Pallekele: The pace-spin duo of Jofra Archer and Will Jacks tore through Sri Lanka’s top-order after Phil Salt’s 40-ball 62 to set up a sensational 51-run win for England in an eventful Super Eights fixture of the T20 World Cup here on Sunday.
After left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage (3/26) did the star turn for a disciplined Sri Lankan attack to limit a scratchy England to 146 for nine, the islanders seemed to have the match under control.
But speedster Jofra and off-spinner all-rounder Jacks turned the game on its head in the second
half, leaving Sri Lanka tottering at 34 for five in the sixth over in a total domination of the powerplay. Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 95 in 16.4 overs.
Jacks returned fine figures of 3/22 in four measly overs while Archer ended with 2/20 in three overs, and they were well supported by Liam Dawson (2/27 in 4 overs) and Adil Rashid (2/13 in 3.4 overs) as they wrapped up the lower-order and tail.
In the end, Salt’s knock too proved to be vital to the final outcome of the match, even as his other colleagues in the batting unit failed miserably.
For Sri Lanka, skipper Dasun Shanaka was the top scorer with 30 off 24 balls.
If England’s start was bad, Sri Lanka’s beginning was worse as Jofra got rid of the dangerous Pathum Nissanka (9 off 8 balls) cheaply, caught by Jamie Overton
who was asked to stand at deep mid-wicket just before that ball and the opener fell into the trap to a fast and full delivery.
Reprising the role played by Wellalage in the first half, Jacks then got into the act by removing Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake in successive balls.
Archer had Kamil Mishara caught by Overton at gully and Jacks sent Wellalage after he played across the line to get caught by skipper Harry Brook at mid-on.
A soft dismissal off Liam Dawson saw Kamindu Mendis take the long walk back to the Lankan dugout, leaving the packed house in Pallekele stunned.
Earlier, having struggled in the group-stage games, England’s batters’ start to the second phase of the showpiece was in stark contrast to captain Brook’s assertion of playing aggressive cricket in the Super Eights.
Not only did Sri Lanka stifle the English top-order in the powerplay, but they also managed to snaffle a couple of wickets to leave the visitors at a poor 37 for two at the end of the first six overs, on a pitch that offered something for the bowlers but not as much as the batters made it look.
Considering Jos Buttler’s woeful run of form in the tournament and his recent struggles against spinners, it was not surprising to see Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka using Wellalage in the powerplay.
Wellalage did a wonderful job, snaring the wickets of Butter and Brook (14 off 7 balls) in his first three overs to leave England precariously placed at 68 for four in
10 overs, dismissing the captain as their innings approached the halfway mark.