England vs Sri Lanka, SL in ENG, 3 T20Is, 2026 Sep 15 Full score card

OUT! TIMBER! England win by 119 runs. Liam Dawson finishes things off. Drifting a tempting, slower delivery, Dushmantha Chameera moves forward and has a wild swipe at it but misses it completely. The ball rattles over the leg pole. England assert their authority with a ruthless display, taking an early 1-0 series lead while pushing their unbroken mastery over Sri Lanka to 13 games.

SIX! That's a good shot! Tossed up, on middle and leg, Dushmantha Chameera makes room and slog sweeps it magnificently over deep mid-wicket for a bigge.

Fullish, on middle, Dushmantha Chameera taps it back to the bowler.

Short, on middle, Dushmantha Chameera knocks it to mid on.

Quicker, outside off, and it stays low. Dushmantha Chameera looks to sweep it but misses.

Turning away, on off, Dushmantha Chameera slaps it to cover.

SIX! Hammered! Flatter, on middle and leg, Eshan Malinga takes a step forward and powers it high and over the long on fence for a bigge.

Play and a miss! Turn and bounce, outside off, Eshan Malinga looks to play at it but misses.

Short, on off, Dushmantha Chameera punches it to cover for a single.

Good fielding in the deep! Short and wide, Eshan Malinga slaps it through backward point. Sonny Baker dives to his right near the fence and stops the boundary. Three runs taken.

Quicker, on off, Dushmantha Chameera knocks it to mid on for a single.

Flatter, on middle, Dushmantha Chameera blocks it to the right of the bowler.

FOUR! Streaky from Malinga! Back of a length, outside off, Eshan Malinga looks to punch it. Gets a thick outside edge as the ball races away through short third for a boundary.

Angling in, on off, Eshan Malinga punches it to cover.

Eshan Malinga is the last batter.

OUT! TAKEN! That's a terrific catch from Jordan Cox. Fullish, on off, slower too. Dunith Wellalage looks it loft it but doesn't connect well. The ball catches the outside edge and carries towards deep backward point. Jordan Cox moves to his right near the fence and takes a sharp catch.

Wide! Down the leg side, Dunith Wellalage looks to flick it but misses.

FOUR! That's a terrific shot! Back of a length, on off, Dunith Wellalage makes room and chips it magnificently over point for a boundary.

Back of a length, outside off, Dunith Wellalage slaps it over extra covers for a brace.

Play and a miss! Hits the deck hard, on leg, Dunith Wellalage swings hard but misses.

Flatter, on leg, Dunith Wellalage tugs it through mid-wicket for a single.

Turning in, on leg, Dunith Wellalage cuts it to point.

Leg break, on top of off, Dunith Wellalage punches it to point.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries from Wellalage! Fullish, on leg, Dunith Wellalage gets low and sweeps it magnificently over square leg for yet another boundary.

FOUR! Just wide of deep square leg! Short, on middle and leg, Dunith Wellalage goes deep in his crease and pulls it wide of deep square leg for a boundary.

A bit short, on off, Dunith Wellalage knocks it down the ground. He denies for a single.

Fuller, outside off, Dunith Wellalage punches it to the left of long off but denies the single.

WIDE! Much fuller, but spills it down the leg side.

Dushmantha Chameera is the new batter at the crease.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Sonny Baker, you beauty. Pace on, fuller in length, right on off stump! Theekshana is late bringing the bat down to dig it out into the off side. The ball sneaks underneath his blade before he can even react and utterly shatters the stump.

Driven gloriously! Much fuller, just behind the yorker length, outside off. Maheesh Theekshana prods forward to drive it past the cover fielder, but the extra cover runs back and cuts it to two runs.

Just a shade behind the good length, outside off, Maheesh Theekshana bunts it to backward point.

Hard length, over off, Maheesh Theekshana defends it down.

Good length, on middle, Maheesh Theekshana defends it to the right of mid-wicket.

Back of a length, outside off, Dunith Wellalage swings and misses.

Short of a length, outside off, Maheesh Theekshana guides it to third man for one.

Bouncer, over middle. Maheesh Theekshana ducks under it.

DROPPED CHANCE! Short of a length and directed sharply at the ribs. Wellalage, backing away to clear the leg side, completely loses the trajectory and turns his head. It pops off the body frame to Buttler’s left behind the stumps, he reaches out with a single glove, just managing to take the sting off the ball as it rolls down to deep third man for a single.

FOUR! Exquisite! Full-length delivery, on off. Dunith Wellalage clears his front foot and smashes it over left of mid off for four runs.

On a nagging length, outside off, Maheesh Theekshana taps it to cover-point for one.

Short, outside off, Dunith Wellalage pulls it but finds the mid on fielder.

