Pallekele, Sri Lanka – England completed a dominant T20 series victory over Sri Lanka on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, securing a 3-0 sweep with a 12-run win in a low-scoring contest. The result provides a significant boost of momentum for England as they head into the T20 World Cup, which begins on Saturday, February 8th.
Defending a modest total of 128-9, England’s spinners proved decisive, claiming nine Sri Lankan wickets and ultimately bowling the hosts out for 116 in 19.3 overs. The victory marked the lowest total England has ever successfully defended in a T20 international match.
The match unfolded as a tale of two batting performances. England struggled to gain traction early in their innings, with opener Ben Duckett dismissed for a golden duck. Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, and captain Harry Brook all fell for single-digit scores, leaving England reeling at 60-6. A crucial partnership led by Sam Curran, who struck a career-best 58 off 48 balls, provided much-needed stability and pushed England towards a competitive total. Curran was eventually dismissed with the penultimate ball of the innings.
Sri Lankan seamer Dushmantha Chameera was the pick of the bowlers, delivering a devastating spell that yielded figures of 5-24. Despite Chameera’s brilliance, England managed to post 128-9, a score that ultimately proved sufficient.
Sri Lanka’s chase began promisingly, with Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake building a platform. However, the introduction of spin triggered a dramatic collapse. Luke Wood and Liam Dawson struck early blows, before Will Jacks and Adil Rashid applied further pressure, claiming key wickets. Mendis and Rathnayake fell to consecutive deliveries, shifting the momentum firmly in England’s favor.
The turning point came with the introduction of part-time spinner Jacob Bethell. Bethell’s spell was nothing short of remarkable, as he dismantled the Sri Lankan middle order, taking three wickets in just five balls. He later returned to dismiss Maheesh Theekshana, completing a phenomenal individual performance of 4-11. Will Jacks also impressed with the ball, finishing with figures of 3-14.
Sri Lanka reached 90-4 before Jacks removed both Kamindu Mendis and Janith Liyanage in consecutive overs, further tightening England’s grip on the game. Despite a brief resistance, the hosts were unable to recover from Bethell’s onslaught and ultimately succumbed to the pressure.
The series win underscores England’s strong preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India. Captain Harry Brook highlighted the team’s positive momentum, stating after the second T20I, a six-wicket win, that the team was “gearing up well for the World Cup and couldn’t have asked anything better from the lads.” Brook also emphasized the importance of their spin department, noting that “spin will be a key factor playing in this part of the world.”
England’s World Cup campaign begins against Nepal on at 09:30 GMT. The series victory against Sri Lanka, built on a combination of resilient batting from Curran and a dominant spin performance, positions them as strong contenders in the tournament.
The series also highlighted the versatility within the England squad. While Curran’s half-century was crucial in the final match, Tom Banton’s unbeaten half-century in the second T20I demonstrated England’s batting depth. The ability to adapt and perform under pressure will be vital as they navigate the challenges of the World Cup.
For Sri Lanka, the series loss represents a setback ahead of co-hosting the World Cup. Despite Chameera’s impressive bowling performance in the final match, the batting lineup consistently struggled to build substantial partnerships. Addressing these vulnerabilities will be crucial if they are to make a significant impact in the tournament.
