always bowl better when I am annoyed’.”
Jacks’s second over would go far to determining the fate of the game. His third ball turned more than Kusal Mendis expected, handing Jacks a routine return catch. With Sri Lanka 20-2, Pavan Rathnayake attempted to launch his first ball to the boundary. Instead, his charge down the pitch only resulted in a leading edge; two wickets in two balls against right-handers showed that, on pitches offering such assistance, Jacks does not only threaten left-handers.
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Rather than a utility player – the “Jack of all trades,” Brook joked – Jacks has been England’s most valuable cricketer so far this World Cup. After hitting 21, continuing his success in a new role at number seven, Jacks finished with 3-22. He has now won three player of the match awards in five games this competition.
Just as Jacks bowled unchanged through the Powerplay, so did Jofra Archer. Reasoning that England were perhaps 15 runs short of par, Brook empowered Archer with aggressive fields. Nissanka, a centurion against Australia earlier this week, is Sri Lanka’s outstanding batsman. His wicket always carried outside importance; in the third over, Nissanka flicked an Archer delivery that stuck in the pitch to Jamie Overton at deep midwicket, who had just been moved to protect that boundary.
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Archer’s second wicket encapsulated why he is so indispensable to England’s prospects. In the penultimate ball of his new ball spell, he unfurled a brutal 93mph delivery, just short of a length; Kamil Mishara could only prod the ball to gully.
From the wreckage of 34-5, Sri Lanka never threatened to mount an assault on their target of 147 thereafter: the pitch was offering too much turn, and the shot selection was too shoddy. There was even a comedic element to Sri Lanka’s demise: Dushan Hemantha knocked over his own bails against Overton to fall hit wicket. Sri Lanka hurtled to defeat in just 16.4 overs, with Sam Curran not needed to bowl.
Such a resounding victory was hard to envisage for much of England’s innings, marked by a conspicuous failure to time the ball. Once again, Jos Buttler’s rhythm was bereft, continuing his struggles this World Cup. Buttler’s 14-ball seven means that he only has 60 runs at an average of 12 this tournament.
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At one stage, Buttler missed three consecutive deliveries against Dilshan Madushanka’s left-arm pace: two full-blooded drives, then a defensive shot against a ball that curves back to almost kiss his off stump. It almost seemed a mercy when Buttler succumbed next over, missing a reverse sweep against Dunith Wellalage’s left-arm spin.
Yet Buttler was not alone in his struggles. Five of England’s top six combined for 41 runs – four of them overthrows – from 43 balls against Sri Lanka.
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Such woes only emphasise Phil Salt’s excellence, belying his own uncertain start to the World Cup, and cramp that he suffered on a humid afternoon. Salt’s 62 included an exquisite six off Dushmantha Chameera, pulling the ball over fine leg while his front leg was raised.
“He was outstanding,” Brook said. “He wasn’t as destructive and fluent as he can be but he’s played the situation perfectly there.”
The importance of Salt’s innings only grew as the game advanced. Only two other men passed 15 all match: Jacks, who continued his success at number seven with a hard-hitting 21; and Sri Lanka’s captain Dasun Shanaka, whose 30 came much too late.
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For Sri Lanka, so did the promised deluge, which finally arrived at Pallekele in the evening, long after their fate was sealed. Should the rain stay away on Tuesday, and they defeat Pakistan, England will be free to plan their return to India for the knockout stages.
01:09pm
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka speaking after the match
“It is very disappointing but we had lots of positives with the ball. We kept them to a score 20 runs under par and I expected my players to bat well.
On the reasons for the batting collapse:
“It was a combination, I think pitch played well, it was slow but it settled a bit. We played badly with the bat and the bowlers bowled well. We played some rash shots in critical intervals. In this World Cup we tried with five main bowlers so it is a nice attack to have, meaning we can restrict sides to lower scores. The discussion was to take it deep and taking positive, right options.
“It is one bad game which is not affordable in a World Cup so we need to bounce back. The top order have done well in recent games so I am sure they will do well in up coming games.”
01:05pm
Jofra Archer speaking to Sky Sports
12:57pm
Man of the match Will Jacks
“We are buzzing. At the halfway stage, we were pleased to get to 146-9, but knew we had to bowl well. We had a brilliant start in the powerplay and managed to continue taking wickets throughout.
