New Delhi: Jacob Bethell registered brilliant figures of 4 for 11 to help England thrash Sri Lanka by 12 runs in the third and final T20I and complete a series sweep. This was England’s 11th consecutive T20I series victory over the island nation. Batting first, the visitors scored 128/9 in the stipulated 20 overs in Pallekele on Tuesday.
The English side failed to score a competitive total as their batters could not showcase courage in front of the Sri Lanka bowling attack. Sam Curran top-scored for the side with 58 runs off just 48 balls while Jos Buttler proved to be the next best scorer with 25 runs. The Lankan bowlers bowled quality overs to restrict the English side from scoring runs.
A dominant series from England against Sri Lanka 💥 pic.twitter.com/wRT9DCDfKS
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) February 3, 2026
Apart from the two, rest of their batters failed to showcase any courage as they succumbed falling like pack of cards. Dushmantha Chameera wrecked havoc on the English batters with a sensational fifer while Matheesha Pathirana clamined two wickets to push them against the wall further. Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana also claimed a wicket each to help in the destruction.
SL batters fail
Chasing a paltry score, Sri Lanka, which had excelled in the bowling department, miserably failed while batting and succumbed too early in an easy chase. Kusal Mendis proved to be the top-scorer with 26 runs while Pathum Nissanka was the next best with 23 runs. Rest of the batters in the line up, who were capable of delivering, failed to contribute which led to Sri Lanka losing the series.
Apart from Bethell who claimed four wickets, Will Jacks also registered brilliant figures of 3 for 14while Adi Rashid, Luke Wood and Liam Dawson all contributed with a wicket apiece. Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, this series victory comes as a massive boost for the English side while for c0-hosts Sri Lanka, it is a bit of worry.