England crush Sri Lanka to seal T20 series win

England secured a six‑wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second Vitality T20 at Cardiff, clinching the series 2‑0 with a match to spare. Sri Lanka were limited to 145‑9 from their 20 overs, with Pathum Nissanka top‑scoring with 37 off 21 balls. Liam Dawson claimed 3‑32, while Jamie Overton added 2‑23 and Sonny Baker contributed a tidy 1‑15, including a wicket maiden in the 19th over. In reply, England reached 146‑4 in just 12.1 overs. Tom Banton remained unbeaten on 52 from 24 balls, striking four sixes. Opener Jos Buttler and Aneurin Donald added 51 in 4.3 overs before both fell inside four balls, scoring 30 and 21 respectively. Captain Harry Brook looked set to break Tilak Varma’s record of 336 T20 runs without a dismissal, needing 49 to do so; he struck three sixes in his 23 off eight balls before a diving catch by Eshan Malinga ended his innings. Brendon McCullum’s side have now won 22 of their last 25 completed T20s since the start of last summer, a win percentage of 88%. India follows with 73% among full‑member nations. Sri Lanka’s batting faltered after a bright start; their openers reached 55‑0 in the first five overs. Dawson struck twice in the death of the powerplay to stall the momentum, and the middle order collapsed, managing only 9‑90 thereafter and a mere 12 runs in the final four overs. The series will conclude at Old Trafford on Saturday, followed by three one‑day internationals.