England thrash Sri Lanka to reclaim top spot in T20 world rankings
England completed a 3-0 T20 series sweep over Sri Lanka with a dominant eight-wicket win in the third match, returning to number one in the world rankings ahead of India.
England secured a commanding eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the third T20 international at Old Trafford, sealing a 3-0 series whitewash and reclaiming the top spot in the world T20 rankings from India.
Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 124 in 18.5 overs after England's pace attack dominated. Sonny Baker took 2-17, Jofra Archer recovered from an expensive opening over to finish with 2-23, and Jamie Overton conceded only 15 runs across his full four-over allocation.
England then chased down the target in just 9.4 overs. Captain Jos Buttler finished unbeaten on 62 from 32 balls, while Harry Brook contributed 33 before being run out. Their second-wicket partnership of 85 runs turned the chase into a formality.
The win, completed with 62 balls to spare, was England's biggest margin of victory in balls remaining in a home T20 international. It also marked their 23rd win in 26 completed T20s since Brook took over as captain in the summer of 2024.
England's fielding was sharp throughout, highlighted by Liam Dawson's direct-hit run-out of Eshan Malinga and a smart catch from Brook to dismiss Pathum Nissanka. Sri Lanka, by contrast, were untidy in the field, conceding 17 runs in wides and missing several chances.
New Test coach Stephen Fleming watched the match. With the next men's T20 World Cup not until 2028, England will now turn their attention to the 50-over World Cup in southern Africa in autumn 2027. A three-match one-day international series against Sri Lanka begins in Durham on Tuesday.