Slower one, on the back of a good length, angling in. Dunith Wellalage looks to flick it but wears on the thigh pad.

SIX! Exceptional from Wellalage! Hard-length delivery, angling just outside off. Dunith Wellalage hangs back to cut it late and manages to sail it just over the backward point boundary cushion for six runs.

Short again, wide outside off, Dunith Wellalage attempts to pull but misses.

Short, wide outside off, Dunith Wellalage makes a leave at it.

SIX! Oh, mind boggling! Much fuller, just outside off, shaping away. Dunith Wellalage uses his bottom hand to punch it over deep cover, showing the full face of the bat for a biggie.

Maheesh Theekshana is the new man in.

OUT! CASTLED! Jamie Overton joins the party now. Pitches it on the back of a good length, just outside off, angling in. Wanindu Hasaranga makes room and tries to whack it toward wide long on, but the ball skids through and beats the under edge crash into the stumps. The idea wasn't wrong from Hasaranga, it's just that Overton got a bit of favour from the track.

Bangs a bouncer, over middle and leg. Wanindu Hasaranga ducks under it.

Short of a length, well outside off, Dunith Wellalage cuts it to deep third for one.

Hard length, outside off, Wanindu Hasaranga stabs it through cover and gets a single.

Back of a length, outside off, Wanindu Hasaranga guides it to backward point.

A touch fuller, on off, Wanindu Hasaranga dabs it to cover.

On a nagging length, outside off, Dunith Wellalage dabs it to short third.

Dunith Wellalage is the new man in.

OUT! TAKEN! What's the Queen song? Another one bites the dust. Pitches it fuller, just outside off, keeping it straight. Kamindu Mendis plants his front foot toward the leg side to the pitch of the delivery and tries to smoke it downtown, but ends up hitting it from the outer part of his bat. The ball balloons toward long on and Harry Brook makes no mistake in spilling it away.

Bumper, over middle. Kamindu Mendis rocks back and fails to connect his pull.

Slower bouncer, outside off. Kamindu Mendis attempts to heave it across, but ends up withdrawing his bat as he notices the pace off delivery.

Pitches it fuller, outside off, Kamindu Mendis looks to drills it downtown, but it nips away and sneaks past the outside edge.

Short of a length, outside off, Wanindu Hasaranga guides it to deep third for one.

TWO WIDES! Back of a length, angling down the leg side. Kamindu Mendis misses his heave. Jos Buttler fails to glove it before the ball rolls to deep fine leg for a run plus wide.

Full, outside off, Wanindu Hasaranga drives it past the cover fielder and gets a brace.

DRINKS BREAK! 186 required off 61 balls, and now the Lankans have lost their fifth wicket. England are looking more than comfortable right now and they will keep on searching for wickets. Only a miraculous partnership can save Sri Lanka from here.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Adil Rashid has the last laugh. Turning away, just outside off, Dasun Shanaka leans on and looks to block it but misses it completely. The ball kisses the outside edge of Shanaka's bat and carries towards Jos Buttler, who takes a sharp catch. Sri Lanka continue to crumble.

SIX MORE! That's a flat six! Tossed up, outside off, Dasun Shanaka latches onto it and slaps it powerfully over extra covers for a flat six.

SIX! That was hit with some power! Tossed up, outside off, Dasun Shanaka shimmies down the ground and powers it over the bowler's head for a huge six.

Much fuller, on off, Dasun Shanaka pushes it to point.

Tossed up, outside off, Kamindu Mendis looks to slap it but gets a bottom edge. The ball rolls towards short fine leg for a single.

Just over the bowler! Fullish, on off, Kamindu Mendis chips it down the ground. Liam Dawson dives to his right but just manages to get his fingertips to it. The ball rolls towards mid off as the batters collect a single.

Fired in, on off, Dasun Shanaka pushes it to backward point for a single.

Two wides! Down the leg side, Kamindu Mendis looks to flick it but misses. The keeper fails to stop it as the batters cross.

Fullish, on middle, Kamindu Mendis plays a reverse sweep towards backward point.

Too full, on middle, Kamindu Mendis blocks it back to the bowler.

Kamindu Mendis walks in to bat now.

OUT! TAKEN! Liam Dawson strikes. Tossed up, on off, Charith Asalanka moves forward and looks to loft it. Doesn't quite get it off the meat of his bat. The ball goes high in the air towards long on. Tom Banton keeps his eyes on the ball and takes a sharp catch. The captain tries to up the ante but fails to do so.

Short and wide, Dasun Shanaka slaps it through cover-point for a single.

Gives it air, on off, Dasun Shanaka sweeps it through mid-wicket for a run.

