England returned to the summit of the T20 world rankings, surpassing India, with another thumping of Sri Lanka to complete a 3-0 series whitewash in Manchester on Saturday. The hosts made quick work of an eight-wicket win at Old Trafford, following equally emphatic 119-run and six-wicket successes earlier this week in Southampton and Cardiff respectively. England’s latest victory was all but assured after Sri Lanka were dismissed for just 124, with two wickets apiece for Sonny Baker, Jofra Archer and Will Jacks.
England surpassed India at the top, despite the Shreyas Iyer-led side beating Afghanistan 3-0 earlier this week.
“Everyone stepped up, especially lads who haven’t played as much. That is my main priority and why I don’t play franchise cricket. “We want to be a side when the conditions aren’t in our favour where we are still able to manufacture a win.
The home side then cruised to their meagre target in under 10 overs, with Jos Buttler 62 not out after sharing a partnership of 85 with captain Harry Brook as Stephen Fleming, the new England Test coach, looked on. But the 27-year-old, who plundered 170 runs in the series, said: “I want to play as much cricket as I can for England.
“Being back at world number one in T20s is an amazing achievement and one everyone should be really proud of,” said Brook. “For Sonny Baker to bowl three overs in the powerplay in two games is an amazing achievement, not going for many runs and taking wickets,” said Brook. “A very disappointing series for us with both batting and bowling,” said visiting skipper Charith Asalanka.
