England complete 3-0 sweep of Sri Lanka, return to No. 1 in T20I rankings

England completed a commanding 3-0 T20I series sweep over Sri Lanka with an eight-wicket win at Old Trafford, reclaiming the No. 1 spot in the ICC T20I rankings from India.

In Short

• England wrapped up a 3-0 T20I series sweep over Sri Lanka
• England reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC T20I rankings from India
• England's bowlers kept the pressure on throughout the innings

Brief Scores: England 126/2 (Buttler 62*) beat Sri Lanka 124 (Nissanka 36, Mendis 35; Baker 2/17, Archer 2/23, Jacks 2/31) by eight wickets

England wrapped up a 3-0 T20I series sweep over Sri Lanka with another thoroughly one-sided performance at Old Trafford on Saturday, chasing down 125 in just 9.4 overs to return to the top of the ICC T20I rankings.

Sri Lanka never gave themselves enough runs to work with after being bowled out for 124. England's bowlers kept the pressure on throughout the innings, and the chase was little more than a formality once Jos Buttler and Harry Brook got going.

Buttler finished unbeaten on 62 from 32 balls, taking England over the line with a six over square leg. Brook made 33 before being run out, but not before the pair had put together an 85-run stand from just 39 balls.

England were already 82 for 1 at the end of the powerplay and crossed 100 in the eighth over. With the asking rate barely a factor, Buttler was able to finish the job in style.

The England captain's innings was another reminder of his importance to the side. Buttler had brought up 15,000 T20 runs in the second match of the series and carried that form into the finale, finding the boundary regularly as England made short work of the chase.

Sri Lanka's batting had offered little resistance earlier in the evening. Pathum Nissanka provided the only real spark at the top of the order, scoring 36 from 24 balls, while Kamindu Mendis battled his way to 35 off 28.

Once those two were separated, however, the innings lost its shape. England kept picking up wickets and Sri Lanka struggled to put together any meaningful partnerships.

Sonny Baker continued his encouraging run with the ball, finishing with 2/17. Jofra Archer also claimed 2/23 after recovering from an expensive start, while Will Jacks took 2/31.

Jamie Overton was particularly economical, conceding only 15 runs from his four overs and picking up a wicket. England also produced some sharp work in the field, with Liam Dawson's direct hit providing one of the highlights.

Sri Lanka's decision-making with the bat did not help their cause. Despite a strong breeze across the ground, they were unable to consistently exploit the shorter side and kept losing wickets just as they threatened to build some momentum.

Their 124 was never likely to trouble an England batting line-up that has remained formidable even without the injured Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell.

The win was England's 23rd in their last 26 completed T20Is since Harry Brook took over as captain in 2024. More importantly, it took them back to the No. 1 position in the ICC T20I rankings, with India dropping from the top spot.

For Sri Lanka, the defeat extended a miserable run against England. They have now lost 15 consecutive T20Is against them.

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

- Ends