A bit short, on off, Charith Asalanka rocks back and tugs it through mid-wicket for a single.

Short, outside off, Charith Asalanka slaps it through wide of mid off for a brace.

Fired in, on middle, Dasun Shanaka punches it to extra cover for one more.

Short, on off, Charith Asalanka tugs it to wide of mid on for a single.

Quicker, on the stumps, Dasun Shanaka taps it to mid on for a run.

Flatter, on off, Dasun Shanaka knocks it to mid on for a single.

Flighted up, on middle, Dasun Shanaka sweeps it through backward square leg for a brace.

Much fuller, on off, Dasun Shanaka digs it to point.

FOUR! Finds the gap! Fullish, on middle and leg, Dasun Shanaka gets low and sweeps it. The ball races away through the right of short fine leg for a boundary.

Tossed up, outside off, Charith Asalanka taps it to cover for a single.

FOUR! Not where he intended! Fullish, just outside off, Charith Asalanka changes his stance and plays a reverse sweep. Gets a bottom edge as the ball goes through the legs of the keeper for a boundary.

Sri Lanka are 32/3 at the end of Powerplay. Liam Dawson comes into the attack now.

Good length, on off, Dasun Shanaka punches it to point.

OUT! TAKEN! Another wicket in the same over for Sonny Baker. Hits the deck hard, on middle and leg. Lahiru Udara moves to his off side and tries to paddle it over short fine leg. The ball hits the upper part of his bat and lobs towards Adil Rashid at short fine leg, who moves to his right and takes a well-judged catch. Dasun Shanaka is the new batter.

A bit too full, on off, Charith Asalanka pushes it to point for a quick single.

Fullish, on leg, Charith Asalanka flicks it to mid-wicket.

A tad fuller, on off, Charith Asalanka taps it back to the bowler.

Now, the skipper of Sri Lanka, Charith Asalanka, strides toward the center.

OUT! TIMBER! Sonny Baker gets a wicket now. That was too quick for Kamil. Angling in, on a length, on top of leg. Kamil Mishara stays back and looks to heave it, but the ball goes through the gate, between Mishara's bat and his pads, and rattles over the leg pole. Sri Lanka fall further behind, but more importantly for England, the drop catch did not cost much.

Slower and much fuller, outside off. Lahiru Udara takes a big step across the stumps and drills it to the mid on fielder with one bounce.

Hard length, over middle, Lahiru Udara nudges it to mid-wicket.

DROPPED! Oh, that is a sitter for Will Jacks. Foxed by the slower, shorter delivery outside off, Mishara top-edges an aggressive pull high into the night sky. The ball takes a tricky swirl on its descent towards short third. Jacks tracks it all the way, flinging himself to his left, but ends up spilling the chance.

Short, just outside the leg stump. Lahiru Udara misses his flick, wears on the pad and rolls toward backward square leg for a leg bye.

FOUR! Nicely played! Short, just outside off. Lahiru Udara gets on his back foot and slaps it wide of mid off for four runs.

Pitches it up, on middle, Lahiru Udara works it to mid-wicket.

FOUR! SHOT! On a nagging length, around off and middle. Kamil Mishara gets down on one knee and sweeps it through sqaure leg for a boundary.

Full, on off, Lahiru Udara drives it to long on for one.

Lahiru Udara walks up as the first batter down.

OUT! CAUGHT! There comes the opening breakthrough for England and the bowling change has done the job for Harry Brook. Will Jacks drags his length back, yet again, pitching it just outside off and turning in sharply toward the batter. Pathum Nissanka doesn'tget enough time to make room and ends up mistiming his pull toward mid on, where Jamie Overton back paddles a couple of steps to reverse scoop the catch over his head.

Short, on off and middle. Pathum Nissanka shuffles across and pulls it the right of deep backward sqaure leg for a brace.

Short of a length, over middle. Pathum Nissanka pulls it to the left of deep backward sqaure leg for a brace.

Tossed up, fuller, around off, Kamil Mishara drives it to long off for one.

First change for England, as Will Jacks has joined the attack, replacing Josh Tongue.

Much fuller, just behind the yorker length, outside off, Kamil Mishara jams it to point for a quick single.

Pitches it up, outside off, Pathum Nissanka swats it from the inner part of his bat to mid on and gets a single.

Bashes onto the length, does Baker, outside off. Pathum Nissanka looks to cut at it but the ball beats the outside edge.

SIX! BANG! The first biggie of the inning. Outside the off stump, just a shade behind good length. Pathum Nissanka rocks back and pulls it from the middle part of his bat, over deep square leg for a biggie.

Back of a length, angling down the leg side, Kamil Mishara fails to flick it, wears on the body and the ball rolls away to square leg for a leg bye.

