England won by 5 wkts - 2nd Inn reduced to 18 overs due to rain (DLS target-103)
PLAYER OF THE MATCH : Liam Livingstone
Batter
Bowler
2-0 to England then, as they brush aside Sri Lanka (not without a scare, though), and in a slightly less characteristic manner, win the deciding T20I - with attrition in the middle order after the "Hail-Mary" approach at the top failed against the new ball. Sri Lanka have a lot of soul-searching to do, and they can perhaps be less timid with the bat in the final T20I with nothing at stake. We'll be calling it a night here at Cricbuzz, and float into dreamland with 4 minutes for the clock to strike 3AM. Ciao for now!
Liam Livingstone | Man of the match: When I went in, Sam Billings said try to run hard, and I've batted with him before, so it was good to see the team home. This is a different role, finishing, but I've had it in the back of my mind while playing for Lancashire, to see the team home even after opening, which is ultimately your goal. I don't see the pressure, I like coming into this environment that Morgs has created to play cricket. I enjoy the freedom to express myself in cricket, which is an idea that Morgs endorses.
Eoin Morgan | England captain: With the WC in mind, this is a good challenge. It's normally a good wicket to bat on, but with the hiccup we had early, we tried to force the equation with the bat, but Sam and Liam showed the depth we had. Liam impressed in every opportunity, and Sam filled Jos's shoes nicely too. Liam has an abundance of swagger - may be a Lancashire thing and we let him be that way, and he likes to contribute in all facets of the game. Wood is just amazing, with that pace, we're really fortunate to have someone like him in fine form.
Kusal Perera | SL captain: Not ideal to be on the losing side, but our bowling was good. The concern is the batting. The conditions are not an excuse, and we need 140-150 to give our bowlers a chance. Our intent is positive cricket, but we haven't executed too well. We need to get back up soon.
22:12 Local Time, 21:12 GMT, 02:42 IST: Just in the nick of time, England rush home, because it's absolutely pouring at Cardiff! England's chase didn't get off to the best start, with an uncharacteristic top-order collapse before attrition took over - perhaps the clouds from that 6-day Test have cast an infectious omen on this T20. It needed a good partnership between Billings and Livingstone full of strike-rotation to get them to safety by the time the clouds could hold it in no longer. Eventually, once play resumed and the target was revised, England had run out of patience and sprinted home, nullofying the early new-ball damage. Presentations coming right up.
Dananjaya to Sam Curran, SIX, just as the rain comes down, Sam Curran charges and wins the race against the flighted ball, as he lofts this over long-on for six to hand England an unsurmountable 2-0 lead in the series!
Akila Dananjaya [1.0-0-7-0] is back into the attack
END OF OVER 16
9 Runs
ENG: 102 - 5
4 1 1 1 1 1
Sam Curran
10 (7)
Liam Livingstone
29 (26)
Isuru Udana
4-0-25-1
Udana to Sam Curran, 1 run, short and into the helmet, pulled away in front of deep square leg for a single. Scores level.
Udana to Livingstone, 1 run, low full-toss outside off, sliced away towards third man for one as the square leg umpire realizes he's at point
Udana to Sam Curran, 1 run, full-toss on middle and leg, whipped away towards long-on for a single. 100 up.
Udana to Livingstone, 1 run, full one on the pads, Livingstone walks at the ball and works it towards mid-wicket for one
Udana to Sam Curran, 1 run, onto the pads, clipped away to backward square leg for a single
Udana to Sam Curran, FOUR, short, wide, hit-me delivery, and that's crashed to sweeper cover for four. England edge closer.
Isuru Udana [3.0-0-16-1] is back into the attack
END OF OVER 15
7 Runs
ENG: 93 - 5
0 L4 W 0 2 1
Sam Curran
3 (3)
Liam Livingstone
27 (24)
Wanindu Hasaranga
4-0-20-2
Hasaranga to Sam Curran, 1 run, works this one off the pads into the on-side for a single to end a good spell from the leg-spinner
Hasaranga to Sam Curran, 2 runs, loopy and full, converted into a full-toss, and that's whipped away towards wide long-on for a couple
Hasaranga to Sam Curran, no run, tossed up on middle, Sam Curran gets across and flicks to mid-on
Sam Curran, left handed bat, comes to the crease
Hasaranga to Billings, out Bowled!! He chops it on! Billings doesn't read this skiddy flipper outside off, tries cutting it away and gets an under-edge into the stumps! Looks disappointed as he walks back. Billings b Hasaranga 24(29) [4s-2]
Hasaranga to Billings, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!