England beat Sri Lanka to secure T20 series 2-0

England cricketer Jos Buttler with former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in 2023. FILE PHOTO.

CARDIFF — September 17, 2026

England beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in Cardiff on Thursday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three-match T20 series.

Liam Dawson took three wickets as England restricted Sri Lanka to 145 for nine before reaching the target with 47 balls to spare. Tom Banton led the chase with an unbeaten 52 from 24 balls.

England had won the opening match in Southampton by 119 runs on Tuesday. The victory in Cardiff was their 14th consecutive T20 win against Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka made a strong start after England chose to bowl, reaching 56 without loss. Pathum Nissanka scored 37 from 21 balls before England fought back through Dawson and the rest of the bowling attack.

Dawson finished with three wickets for 32 runs and was named Player of the Match. Jofra Archer, returning to the side after missing the first game, took two wickets, including two in the final over.

England began their chase quickly, reaching 48 without loss after four overs. Aneurin Donald and Jos Buttler were then dismissed in quick succession, followed by Harry Brook for 23.

Banton steadied the innings and completed an unbeaten half-century from only 24 deliveries. England reached 146 for four in 12.1 overs to complete another comfortable win.

The match also marked a major milestone for Buttler, who became the first player to reach 15,000 career runs in T20 cricket. He reached the mark with a single during his 30-run innings.

Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka said his team needed to improve after falling short in both matches. The visitors will have one more opportunity to avoid a series whitewash when the teams meet at Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday.

The England-Sri Lanka schedule confirms the third T20 will be played in Manchester on September 19.