Tom Banton's gritty half-century helps England seal the series vs Sri Lanka with 6-wicket victory in 2nd T20I

Tom Banton proved to be England's top performer as they defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in the second T20I of the three-match series. The victory saw them take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series and continue their impressive run of form going into the T20 World Cup. The Three Lions had earlier sealed the ODI series against Sri Lanka by 2-1 and have now clinched the T20I series as well.

After being invited to bat first, the Lankan Lions got off to a solid start thanks to openers Pathum Nissanka amd Kamil Mishara. The duo batted sensibly and pounced on loose delieveries whenever they could. This led to them crossing the 50-run mark within the powerplay, but Nissanka would end up losing his wicket in the sixth over for 34 runs to Jofra Archer. This wicket saw the 56-run opening partnership come to an end.

However, next batter Kusal Mendis didn't waste any time and started smashing opposing bowlers right away. He formed a valiant 50-run stand with Mishara before the latter got dismissed by Will Jacks in the 11th over. Liam Dawson would then rack up the wicket of Mendis in the 13th over for 32 runs as Sri Lanka went down to 128/3.

Sri Lanka's solid batting performance

Adil Rashid ended up clinching skipper Dasun Shanaka's wicket in the very next over, but it was Pavan Rathnayake's important innings of 40 that got the hosts to a big total. He alonsgide Charith Asalanka (28*) ensured that the team finished on a strong note at 189/5 after 20 overs.

In reply, England lost the in-form Phil Salt in the first over itself to Matheesha Pathirana. The duo of Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell tried to stitch a big partnership, but the latter got dismissed for 13 runs by Shanaka in the fifth over. The hosts seemed to be in control of the game before rain unexpectedly stopped play during the eighth over. The long delay saw three overs get deducted and England's target get reduced from 190 to 168.

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Though they lost Buttler for 39 runs in the 10th over, the visitors made their way back into the game thanks to the brilliant partnership between Banton and Harry Brook. While the former batted in a sensible manner, the latter went all out from the get-go and smacked four sixes in his quick-fire knock of 36 that was eventually brought to an end by Pathirana in the 13th over. Banton shifted gears after the dismissal and soon went on to reach his half-century.

Banton and Curran guide England to the target

He remained unbeaten on 54 while Sam Curran played an impactful cameo of 20 as England reached the 168-run target after 16.4 overs and won the match by six wickets. It proved to be a game that went down to the wire as the visitors only had two deliveries left to spare in their innings. The win not only saw them seal the series, but it will also act as a big confidence booster for them heading into the T20 World Cup. The final T20I of the assignment between Sri Lanka and England will be held on February 3.