Hard length, over off, Kamil Mishara defends it back to the bowler.

Short, around off, Kamil Mishara pulls it to mid-wicket for one.

Back of a length, well outside off, Kamil Mishara swings and misses.

In the air... SAFE! Short of a length, around off, Kamil Mishara mistimes his loft to long off and gets a brace.

Change of pace, on the nagging length, around middle. Kamil Mishara nudges it to mid-wicket.

O the fuller side, outside off. Kamil Mishara mistimes it back to the bowler.

Back of a length, just outside off, Pathum Nissanka dabs it to backward point for one.

Pitches it fuller, angling down the leg side. Pathum Nissanka misses his flick.

Josh Tongue to bowl from the other end.

Just a shade behind the good length, outside off, Kamil Mishara looks to lash it away, over cover, but misses.

Hard-length delivery, pitching it just outside off and nipping it away. Kamil Mishara looks to defend it, but it zips past the outside edge.

On a nagging length, just outside off, swinging in. Pathum Nissanka shuffles across to flick it but hits the pad before it rolls to short fine leg for a leg bye. Sri Lanka are underway!

Hard length, nipping in, over middle. Pathum Nissanka blocks it down.

Short of a length, outside off. Pathum Nissanka looks to drag his pull shot, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Attacking the batter, right away! Back of a length, angling in, on off and shaping in. Pathum Nissanka hops and looks to tuck it away, but gets beaten and wears on the thigh pad.

OUT! In the air... TAKEN! Eshan Malinga gets his name written on the wicket list, but the 41 runs that he gave away in all his overs would concern him and his team a lot. A touch fuller, well outside off, Will Jacks stays on his back foot to lash it over long off, but he ends up offering height more than distance. The ball lobs toward long off, where Wanindu Hasaranga reverse scoops the catch. England have posted 254 runs on the board.

Change of pace, outside off, Harry Brook slaps it to long on for a single.

Fuller, around off, Will Jacks drags it to long on for one.

Yorker, on off, Will Jacks looks to dig it out, but gets the inside edge. The ball rolls to long on and the batter gets a brace.

A touch fuller, outside off, Will Jacks mistimes his heave, down the ground and gets a couple.

Just a shade behind the good length, on middle and leg, Harry Brook heaves it to deep square leg for one.

Full toss, outside off, Harry Brook slices it to backward point for a single.

An huge appeal for caught behind, but the umpire remains unmoved. After a bit of discussion, Charith Asalanka opts for the review. The UltraEdge pops up and shows that there is certainly a spike, that means there was some sound, no doubt about that, but it is off the bat, touching the track. The ball comfortably beats the outside edge in the replay. A touch fuller, outside off. Harry Brook looks to drill it through cover, but misses on the outside edge.

FOUR! This is simply too great from Harry Brook. A slower one, on the fuller side, on off and middle. Harry Brook punches it over the head of the bowler and it bounces away, down the ground for a boundary.

WIDE! Fuller, down the leg side, Harry Brook misses his clip.

FOUR! A loose delivery gets its treatment. Dushmantha Chameera tries to offer a yorker, but spills out a low full toss, on middle. Harry Brook just flicks his wrists and it zips toward the left of deep square leg for four runs.

Fuller, on middle, Will Jacks clips it to deep mid-wicket for one.

SIX! On a nagging length, outside off, Will Jacks whips it over long on and gets a biggie.

On a length, on off and middle, Harry Brook nudges it to wide of deep mid-wicket and gets another brace.

HUNDRED FOR BROOK! What an impeccable performance from this 27-year-old. Certainly a skipper's knock, when his team lost a couple of wickets in the third quarter of the game. Pitches it fuller, on middle and leg, Harry Brook rolls his wrists and flicks it wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs to get to his second century in T20Is.

WIDE! Bouncer, but it's way over the helmet of the batter. Harry Brook has to wait for his century.

Much fuller, wide outside off, Harry Brook leans on it and drills it through cover for a brace.

On a length, around off and middle. Will Jacks swats it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Change of pace, fuller, around off, Will Jacks swings and misses.

SIX! Will Jacks gives him a warm greeting! Short of a length, just outside off. Will Jacks transfers his weight on his back foot and hammers it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Change! Eshan Malinga has been introduced into the attack.

Tap and single! Pitches it up, on off, Will Jacks pushes it to cover and gets a quick single.

Pitches it up, on middle, Harry Brook flicks it to square leg to get across.

Back of a length, wide outside off. Harry Brook cuts it late to the right of deep third for a brace.

WIDE! Another one. Slower one, but spills it just beyond the tramline, outside off.

WIDE! Bangs a bouncer, but this one goes well beyond the height of the batter.

