Banton whacks England to victory over Sri Lanka

Tom Banton acknowledges his half-century Visuals Credit: SLC

Tom Banton whacked an unbeaten half-century as England pulled off a brilliant DLS chase to beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in the second T20 international.
The players had gone off for rain with England 57-2 off 7.2 overs - Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell the batters out - and when they returned the tourists were set a revised DLS target of 168 off 17 overs.
Jos Buttler laid the platform with a 29-ball 39 but Harry Brook truly gave England belief during a brutal and breathtaking cameo in Pallekele.
Brook spanked four sixes during a knock of 36 off 12 balls as he seized the initiative only to be caught scooping the slingy Matheesha Pathirana.
With 38 runs off 33 balls required, Banton played with calculated aggression en route to 54 not out off 33 balls to put England on the brink of victory.
The match went down to the final over but Sam Curran duly whacked Janith Liyanage for six to wrap up the win with two balls to spare.
Sri Lanka had earlier posted a competitive 189-5 after being inserted by England as Pavan Rathnayake top scored with 40 off 22 balls.
Pathum Nissanka had set the tone for the hosts as he and fellow opener Kamil Mishara hammered 35 off the first two overs of the match.
However, England's spinners stymied the hosts attacking intent with controlled spells through the middle overs as Adil Rashid, Liam Dawson and Will Jacks all picked up a wicket apiece.
Jofra Archer claimed 2-42 but fellow seamers Jamie Overton and Curran were both expensive and wicketless.
England's victory ensured they clinched the series 2-0 with one match left to play before their opening match of the T20 World Cup against Nepal on 8 February. 
(Agencies)