“We seem to do well here. We came off a series win against Sri Lanka here. We knew the conditions well. It suits our spinners. We were able to squeak every dot out which makes chase difficult.
“I love getting the responsibility with the ball. It encourages me to get into the game and perform better. It is not foreign for me. And with a surface like that, I come in knowing what to do.
“We have not been quite at our best but we have been winning those close games. It is quite relieving to get through that stage where you are expected to win. Coming back here against the better teams, some of that pressure is off. You can just go out and play your way. That is something we did today, playing with freedom.
“It is about trusting your game. We know we are good enough and we know if we play with our freedom and unity, more often we will be in the right position.”
Will Jacks took three wickets with the ball today – Eranga Jayawardena/AP
12:49pm
Super Eight Group 2 matches
February 21: New Zealand vs Pakistan (Colombo)- match abandoned
Today: England beat Sri Lanka by 51 runs (Pallekele)
February 24: England vs Pakistan (Pallekele)
February 25: Sri Lanka vs New Zealand (Colombo)
February 27: England vs New Zealand (Colombo)
February 28: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan (Pallekele)
12:42pm Key moments
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England win by 51 runs
Rashid sends down a stunning googly to dismiss Madushanka and that is it. England claim victory by 51 runs to start their Super Eight campaign with a comfortable victory. England bowled and fielded superbly but that really was a terrible effort with the bat from Sri Lanka.
12:39pm Wickets
Wicket
Chameera b Dawson 6 The end is nigh for Sri Lanka. It is an awful hack from Chameera, who attempts a big swipe and misses, with the ball crashing into the stumps. FOW 94/9
12:35pm
OVER 15: SRI 86/8 (Theekshana 4 Chameera 3)
Maheesh Theekshana is in at number ten and is off the mark second ball with a couple. He then gets another couple but in lucky style courtesy of a thick edge.
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Sri Lanka need 61 runs from 30 balls.
12:33pm Wickets
Wicket
Shanaka c Banton b Rashid 30 Sri Lanka’s last hope goes after brilliant work on the boundary from Jacks and Banton. Shanaka pulls away and Jacks takes the catch on the deep mid-wicket boundary. Jacks knows he will step over the rope so flicks it across to Banton to complete the catch. FOW 82/8
England closing in on victory – Eranga Jayawardena/AP
12:29pm
OVER 14: SRI 81/7 (Shanaka 30 Chameera 2)
Nearly an eighth wicket falls as a pull shot from Shanaka comes off the top edge and flies high into the air. However, it falls right in between Archer at fine leg and Buttler running back.
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After just two singles from the first five balls of the over, Shanaka gives himself room and hits over mid-off’s head for six.
12:24pm
OVER 13: SRI 73/7 (Shanaka 23 Chameera 1)
Dushmantha Chameera is in at number nine and nearly gets out first ball. He is so close to chipping it straight down long-off’s throat but it just drops short.
Sri Lanka need 74 runs from 42 balls.
You can tell how Sri Lanka are faring by the sound in the stands. Right now, barring the occasional bout of music on the tannoy system, it is very quiet.
12:20pm
Wicket
Hemantha hit wicket Overton 5 The crowd are stunned into silence. From the final ball of Overton’s first over, Hemantha looks to pull and ends up hitting the top of his own stumps as he swivelled. FOW 69/7
12:16pm
OVER 11: SRI 64/6 (Shanaka 17 Hemantha 4)
Shanaka goes over Dawson’s head and gets four. That was not a million miles away from a third caught-and-bowled of the innings. Eight from the over.
12:13pm
OVER 10: SRI 56/6 (Shanaka 11 Hemantha 2)
Adil Rashid is brought on for the first time today, with a slip in place. Just three runs come from the over.
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Sri Lanka need 91 more runs at the halfway stage of this chase.
12:10pm
OVER 9: SRI 53/6 (Shanaka 9 Hemantha 1)
Dushan Hemantha joins his captain in the middle and gets off the mark with a single.
12:09pm Wickets
Wicket
Kamindu c&b Dawson 13 Another absolute gift for England. A ball after hitting a six, Kamindu chips one straight back to Dawson, who takes the easiest of catches. A very similar dismissal to his namesake Kusal Mendis. FOW 52/6
Sri Lankan wickets continue to fall – Eranga Jayawardena/AP
12:05pm
OVER 8: SRI 45/5 (Shanaka 8 Kamindu 7)
Jacks is going to bowl straight through, surely something he has never done in his professional career!
