Highlights, England vs Sri Lanka, T20 World Cup 2021, Full Cricket Score: England virtually seal semi-final spot with 26-run win

23:30 (IST)

That brings us to the end of our coverage of the 29th match of the T20 World Cup 2021, with England emerging winners for a fourth time in as many games to become the first team to seal their place in the semis. Kudos to Sri Lanka though for pushing the Group 1 leaders all the way, and they were very much in the game till the time Hasaranga and Shanaka stuck around. They'll be hoping to learn their lessons from this defeat and try and sign out with a win in their remaining match against West Indies. England, on the other hand, have the option of resting a player or two for their remaining group game against South Africa, though one can never be sure if the reigning ODI world champions will want to take their foot off the gas pedal at any stage during the tournament.

That brings us to the end of our coverage of this match. This is Amit Banerjee, signing off and bidding you all goodnight!

23:27 (IST)

Dasun Shanaka: The bowlers been outstanding the whole tournament in the first ten overs. The experience is low. When we started batting, we knew dew would play a role. Wickets cost us the match. Six months back we were not the same team, but we have come a long way. Really happy with the way the boys are fighting.

Eoin Morgan: Incredibly proud. Liam Livingstone and Moeen Ali stepped up unbelievably well to support others with the ball. Jos Buttler played one of his best ever innings in an England shirt. Privileged to play with him and great to have him in the team. Sri Lanka have pushed us further than we have been pushed in the tournament. A combination of unbelievable skill and his calm nature. Today was a bit of a tougher test.

23:22 (IST)

Jos Buttler is the Player of the Match!

Buttler: Stay patient. Managed to get a really good partnership. We were just trying to get something going. At the time we were thinking 120 might be a good score. We were trying to target the small side. Really enjoy batting with Morgs. (Running Shanaka out) Was probably the favourite bit of my day. We were under pressure for a long part in the chase. I was trying to guess where he was trying to bowl, and had batted for quite some time.

23:21 (IST)

Few would say otherwise...

We're not bad are we...#T20WorldCup #ENGvSL

— England's Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) November 1, 2021

23:20 (IST)

After 19 overs,Sri Lanka 137/10 ( Lahiru Kumara 1 , )

Moeen puts the finishing touches, removing Karunaratne and Theekshana in a space of six deliveries to end with 2/15 as England hand Sri Lanka a 26-run loss to not only extend their unbeaten start and collect their fourth win on the trot, but also sealing his side’s semi-final qualification chances.

23:19 (IST)

OUT! Theekshana looks to have some fun with the match virtually out of their grasp, looking to clear the wide long off fence, but ends up offering Jordan the safest of catches. Moeen Ali grabs the remaining wicket off his last delivery of the evening, sealing a 26-run win for England! SL 137 all out

Theekshana c Jordan b Moeen 2(2)

23:09 (IST)

OUT! Karunaratne holes out to the man at long on to depart for a duck, leaving England needing just one more wicket to complete a fourth victory on the trot! SL 134/9

Karunaratne c Roy b Moeen 0(2)

23:07 (IST)

After 18 overs,Sri Lanka 134/8 ( Chamika Karunaratne 0 , Maheesh Theekshana 0)

England effectively seal the game in Jordan’s final over of the evening, with Dasun Shanaka and Dushmantha Chameera departing in a space of five balls. Jordan signs off with 2/24 at the end of his quota, and the equation of 30 off 12 now looks near impossible with no set batter at the crease.

23:06 (IST)

OUT! A second wicket for Chris Jordan off his last delivery of the evening, as Dushmantha Chameera holes out to the fielder standing in front of the boundary at deep backward square leg. SL 134/8

Chameera c Malan b Jordan 4(4)

23:00 (IST)

OUT! Superb piece of work by Jos Buttler, catching Shanaka short of his crease at the striker's end just as the Sri Lanka skipper took a couple of steps forward askng for a single! England may very well have sealed the game with the dismissal of the opposition captain. SL 130/7

Shanaka run out (Buttler) 26(25)

22:59 (IST)

After 17 overs,Sri Lanka 130/6 ( Dasun Shanaka (C) 26 , Chamika Karunaratne 0)

Livingstone starts off with a dot, followed by a couple of singles. Hasaranga slices the ball over point off the fourth to collect his third boundary, but perishes next ball while attempting to clear the fence thanks to a terrific bit of work by Roy and Billings near the wide long off boundary. Seven from the over along with the wicket, with Chamika Karunaratne joining Shanaka at the centre. Sri Lanka need 34 off 18 with four wickets in hand.

