England win against Sri Lanka in 2nd T20I at Cardiff

Cardiff: Liam Livingstone saw England to a series-clinching win over Sri Lanka as the hosts overcame a batting slump in a rain-affected second T20I at Sophia Gardens on Thursday.

England appeared to have the game sown up after holding Sri Lanka to 111 at Glamorgan’s headquarters.

But they collapsed to 36-4 in the face of some spirited Sri Lanka bowling chasing 112 — a target reduced to 103 from 18 overs following a rain delay.

But Sam Billings (24) and Livingstone (29 not out) steadied the innings.

Billings fell shortly before the finish but Sam Curran (16 not out) helped England to a five-wicket win with 11 balls to spare as the world’s top-ranked T20 side went 2-0 up in this



three-match series.

“Any test that we come up against at this stage, with the (T20) World Cup in mind, is a good challenge — anything out of the ordinary is good,” England captain Eoin Morgan told Sky Sports.

Earlier, a fine collective effort in the field saw Sri Lanka held to a meagre total, with 111 the fewest number of runs England have conceded when bowling their full 20 overs at this level.

Fast bowler Mark Wood (2-18) and leg-spinner Adil Rashid (2-24) led the way as England avoided conceding a boundary in the powerplay for the first time in a T20I.

Kusal Mendis (39) and Kusal Perera (21) provided the only meaningful resistance with the bat.