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He drops too short and Shanaka rocks onto the back foot, pulling into the stands for six. The home fans needed something to shout about and now they have it.
Jacks finishes with great figures of 3-22 from his four overs. Job done!
12:02pm
OVER 7: SRI 37/5 (Shanaka 1 Kamindu 6)
England exit the powerplay having taken five wickets yet neither of their premier spinners, Rashid or Dawson, have bowled yet.
Dawson does now come on to bowl. Let’s be honest, this has been brainless batting from Sri Lanka, as they were not chasing down a massive score and this pitch is not a minefield.
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Dawson concedes just three runs from his first over.
11:59am
OVER 6: SRI 34/5 (Shanaka 0 Kamindu 4)
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka is in at number seven. Jacks has figures of 3-14 from three overs; his captain could not have hoped for any better from him.
11:55am Wickets
Wicket
Wellalage c Brook b Jacks 10 Sri Lanka are completely falling apart. After scoring two boundaries in the over, Wellalage tries to go over the top of Brook but mid-on but does not get enough on it, with the England captain taking the catch. Jacks now has three wickets. FOW 34/5
England on top – Lahiru Harshana/Reuters
11:52am
OVER 5: SRI 26/4 (Wellalage 2 Kamindu 4)
Kamindu Mendis joins Wellalage in the middle with Sri Lanka in a spot of bother. Kamindu is off the mark first ball in fortuitous style as a thick edge races fine down to third man for four.
11:51am Wickets
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Wicket
Mishara c Overton b Archer 6 Another Sri Lankan wicket falls and England are purring. There are a lot of concerned faces in the crowd right now and it has gone very quiet. Archer finds the outside edge of Mishara’s bat and Overton takes a smart catch low down in a fly-slip position. FOW 22/4
Smart, aggressive captaincy from Harry Brook, giving Jofra Archer a third over in the Powerplay – trying to kill the game now.
11:47am Analysis
OVER 4: SRI 21/3 (Wellalage 1 Mishara 6)
Jacks is on a hat-trick and the new man Dunith Wellalage blocks it sensibly. Wellalage is then off the mark with a single but Sri Lanka have made a dreadful start to this chase.
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Giving Will Jacks the new ball spectacularly backfired in the last T20 World Cup, when he conceded 22 against Australia and Travis Head went on the rampage. But his height has exploited the bounce and grip in Pallekele. Jacks has 2-6 from two overs so far. Suddenly 147 is looking a very steep target.
11:45am Wickets • Key moments
Wicket
Rathnayake c Banton b Jacks 0 Pathan Rathnayake has lost his head there. What are Sri Lanka doing? The part-time spin of Jacks is working wonders for England here as he picks up two wickets in two balls. Rathnayake comes down the ground first ball and skies one into the offside. Banton takes a good catch and England have three wickets inside the opening four overs. FOW 20/3
Good grab by Tom Banton – Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
11:43am Wickets
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Wicket
Mendis c&b Jacks 4 The home crowd fall silent again as England go bang bang! It is a real gift from Mendis, who simply chips one straight back to Jacks, who takes the easiest of catches. This is exactly the start England needed. FOW 20/2
England make crucial early breakthroughs – Eranga Jayawardena/AP
11:41am
OVER 3: SRI 19/1 (Mendis 4 Mishara 5)
Kusal Mendis is in at number three and is off the mark second ball. It is a real gift from Archer, who strays onto the pads and Mendis flicks away behind square for four.
11:39am Wickets • Key moments • Video
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Wicket
Nissanka c Overton b Archer 9 That is big for England. After scoring back-to-back boundaries, Nissanka goes again but only succeeds in picking out Overton on the deep mid-wicket boundary, looking into the sun. FOW 15/1
Nissanka is fresh from a century against Australia. That wicket silences the crowd and changes the feel of the game. England’s only route to victory rested on getting him out early.
11:35am
OVER 2: SRI 7/0 (Nissanka 1 Mishara 5)
Will Jacks will bowl from the other end. Mishara cuts away and it should be stopped by Bethell at point but it manages to get through and runs away for four. That was poor fielding from Bethell and England cannot afford those errors in the field if they want to defend this total.
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After conceding a boundary from the first ball, Jacks then sends down five straight dot balls.
