England thrashed Sri Lanka by 89 runs to complete a 3-0 clean sweep in the T20I series at the Rose Bowl, Southampton. Riding on half-centuries of Dawid Malan (78 off 48) and Jonny Bairstow (51 off 43), the hosts had posted 180/6 after coming to bat first.
Kusal Perera’s men had been criticised for a lack of batting proactiveness in the first two games. They fared worse in the third encounter and were bowled out for 91 in 18.5 overs, with Binura Fernando top-scoring 14-ball 20.
Let us have a look at how each of the Sri Lankan players fared in the three-match T20I series against England.
Dushmantha Chameera 7.5 (M 3, W 6, Ave 11.67)
Chameera had been the standout performer for Sri Lanka. He finished as the leading wicket-taker, with 6 scalps at an economy rate of 6.26. During his 4-17 in the last match, he got Dawid Malan, Sam Billings, Eoin Morgan, and Moeen Ali.
Dasun Shanaka 5 (M 3, R 65, Ave 21.67, C 4)
Shanaka, the only Sri Lankan batter with a fifty, looked solid in the first match. However, his next two innings amounted to a mere 15. He also held four catches, joint highest with Chris Jordan.
Binura Fernando 5 (M 2, W 2, Ave 21.5, R 20, Ave 20)
Chameera was ably supported by Binura, although the latter only played the last two matches. He claimed two wickets at 6.14, and smashed a 14-ball 20 in his only innings.
Wanindu Hasaranga 4.5 (M 3, W 2, Ave 37, R 9, Ave 3, C 2)
Hasaranga, Sri Lanka’s top decorated all-rounder, impressed with ball in the first two games following with 4-0-12-0 and 4-0-20-2. However, he conceded 42 in the last match and remained wicketless. With bat, he made 5, 3, and 1.
Isuru Udana 4 (M 3, W 3, Ave 36.67, R 25, Ave 25)
Udana was impressive in the first two games, returning 1-30 and 1-25. However, the England batters targeted him in the last match to add quick runs, and he got 1-55. He also scored an unbeaten 14-ball 19 in the second match.
Kusal Perera 3.5 (M 3, R 54, Ave 18)
The Sri Lankan skipper did score 30 and 21 respectively in the first two games but failed to convert these into anything major. His strike rate was an uncharacteristically low 95.
Kusal Mendis 3 (M 3, R 54, Ave 18)
Mendis scored a run-a-ball 39 in the second game, but his other two innings fetched him just 15 runs more.
Danushka Gunathilaka 2.5 (M 3, 26, Ave 8.66, C 2)
Gunathilaka failed on the top of the order. All he managed was 19, 3 and 4, though he held two excellent catches.
Oshada Fernando 2.5 (M 1, R 19, Ave 19)
Oshada played the final game and took 27 balls for his 19.
Lakshan Sandakan 2 (M 1, W 0)
Sandakan bowled four overs in his only game but failed to bag any wicket. He conceded 28.
Niroshan Dickwella 1.5 (M 2, R 14, Ave 7)
Dickwella played the last two matches and wasted both opportunities, scoring 3 and 11 at a strike rate of 64.
Akila Dananjaya 1 (M 2, W 0)
Dananjaya bowled 5.1 overs in two matches, conceded 53 and remained wicketless.
Avishka Fernando 1 (M 2, R 6, Ave 3)
Avishka, one of the best young Sri Lankan talents in recent years, got 6 and 0.
Dhananjaya de Silva 1 (M 1, R 3, Ave 3)
Dhananjaya played the first game but did not bowl a single over. He scored 3 before Mark Wood removed him.
Nuwan Pradeep 1 (M 1, W 0)
Pradeep bowled two overs in his only game, returning 23 for no wicket.