England Begin T20I Series with Commanding DLS Victory Over Sri Lanka
England reinforced their status as strong contenders for the upcoming T20 World Cup after grinding out an 11-run Duckworth-Lewis-Stern victory over Sri Lanka in the opening T20I at Pallekele on Friday. The match, reduced to 17 overs per side due to rain, saw England dominate both with ball and bat to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Sam Curran's Hat-Trick Proves Decisive in Sri Lankan Collapse
Sam Curran emerged as the decisive factor in England's triumph, claiming a spectacular hat-trick as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 133 in just 16.2 overs. Curran became only the second England player after Chris Jordan to register a T20I hat-trick, wrapping up the Sri Lankan innings just as the hosts threatened to post a competitive total.
The hat-trick sequence was particularly impressive:
- Curran began by having skipper Dasun Shanaka caught at mid-off
- He then saw Maheesh Theekshana hole out to long-on
- The left-armer produced a full, swinging delivery to bowl Matheesha Pathirana
The last pair managed just four runs before Jamie Overton dismissed Wanindu Hasaranga for 14, as Sri Lanka collapsed from 129 for six to 133 all out in the space of five deliveries.
Spin Turns the Tide After Sri Lanka's Strong Start
Sri Lanka had initially surged to 76 for one inside seven overs before England's spin attack turned the tide dramatically. Leg-spinner Adil Rashid struck three crucial times to stall the hosts' momentum and was deservedly named Man of the Match for his game-changing intervention.
England captain Harry Brook praised his team's execution, stating, "Our execution was good tonight. We are happy with the progress we have made and it's all about building up nicely for the World Cup. Sam Curran was awesome. He had a tough start tonight, but he bounced back so well."
Phil Salt Anchors England's Chase with Fluent Knock
Opener Phil Salt, the world's second-ranked T20I batter, anchored England's chase with a fluent 46 off 35 balls, setting the tone for what proved to be a comfortable victory. Tom Banton provided crucial momentum with a rapid 29 off 15 balls that included three fours and two sixes, ensuring England maintained control throughout their innings.
Sri Lanka's sloppy fielding, which featured two dropped regulation catches, further hurt their cause, though the hosts were already defending an under-par total against a formidable England line-up.
Rain Intervenes as England Cruise to Victory
England required only nine runs from the final two overs with six wickets in hand when rain halted play. With the visitors well ahead on DLS calculations, they were declared winners, securing an important psychological advantage ahead of the remaining matches.
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka expressed disappointment with his team's performance, saying, "Very disappointed with the way we handled things out in the middle. We need to be better with the options that we take. We have the potential no doubt, but we aren't delivering out in the middle."
Series Continues with World Cup Preparations in Focus
The two sides meet again at the same venue on Sunday, with the series set to conclude on Tuesday. This three-match contest serves as a crucial dress rehearsal for the T20 World Cup, allowing both teams to fine-tune their combinations and strategies ahead of the global tournament.
England's comprehensive performance sends a strong message to their World Cup rivals, demonstrating their depth in both batting and bowling departments. The visitors showed particular strength in adapting to challenging conditions and making the most of opportunities when they presented themselves.
For Sri Lanka, the match highlighted areas needing improvement, particularly in fielding and middle-order batting stability. The hosts will be looking to bounce back strongly in the remaining matches to build confidence ahead of their own World Cup campaign.