11:32am
OVER 1: SRI 3/0 (Nissanka 1 Mishara 1)
Jofra Archer will send down the first over of this innings. The wicket of Nissanka feels pivotal in this innings. Archer looks to test Nissanka with some short deliveries early doors and sends down three straight dot balls to start the innings.
Nissanka is off the mark fourth ball with a single through backward square leg. Just three runs come from the first over.
11:26am
Time for Sri Lanka’s response
Considering this pitch is not a minefield, England’s total feels a little way short. To be honest, Tim’s estimate of it being 20 runs below par might be even a slight underestimate; I think they could be 30 short of a decent total. England will have to bowl and field superbly to defend this.
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Pathum Nissanka, who batted brilliantly against Australia on this ground the other day, and Kamil Mishara come out to the middle.
11:20am Analysis
England short?
A superb bowling display from Sri Lanka, showing off the full variety of their attack. Even with their recent injuries, this was almost a consummate T20 bowling performance: left-arm pace, from Dilshan Madushanka; loopy left-arm spin, from Dunith Wellalage’s loopy left-arm spin; mystery spin, from Maheesh Theekshana; and raw pace, using yorkers and the around the wicket angle well, from Dushmantha Chameera. England’s 146-9 feels 20 short of par.
11:16am Key moments
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England finish on 146/9
Sri Lanka have been fantastic so far but that is poor; Overton hits one down to long-on and it should only be a single. However, a bad throw allows Overton to come back for two and keep strike. Overton punishes that error from Sri Lanka by blasting Chameera back over his head for six. England are only able to score three more runs from the rest of the over and it feels like they are under par, and maybe by quite a bit as that was not a minefield of a pitch to be honest.
Sri Lanka will need 147 to win this match.
11:10am Wickets
Wicket
Archer c Hemantha b Madushanka 0 Jofra Archer is gone for a golden duck and England are falling apart. It is a low full toss from Madushanka but Archer can only succeed in picking out a diving Hemantha at mid-off. FOW 135/9
11:08am Wickets
Wicket
Jacks c Wellalage b Madushanka 21 After two emphatic boundaries in the over, Madushanka eventually gets Jacks. Jacks goes for a third boundary of the over but the ball flies into the air off the outside edge. Wellalage takes a great catch at wide third man. FOW 135/8
11:04am
OVER 18: ENG 126/7 (Overton 1 Jacks 13)
Should Jamie Overton have come in ahead of Dawson? Well, he is in now but does not have much time. Theekshana goes for just two runs in that over and picked up the wicket of Dawson. Superb bowling from Theekshana, who finishes with figures of 2-21 from his four overs.
11:00am Wickets
Wicket
Dawson c Shanaka b Theekshana 6 Dawson struggled in that innings and he has to go now, chewing up 11 balls for just six runs. An outside edge loops into the air and Shanaka takes the catch in the covers. FOW 124/7
10:58am
OVER 17: ENG 124/6 (Dawson 6 Jacks 13)
England do not want to get bowled out before the 20 overs are up but Dawson is starting to chew up too many balls. Chameera is coming around the wicket to the two right-handers, with three fielders on the boundary from cover round to third-man, bowling full and wide outside off stump. Jacks though is able to power one through wide mid-off for four, with mid-off up inside the circle.
10 from the over in total.
10:53am
OVER 16: ENG 114/6 (Dawson 2 Jacks 8)
After four singles from the first five balls of Theekshana’s over, Jacks finishes the over with a powerful shot over cover for four.
Sri Lanka will be delighted with how they have bowled and fielded here. They have taken wickets a regular intervals and kept the run-rate in check.
10:49am
OVER 15: ENG 105/6 (Dawson 0 Jacks 2)
Liam Dawson joins Jacks in the middle. Dawson is unable to get off the mark, facing four consecutive dot balls, and this is becoming more and more challenging for England. They may struggle to even get to 150, which in itself does not feel enough.
Jamie Overton is being held back to attack pace: a sensible move, given his travails against spin.
10:47am Wickets
Wicket
Salt c Hemantha b Wellalage 62 It is another absolute gift from England. Salt, who has batted very well but has been struggling with the humidity, tries to go down the ground for a big six but is a fair bit short of the boundary, with Hemantha taking a simple catch down at long-off. FOW 106/6
10:45am
OVER 14: ENG 105/5 (Salt 62 Jacks 1)
Will Jacks, who has scored some important runs for England so far in this tournament, comes in at number seven. He is off the mark second ball with a single.