Much fuller, around off, Brook drills it to deep point for a couple.

FOUR! No need to run for that. Much fuller, wide outside off. Harry Brook crouches down, extends his hands and just opens the face of the bat to give a mere push through cover for four runs.

SIX! Harry Brook is not stopping himself from dispatching any deliveries within his radar. Back of a length, well outside off. Harry Brook swivels on his back foot and swats it over deep mid-wicket for six runs.

WIDE! Yorker, but sprays it down the leg side.

Back of a length, outside off, Jacks swings and misses.

Slower, on a good length, outside off, Harry Brook steers it to short third for a single.

Full, on off, Will Jacks pushes it to long on for one.

Will Jacks is the next batter.

OUT! CAUGHT! Dushmantha Chameera gets his first wicket and Sri Lanka are looking much more comfortable than in the middle phase of the game. However, their concern would still be the 193 runs that have already been posted on the scoreboard. Length-delivery, outside off. Banton stands his ground and tries to muscle it all the way over long-on. He hits it flat and fast, but it flies straight down the throat of Dasun Shanaka, who holds on cleanly under immense pressure.

Back of a length, around off, Tom Banton flat bats it wide of long off and gets a couple of runs.

Overthrows! Hard length, around off. Tom Banton pushes it wide of extra cover and gets a single. The fielder in the region charges on the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses hitting the stumps. The ball rolls away to deep mid-wicket and the batter gets another run.

FOUR! Failed to time it right, does Brook, but it's enough to clear the in-field. Another slower one, on a good length, outside off. Harry Brook swings his bat and mistimes his hit. However, the ball loops over the mid off fielder and races away for four runs.

WIDE! Much fuller, but sprays it down the leg side. Brook misses his flick.

Just a shade behind the good length, around off and middle. Tom Banton heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

A touch fuller, outside off, Harry Brook looks to slap it away, but gets the inside edge and the ball bounces off toward the right of keeper for one.

Slower bouncer, over middle and angling in. Harry Brook tries to upper cut it, but misses. Brook is fortunate enough not to connect with it, as the ball would have gone straight to the keeper, as it had no pace on it.

Change of pace, on off and middle, angling in. Tom Banton plays his flick early and gets the leading edge before it rolls to long on for a single.

Back of a length, around off, Tom Banton heaves it from the inner part of his bat to the left of deep square leg for two runs.

SIX! Into the crowd! Short of a length, on off and middle. Harry Brook picks up the length early and hammers it over deep square leg for a massive biggie.

Pitches it up, fuller, on off, Tom Banton eases it through point for one.

Dunith Wellalage drags his length back, around off. Harry Brook drags it to long on for one.

Full, on off, Harry Brook punches it wide of long on for a brace.

FOUR! Up and over! Short of a length, outside off, Harry Brook rocks bac and spanks it over cover for four more runs.

Short, just outside off, Harry Brook tucks it toward deep mid-wicket and gets a couple of runs.

Full, on off, Harry Brook pushes it to long on for one.

FOUR! SHOT! Short of a length, outside off, Harry Brook punches it toward sweeper cover and gets the boundary.

Full, on middle, Tom Banton reverse sweeps it to backward point for a single.

Fuller, turning away. Tom Banton looks to defend but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Short, outside off, Tom Banton pushes it to cover.

Tom Banton is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Wanindu Hasaranga steps up and gets the wicket in his last over. Full-length delivery, well outside off, turning it away from the right-hander. Jos Buttler looks to punch it aerially, over cover, from his front foot, and ends up getting the connection from the outer part of the bat toward deep point, where Dunith Wellalage jogs off the boundary line and pouches the catch.

FOUR! The runs are just not stopping for England and the home fans are pretty happy about it. Short of a length, wide outside off, asking the batter to slice it as there is a protecting in deep point, but Brook flat-bats it down the ground to beat the right of the long off fielder for four more runs.

Yorker, wide outside off, Jos Buttler eases it to deep point for one.

On a nagging length, outside off, Harry Brook looks to cut it away, but gets the inside edge, before it hits the turf and bounces wide of the keeper. Single taken.

Fuller, on off, Jos Buttler drills it to long on for one.

SIX! Oh, just over the fielder in the deep! A slower once from Dasun Shanaka, on off and middle. Jos Buttler reads the delivery really well and times his heave to sail it toward deep square leg. The fielder in the deep leaps up high but the ball just glides over his fingertips for a biggie. 150 is up for the host.

Leg bye, the batter goes back in the crease to flick but cannot find the gap.

Short of a length, around off, Harry Brook punches it to long off for one.