22:57 (IST)

OUT! Livingstone strikes just when the Hasaranga-Shanaka partnership was starting to look like a match-winning one. Hasaranga goes for the big hit towards the wide long off/deep extra cover boundary, where Roy pulls off a stunning piece of work with a slide — throwing the ball to Billings in front of him just as he's about to touch the boundary cushion. The umpires take this upstairs with the soft signal out, and sure enough, Hasaranga gets the marching orders. England right back in the game. SL 129/6

Hasaranga c Billings b LIvingstone 34(21)

22:53 (IST)

After 16 overs,Sri Lanka 123/5 ( Dasun Shanaka (C) 24 , Wanindu Hasaranga 29)

If they aren’t able to get the boundaries, Hasaranga and Shanaka are able to keep the scoreboard ticking through the ones and twos. 10 from Jordan’s third over, including a boundary to Hasaranga off an inside out lofted drive over extra cover in the penultimate delivery, leaving Sri Lanka 41 to win off 24.

22:46 (IST)

After 15 overs,Sri Lanka 113/5 ( Dasun Shanaka (C) 22 , Wanindu Hasaranga 21)

Livingstone bowls his third over, keeping things tight until the penultimate delivery, in which Shanaka releases some of the pressure with a well-timed slog over the cow corner fence. 10 from the over, with Sri Lanka needing 51 off 30.

22:39 (IST)

After 14 overs,Sri Lanka 103/5 ( Dasun Shanaka (C) 14 , Wanindu Hasaranga 19)

Mills returns. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are not out of the game yet. Hasaranga, who was stellar with the ball earlier today (3/21) makes room and goes for a well-timed slog over long on at the start of the over. A single and a wide follow, before Shanaka collects a boundary off the third, gloving a short ball down leg past the diving keeper. Mills walks off the ground after the boundary, a hamstring niggle appearing to be the cause of discomfort here. Woakes bowls out the three remaining deliveries of the over, conceding a couple of singles and ending with a dot. Eventful over, with 14 coming off it. SL need 61 off 36.

22:33 (IST)

After 13 overs,Sri Lanka 89/5 ( Dasun Shanaka (C) 9 , Wanindu Hasaranga 11)

Livingstone returns to the attack, with Hasaranga collecting a boundary at the start of the over with a well-timed cut, that is followed by a single off each of the next three deliveries. Seven from the over. SL need 75 off 42.

22:31 (IST)

After 12 overs,Sri Lanka 82/5 ( Dasun Shanaka (C) 8 , Wanindu Hasaranga 5)

Adil Rashid bowls out his final over, conceding five off it including a brace in the fourth as he signs off with excellent figures of 4-0-19-2 — which could very well turn out to be a match-winning haul the way the match is shaping at the moment. SL need 82 off 48.

22:28 (IST)

The asset that Rash is

Morgan's use of Adil Rashid has been excellent; backing him to bowl with mid-on and mid-off up in the power play and conjuring two wickets with batsmen trying to go over.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 1, 2021

22:24 (IST)

After 11 overs,Sri Lanka 77/5 ( Dasun Shanaka (C) 7 , Wanindu Hasaranga 1)

Woakes continues to leak runs as Rajapaksa collects a six and a four off consecutive balls. The latter however, ends up playing a shot too many as he holes out to long on right after the six and four, with Sri Lanka losing their fifth wicket in the process. 11 runs and a wicket from this over. Sri Lanka need 87 off 54.

22:22 (IST)

OUT! Rajapaksa's promising innings comes to an end as he holes out to long on, playing a shot too many as he had collected a six and a four off consecutive balls before the dismissal. Some redemption for Woakes, who had conceded 22 runs from 10 balls until now. SL 76/5

Rajapaksa c Roy b Woakes 26(18)

22:18 (IST)

After 10 overs,Sri Lanka 66/4 ( Bhanuka Rajapaksa 16 , Dasun Shanaka (C) 7)

Another change from the other end, with Tymal Mills being introduced, with eight coming off the 10th over including a boundary to skipper Shanaka off the fourth. Sri Lanka need another 98 to win at the halfway stage, though they’re fast running out of batters at the moment.

22:14 (IST)

After 9 overs,Sri Lanka 58/4 ( Bhanuka Rajapaksa 15 , Dasun Shanaka (C) 1)

Chris Jordan is brought into the attack. And makes an impact right away, trapping Fernando plumb leg-before to send him back to the dugout for 13. Four from the over along with the wicket.