That is a gift for England; Salt drives one hard out to the cover boundary that should be easily stopped but somehow is it let through by Mendis and goes for four.
England’s 100 is brought up with a six as Salt pulls on the swivel behind square.
10:39am Wickets
Wicket
Curran c Mishara b Chameera 11 Another England wicket falls. Chameera takes a bit of pace off as Curran tries to go big down the ground. Curran does not get quite enough on it and Mishara takes a comfortable catch on the long-on boundary. FOW 94/5
England talk a lot about their deep batting. Once again this tournament, they’re going to need it.
10:36am
OVER 13: ENG 94/4 (Salt 52 Curran 11)
A single into the legside takes Salt to 50 off 36 balls. Wickets have continued to fall around him but Salt has delivered for his side today, despite visibly struggling with the humidity.
Curran then plays an emphatic shot over the legside, sweeping hard over deep mid-wicket for a big six. Curran made such pure contact on that shot.
Salt finishes the over with a couple through the offside as he beat cover.
A really outstanding 50 from Phil Salt, the one man to find his timing on this pitch so far.
Phil Salt has looked in good touch today but is struggling with the heat – Eranga Jayawardena/AP
10:32am
OVER 12: ENG 83/4 (Salt 49 Curran 3)
Theekshana drags one down and Salt pulls behind square on the legside. For a moment it looked like he would get four but it is cut off on the boundary.
Six runs come from Theekshana’s second over.
10:27am
OVER 11: ENG 77/4 (Salt 45 Curran 1)
Sam Curran joins Salt in the middle. Salt goes over the top on the offside and long-off is unable to get round to his left to stop the boundary. It nearly carried all the way for six but bounced just inside the rope.
This pair run well through the over but Salt is visibly struggling with the humidity. That is really not ideal for England as he is the only England batsman thus far to pass 15 so they need him to keep going.
10:22am Wickets • Key moments
Wicket
Brook LBW Wellalage 14 England did not need losing another wicket as their captain falls. Just as he threatened to get going, he is struck on the pads by Wellalage and the finger goes up. Brook reviews but it is umpire’s call so he has to go. Wellalage flighted that one up a bit more and it went straight on. Once more, England are going to need their all-rounders to dig them out of a hole. FOW 68/4
That is sumptuous bowling from Dunith Wellalage: loopier, slower and fuller, leaving Harry Brook flummoxed. The famous papare band are loving England’s plight, as are the electric crowd in Pallekele. England need a serious recovery if they are to scrap to, say, 150.
Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
10:17am
OVER 9: ENG 59/3 (Salt 34 Brook 8)
Brook is off the mark first ball with a single that brings up England’s 50.
Sri Lanka think they might have a catch; Brook goes for the reverse sweep but Nissanka reads it well at slip. However Brook hit it straight into the ground so not out.
Then there is nearly chaos as we could have had a second run-out in quick succession. Salt would have been out by a mile at the non-striker’s end if the throw had been good but not only that, the ball then races away for four overthrows. England end up scoring six runs from that delivery which could also have resulted in a fourth wicket.
10:12am
OVER 8: ENG 49/3 (Salt 32 Brook 0)
England captain Harry Brook, on his 27th birthday, comes to the middle with his team in strife.
An electric atmosphere in Pallekele now, relishing the mess that England’s innings has become. That was a stunning direct hit from Dasun Shanaka, leading by example. Sri Lanka’s tactics, very simply, seem to be to deprive Phil Salt of the strike. The other top four batsmen made a combined 16 off 25 balls for England, without hitting a single boundary.
10:11am Wickets • Key moments
Wicket
Banton run out Shanaka 6 Exactly what England did not need; a run-out. That is so, so stupid. England lose their third wicket before getting to 50 as Banton takes a risky single up to mid-off and is punished by a pin-point accurate throw from the Sri Lankan captain Shanaka. It is a good piece of fielding but Banton hit that too well to take it on. FOW 49/3
10:06am
OVER 7: ENG 45/2 (Salt 30 Banton 4)
As expected, it is going to be trial by spin for England as the leg spin of Dushan Hemantha comes on. This England pair need to consolidate and build a partnerhsip, a foundation.
After a couple of singles, Salt sweeps hard from a juicy full toss and gets four as deep square leg could not get across in time.
