Tom Bantons Half-Century Powers England to Six-Wicket Victory

Tom Banton’s remarkable 54* off 33 balls helped England defeat Sri Lanka by six wickets in the second T20, giving them a 2-0 lead in the series. The match was reduced under the DLS method due to rain. England chased down the target of 173 in 16.4 overs. Banton’s innings included three sixes and four fours, while Jos Buttler contributed 39 runs off 29 balls.

Sri Lanka batted first and scored 189-5 in 20 overs. Pavan Rathnayake top-scored for his team with 40 off 22 balls. Pathum Nissanka (34 off 22) and Kamil Mishara (36) gave a strong start as an opening pair, but they came under pressure from the bowling of Jofra Archer, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, and Adil Rashid. Rathnayake and Charith Asalanka (28*) added 56 runs for the fifth wicket to stabilize the innings.

England started cautiously, but Banton’s brave batting ensured the win. He first shared a 43-run partnership off 28 balls with Buttler, and later added quick runs with captain Harry Brook (36) and Sam Curran (20*), securing the victory. Brook struck four sixes off 12 balls to bring the target within reach.

The final T20 of the series against Sri Lanka will be played at Pallekele on Tuesday.