FIFTY FOR BROOK! Despite of losing an early wicket, the skipper kept on hitting boundaries from the other end of Jos Buttler and got to his 9th half-century in T20Is. Serves it fuller, on middle, Harry Brook pushes it to the vacant mid on region with soft hands and gets a brace.

A touch fuller, around middle and leg, Jos Buttler tucks it to sqaure leg for a single.

Short, outside off, Jos Buttler eases it to cover-point.

SIX! KABOOM! Flaoted and fuller, at the stumps. Jos Buttler clears his front foot and launches it downtown for half a dozen.

Pitches it up, on middle, Harry Brook drives it to long on for one.

Will be a bowling change? Nope, Wanindu Hasaranga to continue.

DRINKS BREAK!  After the completion of the first 10 overs, England have posted 134 runs on the board, losing a wicket which fell in the third over. Jos Buttler has already got his half-century and Harry Brook is just three runs away from his. Sri Lanka are desperate to get a wicket here to break this sturdy partnership.

FOUR MORE! A 100-run partnership comes up between Jos Buttler and Harry Brook now! Fullish, on middle and leg, Jos Buttler makes room and drills it powerfully through mid on for a boundary.

FOUR! That was hit with some power! Fullish, outside off, Jos Buttler stays back and slaps it magnificently through extra covers for a boundary.

Too full, outside off, Jos Buttler drills it to extra cover. The fielder dives to his left and makes a magnificent stop. Keeps it to two runs.

Slower one, on off, Harry Brook looks to punch it but gets an inside edge. The ball rolls towards square leg as the batters cross.

Angling in, on off, Jos Buttler knocks it to mid on for a single.

Nice and full, on off, Jos Buttler drills it through covers for a brace.

That's a good over from Wanindu Hasaranga. Full and on leg, Jos Buttler flicks it to square leg for a single.

Short and wide, Harry Brook looks to slap it but gets a bottom edge. The ball rolls towards short third as the batters collect a single.

Tossed up, on leg, Harry Brook flicks it to mid-wicket for a brace. Excellent running between the wickets.

Quicker, on leg, Jos Buttler flicks it to mid-wicket for a run.

Too full, on off, Jos Buttler pushes it back to the bowler.

Fifty up for Jos Buttler ​​​​​​off just 29 balls! Much fuller, on middle, Buttler knocks it through mid on for a brace. A well-crafted fifty from him.

Short, on leg, Jos Buttler pulls it over mid-wicket for a single.

DROPPED! A big opportunity goes down for Sri Lanka. Quicker, on off, Jos Buttler rocks back and slaps it to long on. The fielder moves to his right but fails to hold onto it. The batters collect two runs.

SIX! That's a no look six from Buttler! Flatter, on middle and leg, Jos Buttler stays in his crease and hammers it over cow corner for a no look six.

Quicker, on off, Jos Buttler plays a reverse sweep towards backward point.

FOUR! That's innovative from Buttler! Full and outside off, Jos Buttler changes his stance and plays a reverse sweep through backward point for a boundary.

Beaten! Turn and bounce, outside off, Jos Buttler swings hard but misses.

SIX! 100 comes up for England in a flash! A bit short, on off, Harry Brook rocks back and hammers it high and over long on as the ball sails into the stands.

Fullish, on leg, Jos Buttler flicks it to square leg for a run.

A bit short, on off, Jos Buttler punches it to the fielder at cover.

Slows it up, on middle, Jos Buttler tucks it to mid-wicket for a brace.

On the stumps, with a hint of turn, Jos Buttler pushes it to cover.

Much quicker, on leg, Harry Brook knocks it to mid on for a single.

England are 90/1 at the end of the Powerplay. Wanindu Hasaranga comes into the attack now.

FOUR! A massive Powerplay for England! Full and on leg, Jos Buttler uses the pace of the ball and clips it through fine leg for a boundary.

Too full, on leg, Harry Brook flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Three wides! Down the leg side, Harry Brook looks to flick it but misses. The keeper fails to collect it as the batters collect two runs.

Wide! Way outside off, Harry Brook leaves it alone. Wide called.

FOUR LEG BYES! That's a poor delivery! He errs his line down leg, Harry Brook looks to flick it but the ball clips his thighs and races away to the fence at fine leg. A 50-run partnership comes up between Brook and Buttler now.

A tad fuller, on leg, Jos Buttler flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Short, on leg, Jos Buttler tugs it through mid-wicket for two more.

Fullish, on leg, Jos Buttler flicks it through mid-wicket for a brace. Brilliant running between the wickets.

FOUR! 30 runs off the over! Flatter, outside off, Harry Brook makes room and chips it over point for yet another boundary. 3 sixes and 3 fours off this over.

