England made quick work of defeating Sri Lanka by six wickets in the second Twenty20 in Cardiff on Thursday to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in a three-match series.
Tom Banton top-scored with 52 not out off just 24 balls, including four sixes, as England reached a target of 146 with nearly eight overs to spare at Sophia Gardens.
Following England's 119-run rout of Sri Lanka in Tuesday's first T20 in Southampton, this was another lopsided contest.
Tom Banton’s boundary masterclass 👏 pic.twitter.com/dzjUASZDcT
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 17, 2026
Jos Buttler and England captain Harry Brook, fresh from their 80 and 114 not out respectively on Tuesday, got the home side's pursuit off to a typically dashing start, with England 79-3 in seven overs.
But it was England's performance in the field that laid the foundation for their 14th successive T20 win over Sri Lanka ahead of Saturday's series finale at Old Trafford.
Sri Lanka, sent in to bat by Brook, were well-placed at 56-0 at the end of the powerplay.
But their innings then fell away, with left-arm spinner Liam Dawson taking 3-32, including two wickets in two balls, and fast bowler Jofra Archer striking twice in the last over as Sri Lanka were held to a lowly 145-9.
SERIES WIN 🏆 pic.twitter.com/mRiYzleu3k
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 17, 2026
"Tonight was a special performance, very clinical," said Brook, who took a mere eight balls for his 23, at the presentation ceremony. "Sri Lanka got off to a flyer but the way we fought back with the ball was outstanding.
"The way Dawson reads the game was outstanding, too. He is an awesome bowler and a great bloke. He uses all of his nous.
"Everyone bowled phenomenally and the way Banton hits different parts of the ground with the bat was great to see."
A modest Dawson, the player-of-the-match, added: "I just tried to keep it simple, bowling good lines and lengths... Coming to Cardiff, you know the boundaries are big square so I bowl into the wicket. I like bowling here."
Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka made no attempt to hide his feelings ahead of a three-match one-day international series with England, saying: "It was a very disappointing performance. We were in the game in the powerplay but then gave wickets at regular intervals.
"I think England were too good but we have to improve as we are not up to the mark."
ENGLAND: Aneurin Donald, Jos Buttler (wk), Harry Brook (capt), Tom Banton, Jordan Cox, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Adil Rashid.
SRI LANKA: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara (wk), Lahiru Udara, Charith Asalanka (capt), Kamindu Mendis, 6 Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Tharindu Rathnayake, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga.