England completed a convincing six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the second T20 international to wrap up the three-match series with a game to spare at Pallekele on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Having edged the opener by 11 runs, the tourists produced another clinical display to take an unassailable 2-0 lead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"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."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
At that stage, the hosts sensed an opening as their spinners tightened the screws and dragged England behind the required rate.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However Brook changed the complexion of the chase in the blink of an eye.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Recalled in place of Dhananjaya de Silva, Pavan Rathnayake impressed with a composed 40 off 22 balls.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.
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