SL vs Eng T20: Denly, Rashid shine as England beat Sri Lanka by 30 runs
England posted a total of 187-8 in their rain-interrupted innings, which Sri Lanka could not achieve and got stacked on 157 runs
England cricket team won by 30 runs in the only T-20 match against Sri Lanka. While Opener Jason Roy (69) led a charmed life by smashing the bowlers brutally all-over the park, the spin-bowling duo of Joe Denly and Adil Rashid shared seven wickets. After being put to bat first, England posted a total of 187-8 in their rain-interrupted innings, which Sri Lanka could not achieve and got stacked on 157 runs on the last ball of their innings.
England lost their three batsmen - Jos Buttler (13), Alex Hales (4) and Captain Eoin Morgan (11) at just 60 runs on board, but Jason built a 47-run partnership with Ben Stokes (26) for the fourth wicket; helping their side cross the 100 run mark. Jason, who hit four fours and six sixes in just 36 balls, returned to the pavilion after scoring a much needed 69 runs.
After Jason was dismissed, Moin Ali (27) and Joey Denly (20) helped the team reach the score of 187.
Lasith Malinga and Amila Aponso took two wickets each for Sri Lanka. Apart from them, Sandakan and Dhananjay D Silva got one success each.
Sri Lanka was seen weak in front of spinners Denali and Adil Rashid, as both took their five batsmen out even before they could cross 100 run mark.
After the dismissal of star batsman and skipper Thesara Perera (57), who scored half-century, the Sri Lanka's team was completely shattered. Sri Lanka's innings reduced to 157 and they lost by 30 runs.
England 187 for 8 (Roy 69, Aponso 2-29) beat Sri Lanka 157 (Thisara 57, Denly 4-19, Rashid 3-11) by 30 runs
Sri Lanka Squad:
Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Thisara Perera (c), Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Kamindu Mendis, Kasun Rajitha, Amila Aponso, Sadeera Samarawickrama
England Squad:
Jos Buttler (wk), Eoin Morgan (c), Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Tom Curran, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Olly Stone, Mark Wood