England beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets at Old Trafford to complete a series whitewash and leapfrog India to become the world's No 1 T20 side, according to the Guardian.
Key facts
- England beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets with more than 10 overs to spare at Old Trafford.
- The win moved England above India to the top of the T20 rankings.
- It was Harry Brook's 23rd win in 26 completed matches as captain.
- Jos Buttler finished the match with a one-handed six.
- England fielded an unchanged side.
England rose to the top of the world Twenty20 rankings after completing a whitewash of Sri Lanka at Old Trafford, according to the Guardian. The result saw England leap over India to claim the No 1 spot, capped by a one-handed six from Jos Buttler.
The margin of victory underlined England’s dominance. They won by eight wickets with more than 10 overs to spare, in what the Guardian described as an exhibition match played in autumn sunshine before a good-natured crowd. With the game finished so early, spectators were left looking for more entertainment as the ground packed up around them.
The win extended a remarkable run for captain Harry Brook, marking his 23rd victory in 26 completed matches since taking charge. England fielded an unchanged side, doing what they had already done twice before against Sri Lanka and seven times over the course of the year.
England’s fielding drew particular praise. The Guardian noted Liam Dawson combining for a neat run-out of Eshan Malinga, Brook taking a double-handed diving catch at short midwicket to dismiss the dangerous Pathum Nissanka, and Jamie Overton blocking Kamil Mishara’s attempt to clear the boundary rope.
The only lapse came when Tom Banton slipped on the grass in front of the press box and missed a chance to remove Kamindu Mendis. But the Guardian observed that this England side could brush aside such blips, with their dominance making the expanse of Old Trafford appear to shrink whenever they were in the field.
Why it matters
Reaching the top of the T20 rankings marks a significant milestone for England and for Harry Brook's captaincy, reflecting a sustained period of success. It reshapes the competitive landscape at the top of the men's short-format game ahead of future tournaments.
Frequently asked questions
How did England become the world No 1 T20 team?
England leapt over India to the top of the T20 rankings by completing a whitewash of Sri Lanka with an eight-wicket win at Old Trafford, according to the Guardian.
What was the margin of England's win over Sri Lanka?
England won by eight wickets with more than 10 overs to spare, the Guardian reported.
How successful has Harry Brook been as captain?
The win was Brook's 23rd in 26 completed matches since he became captain, according to the Guardian.