Bethell-Jacks spin web stun Sri Lanka as England seal low-scoring 3rd T20I cliffhanger

England beat Sri Lanka in 3rd T20I. [Source - AFP]

England completed a 3–0 clean sweep with a tense, low-scoring 12-run victory in the third T20I against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, February 3. A pressure-driven bowling effort saw England edge past the hosts in a thriller at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

Here, we take a look at the complete highlights of the third T20I between Sri Lanka and England, as it unfolded on Tuesday, February 3, in Pallekele.

England batting shattered early to Sri Lanka’s ruthless powerplay assault

After electing to bat first, England began their innings in disarray as they lost four wickets inside the first six overs, managing only 35 on the board. The new ball was nipping early, and Sri Lanka’s pace attack exploited the conditions perfectly, leaving England struggling to find any rhythm.

Dushmantha Chameera made an instant impact on his return, removing Ben Duckett for a golden duck. Matheesha Pathirana continued the carnage, dismissing Jacob Bethell and captain Harry Brook, leaving England in a clueless position. Tom Banton, despite form, fell to Dunith Wellalage, further derailing England’s early woes.

Jos Buttler and Sam Curran then joined hands and tried to reconstruct the innings, but Maheesh Theekshana had other ideas, rattling Buttler’s stumps, reducing England to a crumbling 59 for 5, at the halfway 10th over mark, humiliated by Sri Lanka’s precision and aggression with the ball in Pallekele.

Sam Curran’s fight in vain as Chameera runs through England with a 5-fer

England’s struggles continued after the 10th over as Dushmantha Chameera struck again, taking Will Jacks as the sixth wicket. The spinners then came into the attack, turning the ball sharply and giving England almost no chance to fight back on what looked like a phase which was gripping the ball hard.

Sam Curran tried to hold the innings together and got help from Liam Dawson. The pair added 47 important runs for the seventh wicket. Curran hit some big shots and comp, but England could not recover, with Sri Lanka keeping complete control of the match.

Chameera came back to clean up the tail, completing a five-wicket haul on his return. England were all out for just 128 in 20 overs. Pathirana took 2 for 27 and Theekshana gave away only 16 runs in four overs, dominating England completely.

Sri Lanka collapse in shocking fashion as England spinners run riot

Sri Lanka, chasing a modest 129, began cautiously, reaching 46 before losing both openers. Kusal Mendis looked in rhythm, playing fluently, but England’s spinners, Adil Rashid and Will Jacks, soon tightened the screws, reducing the hosts to 65 for 4 at the halfway stage.

Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis steadied the innings with calm heads, their partnership injecting hope into Sri Lanka’s chase. They went big to inch closer to the target, but England read the conditions well, sensed desperation, and introduced Jacob Bethell, who alongside Will Jacks ripped through the lower middle-order.

With the equation down to 21 off 18 balls, Bethell delivered a decisive 18th over, claiming three crucial wickets to swing momentum firmly England’s way. Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 116, falling 12 runs short, as Bethell completed a 4-fer with England sealing the low-scoring third T20I at Pallekele.