NEW DELHI: Left arm spinner Dunith Wellalage delivered a match shaping spell of 3 for 26 as Sri Lanka national cricket team produced a disciplined bowling effort to restrict England cricket team to 146 for nine in their Super Eights fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Sunday.
Phil Salt top scored with a 62 off 40 balls but received little support as wickets kept falling at the other end.
We set Sri Lanka a target of 147 in Kandy.
Scorecard: pic.twitter.com/iPQfacHnUf
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 22, 2026
After a modest group stage, England’s approach in the second phase was far removed from skipper Harry Brook’s pre match talk of aggressive cricket.
Sri Lanka choked the English top order in the powerplay and picked up two quick wickets to leave them struggling at 37 for two after six overs. The pitch offered some help to the bowlers but not to the extent suggested by England’s cautious batting.
Buttler and Brook fall to spin trap
With Jos Buttler enduring a lean run and showing vulnerability against spin, Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka introduced Wellalage early.
The move paid off handsomely as Wellalage removed Buttler and Brook in his opening spell to reduce England to 68 for four in 10 overs. He deceived Brook with a slower delivery that drifted in and struck him on the pads.
Buttler, who made 7 off 14 balls, became the first casualty after failing to execute a reverse sweep, adding to his struggles and potentially opening the door for someone like Ben Duckett in the next match given his strong record against spin.
Salt lone bright spot in England collapse
Maheesh Theekshana returned figures of 2 for 21 and dismissed Jacob Bethell, who offered a leading edge to Dilshan Madushanka at third man. Dilshan Madushanka was economical with the new ball and later claimed 2 for 25 in his four overs.
Tom Banton was run out after attempting a risky single while Sam Curran was caught in the deep off Dushmantha Chameera.
Salt was the only batter to show intent. Surviving the powerplay for the first time in the tournament, he struck a six over extra cover off Wellalage and another over fine leg against Chameera to reach his fifty in 36 balls.
However, Wellalage returned to remove Salt when the opener failed to clear long off with a tired shot, and England’s innings unraveled quickly thereafter.
(With PTI Inputs)
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