Malan, Bairstow, Willey hand Sri Lanka a thrashing as England sweep T20I series 3-0
Dushmantha Chameera's career-best 4 for 17 was the only bright spot for the visitors in the third T20I
Dushmantha Chameera's career-best 4 for 17 was the only bright spot for the visitors in the third T20I
Scorer: Ranjith P | Commentator: Andrew Miller
Eoin Morgan lifts the trophy and that is the end of that! 3-0 to England, and it was even more one-sided than that scoreline can relate. From myself and Ranjith, and Matt at the Ageas, good night, and see you next week for the ODIs!
Time for some presentations. First up, it's the Player of the Match ... 76 from 48 balls, it's Dawid Malan.
"Always nice to score runs, keep going and get to a winning score is a nice feeling. Slower than we have been up front but a 100-run partnership set us up beautifully. All credit to myself and Jonny ..."
"Just to break into this team is tough enough, happy to fill in... I like proving a point so I like to show people who seem to have their opinions. I'd like to play all three formats but that's above my pay-cheque ..."
Player of the Series is Sam Curran. "Pleased with how the series went, a good series win. Like to contribute with the bat and the ball, nothing specific just try to improve. It swung consistently throughout which was strange but us bowlers weren't complaining."
Kusal Perera: "We knew it was going to be tough, but batting throughout the series not up to the mark. We aren't used to the pace and bounce, not executed well. The batsmen have to take responsibility and play to their strength."
Eoin Morgan: "I think the most impressive thing has been our bowling, adapting to conditions, two on the same pitch at Cardiff and here, an outstanding effort from our seamers. We can't fault anything in this series, but looking towards the World Cup, we are looking at the Powerplay and death bowling. We've made some great strides in this series, and extremely proud. No let-up, any opportunity, the group of players give us different options, and into the Hundred as well."
"We know the capabilities of the guys, today a great example with Jonny and Dawid, didn't get away early but 100 for none is a hugely commendable opening partnership."
5.54pm Sri Lanka all out for 91, England win by 89. England win by their opening stand, and by most of Dawid Malan's critic-answering display. Outstanding from all four of England's seamers, though the pick of the day was actually Dushmantha Chameera, whose brilliant 4 for 17 deserved some support. Oshada Fernando top-scored was second top-scorer in reply with 19, but it would have been kinder to dismiss him for a duck.
NB: "England played 7 bowlers. And Woakes, Willey and Rashid, their 9-10-11 are all handy batsmen. And then there is Stokes. What the heck!!!"
Vishal Pawar: "With this approach SL do not stand any chance even against India's second string Team! " It might not be pretty. India's depth is incredible at the moment
Sampath has the exciting news: "England did something that's never happened in Men's T20Is. Their fifth bowler (Rashid/Ali/Livingstone) was introduced in the 17th over, the latest any team brought in their fifth bowler. Closest instance is Pakistan bowling 15.3 overs during the 2016 Asia Cup game vs India with four pacers only.
And Sampath has got more you know, he cannot get enough of this match: "Sri Lanka's batting strike rate of 85.02 in this series is the lowest for any full-member team in any T20I series/tournament. Previous lowest was also by Sri Lanka who struck at 89.02 during the 3-match series in 2016 against India."
Siripala Ayya: "Andrew, credit where its due, Binura Fernando top-scored not Oshada :)" So he did
PVD Chameera lbw b Ali 1 (7m 4b 0x4 0x6) SR: 25.00
Moeen to get a go now. All the fun of a beer match
Promoted to open, Malan nails his match-up with Hasaranga to propel England to 3-0 win
Dushmantha Chameera's career-best 4 for 17 was the only bright spot for the visitors in the third T20I
Onus on visitors' batting to find an extra gear after flat displays in first two T20Is
Low-key but impressive performances in first two T20Is enhance his claims to squad berth