The China Mail - England underline World Cup credentials with series win over Sri Lanka

The series, a warm-up for the upcoming T20 World Cup to be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India, underlined why England remain among the contenders for the title.

Having edged the opener by 11 runs, the tourists produced another clinical display to take an unassailable 2-0 lead.

"It was an outstanding performance. We are gearing up well for the World Cup and couldn't have asked anything better from the lads," said England captain Harry Brook.

"Our batting looks good and so is our bowling, especially the spin department as we know spin will be a key factor playing in this part of the world."

A rain interruption with England on 57 for two in 7.2 overs saw an original target of 190 revised to 168 in 17 overs under the DLS method.

At that stage, the hosts sensed an opening as their spinners tightened the screws and dragged England behind the required rate.

However Brook changed the complexion of the chase in the blink of an eye.

Brook launched a brutal counter-attack, smashing 36 off just 12 deliveries, peppering the stands with two fours and four towering sixes to swing the momentum firmly England's way.

Brook's assault reduced the equation to a manageable 39 off 27 balls and from there it was a matter of milking the bowling and punishing anything loose.

Tom Banton played the finisher's role to perfection, anchoring the chase with a fluent 54 off 33 balls as England crossed the line with two balls to spare.

Sri Lanka had done well earlier to post 189 for five after being sent in, but against a versatile and deep England batting line-up it was always a total that needed something extra.

Openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara provided a rollicking start, adding 56 off 33 balls, while the middle order, so brittle in the series opener, stood up to push the score to seemingly competitive heights.

Recalled in place of Dhananjaya de Silva, Pavan Rathnayake impressed with a composed 40 off 22 balls.

Sri Lanka's struggles against spin were exposed in the first T20I, but Rathnayake addressed that Achilles' heel with nimble footwork and smart placement, offering a glimpse of promise amid familiar concerns.

"Happy with the way we batted and Pavan Rathnayake was very impressive today. I don't think we finished off well, but we have learned our lessons and we will keep fighting," Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka said.

Tuesday's third T20I will now be a dead rubber. England had also clinched the ODI series in Colombo last week with a come from behind win.

B.Clarke--ThChM