SIX MORE! Hammered! An attempted yorker, on off, Harry Brook moves forward, and powers it over long off for six more. 26 runs off the over already with still a ball to go.

SIX! This is incredible batting from Brook! Fired in, full and on leg, Harry Brook stays on his crease and helps it high and over deep backward square leg for a six.

FOUR MORE! No need to run for that! Drops it short, on leg, Harry Brook rocks back and plunders it over mid on for yet another boundary.

FOUR! That's a great shot! Flatter, on off, Harry Brook picks it well and chips it over the bowler's head for a boundary. 50 up for England inside 5 overs.

SIX! That has landed on the cushion! Drops it short, on off, Harry Brook rocks back and powers it as the ball sails over long on for a biggie.

Slowish, on leg, Harry Brook flicks it through backward square leg for another single. That a top start from Eshan Malinga.

A yorker, right into the blockhole, Jos Buttler tips it to cover for a single.

Fullish, on middle, Harry Brook digs it to mid on for a quick single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses.

Bangs it short, on off, Jos Buttler tugs it to mid-wicket for one more.

Hits the deck hard, on leg, Harry Brook turns it to square leg for a single.

A tad fuller, on leg, Jos Buttler tucks it to mid-wicket for a run.

Eshan Malinga comes into the attack now.

A bit short, on off, Jos Buttler punches it through covers for a single.

Short, on off, Jos Buttler punches it to cover.

Fired in, on off, Harry Brook knocks it to mid on for a quick single. The fielder throws it towards the keeper but Jos Buttler was safely home.

Quicker, on leg, Jos Buttler flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Wide! Down the leg side, Jos Buttler looks to flick it but misses.

Fullish, on off, Harry Brook chips it to mid on for a quick single.

Harry Brook walks in at number 3.

OUT! TAKEN! Dunith Wellalage gets the wicket of Donald on his very first ball. Tossed up, on off, with a hint of turn. Aneurin Donald looks to loft it but gets a top edge. Dasun Shanaka moves to his left from mid on and takes a good catch. A timely wicket for Sri Lanka. Donald's debut is cut short for just 12 runs.

FOUR! The carnage continues! Angling in, on middle and leg, Jos Buttler stays back and pulls it through square leg. The fielder dives to his left near the fence but fails to stop it.

FOUR! A hat-trick of boundaries from Buttler! Slower one, full and outside off, Jos Buttler reaches out to it and slaps it over extra covers for yet another boundary.

FOUR MORE! Back-to-back boundaries from Buttler! Fullish, on off, Jos Buttler looks to loft it but gets it off the toe end of his bat. The ball still goes over mid on for a boundary.

FOUR! Buttler takes the aggressive route as well! A bit full, outside off, Jos Buttler moves forward and slices it over backward point for a boundary.

Good length, on off, Jos Buttler punches it to cover.

Angling in, on off, Jos Buttler blocks it back to the bowler.

Huge first over for England. Dushmantha Chameera to share the attack.

FOUR! Top shot! Slowish, on off, Aneurin Donald moves forward and chips it over extra cover for a boundary.

SIX! That is fearless cricket from Donald! A bit short, on off, Aneurin Donald rocks back and pulls it powerfully over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. His first six in international cricket.

Keeps it full, on off, Jos Buttler knocks it to long on for a single.

Fullish, just outside off, Donald moves to that side and looks to sweep it but the ball hits his pads and rolls through the legs of the keeper. Maheesh Theekshana refers and Ball Tracking shows that the impact was outside the line. They collect a leg bye.

Flatter, on off, Aneurin Donald moves to his off side and sweeps it over backward square leg for a brace. Donald is off the mark in international cricket!

England are underway! A bit short, on leg, Jos Buttler tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.

We are all set for the action to begin. The umpires are out in the middle. Sri Lanka players are seen in a huddle, near the fence, before they take their respective field positions. Aneurin Donald and Jos Buttler open up for England. Maheesh Theekshana has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

England (Playing XI) - Jos Buttler (WK), Aneurin Donald (International Debut), Harry Brook (C), Tom Banton, Jordan Cox, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Josh Tongue, Sonny Baker and Adil Rashid.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara (WK), Lahiru Udara, Charith Asalanka (C), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera and Eshan Malinga.

TOSS -  Up goes the coin flip and it lands in favour of Sri Lanka. They opt to BOWL first.

Stage set for a thriller - The Rose Bowl surface is famous for assisting fluent strokeplay and setting up entertaining chases, so expect plenty of boundaries today. If Sri Lanka execute their plans with the ball and hold their catches, they can put heavy pressure on this reshuffled English outfit. Will the home side deliver another dominant white ball display, or can the tourists trigger an upset to grab the series lead? Do not go anywhere because the toss is coming right up!

