Tom Banton showcased his World Cup potential by powering England to a series-clinching six-wicket victory via the DLS method in the second T20 against Sri Lanka in Kandy.
Tasked with a challenging revised target after rain disrupted the chase of 190, Somerset’s Banton delivered a commanding 54 off just 33 balls to secure an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
At 27, Banton is set to compete for the crucial number four spot alongside Ben Duckett—currently sidelined with a finger injury—as England prepare to launch their T20 World Cup campaign on February 8.
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Sri Lanka’s Pavan Rathnayake led the hosts with a solid 40, guiding them to 189 for five, but England’s late-innings firepower proved decisive.
The night also celebrated Jos Buttler, who surpassed James Anderson’s record for most England appearances across all formats, earning his 402nd cap. Buttler now holds England records for appearances and runs in T20 cricket, with 57 Tests, 199 ODIs, and 146 T20 matches to his name.
Although captain Harry Brook’s off-field controversy following an altercation with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand briefly overshadowed England’s initial series win, the team’s on-field preparations in Sri Lanka remain positive. Their T20 success follows a recent ODI series win in Colombo.
Opening the chase, Buttler swiftly scored four off his first two balls but soon lost Phil Salt, who was caught cheaply for one. Runs flowed steadily until rain halted play with England at 57 for two—just short of the DLS par score.
After a delay exceeding an hour, England’s target was reset to 168 runs from 17 overs, meaning 111 runs were required off 58 balls. Eshan Malinga was injured on the first ball, and Buttler’s 39-run charge ended when he mistimed a shot caught brilliantly in the deep.
With Banton cracking his third towering six, Brook took charge, launching multiple sixes to reduce the target. Despite his spirited 36 from 12 balls, Brook fell trying to finish the game. Banton’s rapid fifty, reached in 29 balls, reinforced his World Cup credentials as he and Sam Curran steered England home with two balls to spare.
Sri Lanka, who batted first, started strongly with Pathum Nissanka smashing Jofra Archer’s second ball over the boundary. Despite early dominance and a solid half-century partnership that lifted them to 102 for one by halfway, a few key wickets by England saw Sri Lanka finish with an imposing 189 for five.
Bowling remains a focal point for England’s World Cup preparations. Though Sam Curran managed England’s second-ever T20 hat-trick in the series opener, the combined eight overs from Archer, Curran, and Overton leaked 103 runs in this match—signaling potential concerns over their seam attack ahead of the tournament.