In a thrilling match that kept fans on the edge of their seats, England emerged victorious over Sri Lanka by 12 runs to complete a clean sweep of the series. The hero of the day was none other than Jacob Bethell, who took a four-wicket haul to secure the win for his team.
The third and final match of the series was a must-win for Sri Lanka, who were looking to salvage some pride after losing the first two matches. However, England had other plans and were determined to maintain their dominance throughout the series. The match began with England winning the toss and electing to bat first.
The English openers, Tom Banton and Jonny Bairstow, got off to a solid start, putting on a 50-run partnership before Banton was dismissed by Sri Lankan spinner, Wanindu Hasaranga. Bairstow, on the other hand, continued his fine form and went on to score a brilliant half-century. He was well supported by Dawid Malan, who also scored a half-century, and together they put on a crucial 100-run partnership.
However, Sri Lanka fought back with some disciplined bowling and managed to restrict England to a total of 180 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Hasaranga was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka, taking 3 wickets for just 26 runs.
Chasing a target of 181 runs, Sri Lanka got off to a shaky start, losing their top-order batsmen early on. It was Jacob Bethell who struck the first blow for England, dismissing Sri Lankan opener, Danushka Gunathilaka, in the second over of the innings. He then went on to take the wickets of Avishka Fernando and Dinesh Chandimal, leaving Sri Lanka struggling at 40 for 3.
Sri Lanka’s hopes were kept alive by a brilliant innings from their captain, Kusal Perera, who scored a quick-fire 77 runs off just 37 balls. However, his efforts were not enough as the rest of the Sri Lankan batsmen failed to provide him with the necessary support. Bethell continued to wreak havoc, taking the wickets of Thisara Perera and Wanindu Hasaranga, and finishing with figures of 4 wickets for just 28 runs.
In the end, Sri Lanka fell short by 12 runs, giving England a clean sweep of the series. The English players were ecstatic, celebrating their victory with high-fives and hugs. The Sri Lankan players, on the other hand, were dejected, having put up a valiant effort but ultimately falling short.
Jacob Bethell was awarded the Man of the Match for his outstanding performance with the ball. In his post-match interview, he said, “It’s a great feeling to contribute to the team’s success. I am glad I was able to take wickets at crucial moments and help us win the series.”
England’s captain, Eoin Morgan, was full of praise for his team’s performance, saying, “It was a fantastic team effort. Everyone played their role to perfection and we were able to come out on top. I am extremely proud of the way the team has played throughout the series.”
On the other hand, Sri Lanka’s captain, Kusal Perera, was disappointed with the result but praised his team’s fighting spirit, saying, “We gave it our all, but unfortunately, we couldn’t get over the line. Credit to England, they played exceptionally well. We will take this as a learning experience and come back stronger in the future.”
With this clean sweep, England has cemented their position as one of the top T20 teams in the world. They have shown great form and consistency throughout the series, and this win will surely boost their confidence for future matches.
As for Sri Lanka, they have a lot to work on, especially in the T20 format. However, they have shown glimpses of their potential and with some improvements, they can surely bounce back in the upcoming matches.
In conclusion, the 3-0 clean sweep by England is a testament to their dominance in the T20 format. They have once again proved why they are one of the best teams in the world. Congratulations to the English team on their well-deserved victory, and commiserations to Sri Lanka for their valiant effort. It was a thrilling series that