10:02am
OVER 6: ENG 37/2 (Salt 24 Banton 2)
Tom Banton is the new man in and is off the mark first ball with a single down to long-on.
Theekshana concedes just five runs from the final over of the powerplay, which has not quite gone to plan for England losing two early wickets.
09:56am Key moments • Wickets
Wicket
Bethell c Madushanka b Theekshana 3 Maheesh Theekshana is into the attack and gets a wicket first ball. Bethell looks for a big shot over the legside but only succeeds in getting a thick outside edge that loops into the air. Madushanka gets round to his right at short third man and takes the catch, keeping hold of it as he survived the contact with the ground. FOW 32/2
A fine catch from Dilshan Madushanka – Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
09:54am
OVER 5: ENG 32/1 (Salt 22 Bethell 3)
Madushanka continues into his third over of four and has managed to deliver quite a few dot balls in this powerplay.
As the pressure builds after three straight dots, Salt goes for a big shot over the legside but takes a thick outside edge. It falls just short of a diving short third man and then races away for four.
This time, it is much more convincing from Salt as he drills a full delivery from Madushanka through cover point for four more.
09:49am
OVER 4: ENG 23/1 (Salt 14 Bethell 2)
Jacob Bethell is in at number three and is off the mark first ball with a single. Wellalage concedes just three runs form his first five balls of his second over but Salt is able to thrash the final ball of the over through the covers for four.
09:45am Key moments • Wickets
Wicket
Buttler LBW Wellalage 7 You have to say that was coming. Buttler’s troubled knock comes to an end as he goes to the switch hit, which has served him so well down the years, but misses the ball and is struck in front. The finger goes up quickly and Buttler opts against a review. That sums up Buttler at the moment that he cannot even utilise a tried and tested shot. Buttler’s tough tournament continues. Is there an argument that Buttler’s place should be under massive threat? FOW 16/1
That was a very torrid innings for Jos Buttler, with his timing completely bereft.
He missed three consecutive deliveries completely against Madushanka’s left-arm pace; two full-blooded drives, and then a defensive shot against a ball that curves back to almost kiss his off stump. It almost seemed a mercy when he succumbed next over, missing a reverse sweep against Dunith Wellalage’s left-arm spin. Buttler now has 60 runs at an average of 12 this tournament.
The pitch seems to be gripping; expect Sri Lanka to blow a lot of spin.
09:44am
OVER 3: ENG 16/0 (Salt 9 Buttler 7)
Buttler clips one away through square leg and thought he might get a boundary but a good diving stop from Mishara on the rope keeps it to two.
Madushanka then sends down four straight dot balls and Buttler, as he has done a lot through this tournament thus far, does not look particularly comfortable. The pressure is already building on Buttler.
Buttler gets a single to short third man through an unconvincing shot; you do feel either a wicket or a flurry of boundaries from Buttler is coming.
09:39am
OVER 2: ENG 13/0 (Salt 9 Buttler 4)
Dunith Wellalage will send down some left-arm off spin from the other end. The first boundary of the match comes from the bat of Salt, who decides to go aerial over the offside. Long-off might have thought for a moment that a catch was on but there was enough on it from Salt to get it all the way for six.
A better for England, with nine coming from it, although Salt nearly chipped the final ball to one of a few fielders in the covers.
09:35am Analysis
OVER 1: ENG 4/0 (Salt 2 Buttler 2)
Will Sri Lanka start with seam or spin? The answer is the former as left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka will send down the first over of the game.
Salt pushes the ball up to long-on for a single to immediately get off the mark. A touch of movement for Madushanka back into the right-handed Salt.
Buttler is off the mark third ball with a single behind square on the legside. It has been a challenging tournament thus far for Buttler with the bat.
Just four singles come from the opening over.
Short straight boundaries here; conditions look excellent for batting. Will Jos Buttler give himself a little more time, after those frenetic early dismissals against Scotland and Italy?
09:28am
Ready for action
There are still some threatening clouds around but the sun is out and we are nearly ready to go. Phil Salt and Jos Buttler make their way out to the middle, both in need of some runs. Can they set a decent platform for England?
Both teams probably need to be a little careful diving in the outfield considering the overnight rain.
09:23am
Anthem time
Both teams make their way onto the outfield, which has had to take on a lot of overnight rain, and it is time for the national anthems.