The Lankan's way - For Charith Asalanka and Sri Lanka, this match demands immediate resilience, as the absence of Kusal Mendis hurts, so the top order led by Pathum Nissanka must apply the lessons from those practice games by building firm partnerships instead of gifting soft dismissals.

Fresh power at the top - England step out with an adjusted squad but plenty of firepower. With Phil Salt sidelined, debutant batter Aneurin Donald pairs up with Jos Buttler to give the hosts rapid scoring power from ball one. England will want their new opening combination to establish early control without hesitation, while their relatively young pace attack under Josh Tongue and Sonny Baker focuses on nailing disciplined lengths right from the powerplay.

Let's get started! Hello and a very warm welcome to all everyone joining us for the opening build as we are here for the opening T20 between England and Sri Lanka at The Rose Bowl in Southampton. Harry Brook leads an exciting English side full of confidence, with Kevin Pietersen joining the dugout as mentor to inject even more fearless intent into the setup. England will look to set a commanding tone straight away, while Sri Lanka aim to connect the first punch and make an early statement.

... MATCHDAY ...

A fresh chapter on the south coast - The international summer shifts toward the white-ball arena as England welcome Sri Lanka to The Rose Bowl in Southampton for the opening clash of a three-match T20 series. Harry Brook leads an England outfit that is riding high on confidence, having recently dismantled India 4-0 on home soil in an emphatic five-match contest. For the hosts, this series serves as another platform to assert their authority, having already travelled to the island nation earlier this year and walked away with a comprehensive 3-0 sweep. On the other side of the boundary, Sri Lanka find themselves searching for stability after a turbulent 2026. Their year began with a 1-1 outcome against Pakistan, followed by that harsh home sweep against England and a disappointing exit at the bottom of Super Eight Group 2 in the T20 World Cup. Fresh off a 2-1 series loss in the West Indies, Charith Asalanka and his men arrive in Hampshire eager to turn the page and prove they can punch above their weight in English conditions. England's red-hot batting engine - England's batting order looks formidable, powered by their captain Harry Brook, who enjoyed a blistering run against India with 229 runs at an astonishing strike rate. Ben Duckett matched that aggressive tone by piling up 184 runs in three matches, while Jos Buttler brings a wealth of top-tier experience. With attacking options like Tom Banton and Jordan Cox offering middle-order muscle, the lineup packs immense firepower. There is also excitement around Derbyshire batter Aneurin Donald, who has earned his maiden national call-up on the back of scoring some runs in the 2026 T20 Blast at a hefty strike rate. Pace, spin and tactical depth - The hosts possess plenty of bowling weapons to keep the pressure on. Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue were relentless against India, claiming seven wickets apiece, with Gus Atkinson, Saqib Mahmood and Sonny Baker rounding out a ferocious pace department. Adil Rashid remains the primary spin wizard in the middle overs, having also collected six wickets against India. With all-round support coming from Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, James Coles and Liam Dawson, England have no shortage of flexibility in both powerplay and death overs. Lankans seek answers - Sri Lanka must find ways to produce sustained batting partnerships against this relentless home attack. The absence of Kusal Mendis, who topped the run charts when these sides met earlier in the year, leaves a significant void at the top. The onus falls heavily on Pathum Nissanka, alongside Pathum Rathnayake, Kamil Mishara and Lahiru Udara. Captain Charith Asalanka will also be eager to elevate his personal output following a quiet run in T20 cricket this year, while experienced campaigner Dasun Shanaka must steady the lower middle order alongside Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis. Spin craft and the pace wildcard - Sri Lanka have proven game-changers who can trouble any opposition if conditions offer a bit of grip. Maheesh Theekshana was the standout bowler for the Lions during the T20 World Cup 2026, while Dushmantha Chameera led the fast-bowling charge. Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage and Tharindu Ratnayake give Asalanka variety in the spin column, with Dilshan Madushanka and Nuwan Thushara offering swing and awkward angles. The intriguing figure is Eshan Malinga, who enjoyed a sensational IPL 2026 campaign picking up 20 wickets. If he can adapt quickly to English pitches, he could provide the spark Sri Lanka need to break through England's top order. Team form (Last 5 completed T20Is, recent first) - ENG - WWWWW | SL - LWLLL. Setting the stage at Southampton - The Rose Bowl generally provides a true surface where batters can play through the line once they survive the early zip from the new ball. With good carry and outfield speed, Southampton often rewards proactive stroke play, putting both bowling groups under immediate scrutiny. For England, this presents an opportunity to continue their summer of dominance and maintain a ruthless home record. For Sri Lanka, it is an occasion to reset their narrative, shake off recent disappointments, and land an early punch in this three-game tussle.