Despite a collapse, England won the T20I three-game series against Sri Lanka with a five-wicket victory in the second game in Cardiff. The home team continued with the revised rain target from 103 to 17th.
Collapse at the top
Unlike the first game, the home side didn't get off to a good start, losing four wickets in the first seven overs. Binura Fernando generated some swing at Jonny Bairstow Castle. Dushmantha Chameera then caught Dawid Malan on the shuffle to win it over LBW.
At this point, Eoin Morgan and Jason Roy have crossed a lot of limits to lift the home team. However, against the run of the game Morgan cut a point as Roy pierced the long-range outfielder to leave England in a 36-for-4 point of trouble. Jos Buttler's absence due to an injury also did not help their cause.
Livingstone and Sam Billings in the foreground
Just in time, Sam Billings and Liam Livingstone (29 *) shared a stand of 54 to support the heats. The duo pinched the singles and both, along the occasional limit to guide the team to 69 for 4 when play was halted due to rain.
When the rain subsided, England needed 34 more six-overs runs using the DLS method. The pair took the aggressive route with Billings cutting Chameera for a limit and Livingstone recovering the same pitcher for a six. Just when it looked like the duo would bring England home, Hasaranga smothered Billings. Livingstone and Sam Curran then led the side of the house.
sri lankan stutter
Earlier, on a track that offered something for the crimps, the Sri Lankan batsmen struggled to keep the scoreboard and ended up with a lower-than-average total. Kusal Mendis scored the best goal with a run-a-ball 39. Kusal Perera, the skipper, was the only other batsman to cross the 20 point mark. Isuru Udana, lower in order, had a four and a six in the final to push Sri Lanka to pass 100.
The frantic pace of Mark Wood
For the hosts, Wood played with real rhythm to put the Sri Lankan batsmen under pressure. He was rewarded for his efforts when he forced Mendis to shoot one to the square leg in the 14th with Bairstow pocketing a nice catch. On the next ball, he also dislodged Niroshan Dickwella. Wood, however, missed a hat trick when he beat Hasaranga's outside edge with a delivery of 93 mph. Adil Rashid also played his part by grabbing a few scalps.
Short scores: Sri Lanka 111/7 in 20 overs (Kusal Mendis 39; Mark Wood 2-18) lost to England 108/5 in 16.1 overs (Liam Livingstone 29 *; Wanindu Hasaranga 2-20) by five wickets via the DLS method.
Know more: Live cricket score
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