Having played a three-match T20 series here just before the World Cup, England have spent the last few weeks in India, playing in Mumbai and Kolkata, but now return to Sri Lanka to take on the co-hosts today.
09:21am
Teams
England are unchanged from their last game against Italy.
England: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (captain), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid.
Sri Lanka make two changes; Dushmantha Chameera and Kamil Mishara come in for Pramod Madushan and Kusal Perera.
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wicketkeeper), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (captain), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka.
09:17am
Super Eight Group 2 matches
February 21: New Zealand vs Pakistan (Colombo)- match abandoned
Today: Sri Lanka vs England (Pallekele)
February 24: England vs Pakistan (Pallekele)
February 25: Sri Lanka vs New Zealand (Colombo)
February 27: England vs New Zealand (Colombo)
February 28: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan (Pallekele)
09:15am
Super Eights
Group 1: India, South Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe.
Group 2: England, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Pakistan.
09:13am
England captain Harry Brook at the toss
“We had an amazing T20 series here in Sri Lanka earlier this month [winning 3-0] and we can take a lot of confidence from that. We have played three games on this pitch already and the pitch looks similar. They all look similar out here, if I am being honest.”
09:11am
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka at the toss
“I have been very happy with my team’s performance so far. The boys are very confident playing here [after thumping Australia by eight wickets]. Injuries have been damaging for us but, at the same time, the replacements have done well for us.”
09:11am
Toss does not go Brook’s way
Harry Brook’s run of eight consecutive victories at the toss in T20Is ends. That means Sri Lanka will chase. The pitch was used before, but only for Australia’s game with Oman, which ran for just 26 overs. England decided against calling upon extra spin and are unchanged.
09:04am Key moments
Sri Lanka win toss and elect to bowl first
On his 27th birthday, Harry Brook calls incorrectly and the toss goes the way of the hosts. Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka decides that his side will field first.
Brook admits he would have bowled first as well had he won the toss.
09:00am Analysis
Rain set to stay away?
It’s a glorious afternoon in Pallekele – a huge relief after absolutely torrential rain last night. There are still some clouds lurking but we should be fine for a full game, even if there is a brief shower. Whoever wins will go top of the pool, after the New Zealand-Pakistan match was rained off in Colombo last night.
08:57am
Sri Lanka’s Group B results
February 8: Sri Lanka beat Ireland by 20 runs
February 12: Sri Lanka beat Oman by 105 runs
February 16: Sri Lanka beat Australia by eight wickets
February 19: Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka by six wickets
08:54am
England’s Group C results
February 8: England beat Nepal by four runs
February 11: West Indies beat England by 30 runs
February 14: England beat Scotland by five wickets
February 16: England beat Italy by 24 runs
08:49am Key moments
England tackle hosts
England’s quest to win their third T20 World Cup continues as they take on joint-hosts Sri Lanka in Pallekele at the start of the Super Eights stage of the competition. These sides met in a T20 series in Sri Lanka days before the start of the World Cup. England won all three matches in that series, with all three of those games taking place in this very stadium in Pallekele. Those three victories mean that England are on an 11-match winning streak against Sri Lanka, whose last victory against England came all the way back in 2014.
England won three [against Nepal, Scotland and Italy] and lost one [against the West Indies] of their Group C games to book their place in the Super Eights.
“It was obviously a niggly start to the competition,” England captain Harry Brook said. “We probably underestimated a few of the sides and they put up a really good fight. Thankfully we got through and we see it as new competition now. A fresh start. I have learnt you cannot take any team for granted. Sri Lanka are a strong side with a lot of confidence after a few very good wins.
England beat Sri Lanka in a T20 series before this World Cup began – Lahiru Harshana/Reuters
“Some of their batsmen are batting really well and [Pathum] Nissanka is on a bit of a heater, so it would be ideal if we can get him out early. But if we play our best cricket there is no reason we cannot beat them. I think we have been too careful at times. We can look to put teams under pressure, especially with the batting depth we have got. It is about having confidence in the people behind you. We can be a bit braver in certain situations.”
Sri Lanka won their first three Group B games, beating Ireland, Oman and Australia, but fell to a defeat to Zimbabwe in their final game of the group stages.
The first game of this group took place yesterday but the game between Pakistan and New Zealand was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain. Play from Pallekele is set to get under way at 9.30am GMT.