22:06 (IST)

OUT! Now Jordan finds himself among the wickets, trapping Fernando leg before with a yorker-length ball that struck him dead in front of middle. Fernando thought of the review for a second, before heading right back to the dugout. SL 57/4

Fernando LBW Jordan 13(14)

22:01 (IST)

After 8 overs,Sri Lanka 54/3 ( Avishka Fernando 11 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 14)

DROPPED! Adil Rashid nearly grabs a third wicket in as many overs as Chris Woakes puts down a sitter at deep square leg after a miscued slog sweep by Rajapaksa. How costly will that prove for the Englishmen? Four from the over. 

21:58 (IST)

After 7 overs,Sri Lanka 50/3 ( Avishka Fernando 8 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 13)

Liam Livingstone brought into the attack after the powerplay. Rajapaksa, meanwhile, announces himself at the crease with a well-timed strike over the bowler’s head off the third delivery, collecting his first maximum in the process. 10 from the over, with the 50 coming up for the Lankans in this over.

21:54 (IST)

After 6 overs,Sri Lanka 40/3 ( Avishka Fernando 6 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 5)

Rashid strikes again, and in a manner that is almost identical to Asalanka’s dismissal, gets rid of Perera as Morgan takes a fine catch near extra cover. Bhanuka Rajapaksa arrives at the crease with Sri Lanka in a situation similar to that of England at the end of their powerplay. Can Fernando and Rajapaksa pull off a Buttler-Morgan from here? Sri Lanka need another 124 from 84.

21:48 (IST)

OUT! Another wicket for Rashid, this time Perera succumbing to his guile. Much like Asalanka, Perera too gets bamboozled by the wrong 'un, getting a thick leading edge. Morgan backpeddles, completing a fine catch near extra cover. SL 34/3

Perera c Morgan b Rashid 7(9)

21:47 (IST)

After 5 overs,Sri Lanka 34/2 ( Kusal Perera (W) 7 , Avishka Fernando 5)

Chris Jordan introduced in the fifth over. Fernando, meanwhile, gets off the mark with a punch through the cover region, collecting a boundary. Single off each of the last two deliveries.

21:43 (IST)

After 4 overs,Sri Lanka 28/2 ( Kusal Perera (W) 6 , Avishka Fernando 0)

Adil Rashid brought into the attack now. Starts off with a slider that beats Asalanka’s outside edge. Foxes him with the googly two balls later as Asalanka ends up getting a thick leading edge that results in a simple catch for Moeen at the edge of the circle. Avishka Fernando walks in with Sri Lanka in a spot of bother.

21:40 (IST)

OUT! Rashid gets rid of Asalanka just when the southpaw was starting to look dangerous. Asalanka charged down the pitch looking for his second maximum, but got foxed by the wrong 'un, getting a thick leading edge that results in a simple catch for Moeen at the edge of the circle. SL 24/2

Asalanka c Moeen b Rashid 21(16)

21:38 (IST)

After 3 overs,Sri Lanka 24/1 ( Kusal Perera (W) 2 , Charith Asalanka 21)

More runs for Asalanka in Moeen’s second over as he continues to lead Sri Lanka’s revival, collecting a couple of boundaries in this over, both coming off slog sweeps. 10 from this over.

21:36 (IST)

After 2 overs,Sri Lanka 14/1 ( Kusal Perera (W) 1 , Charith Asalanka 12)

Chris Woakes, who has been a handy powerplay option for Morgan this World Cup, from the other end. Charith Asalanka, who walks in at three, goes hammer and tongs right away with a six and a four off consecutive balls to give the Lankans a boost. 12 from this over.

21:32 (IST)

After 1 over,Sri Lanka 2/1 ( Kusal Perera (W) 0 , Charith Asalanka 1)

Just the start the Englishmen would’ve wanted, as a superb bit of fielding by Morgan at square leg followed by some sharp work by Buttler behind the stumps results in the dangerous Pathum Nissanka departing for just 1. Shaky start to Sri Lanka’s run chase. Just two from the first over, bowled by Moeen.

21:27 (IST)

OUT! Trouble for Sri Lanka early on as Pathum Nissanka, the top-scorer in the previous game against South Africa, departs for just 1, falling short of the striker's end after responding to Perera's call for a single. Sharp throw from Morgan at square leg and Buttler is quick to whip the bails off. SL 1/1

Nissanka run out (Morgan/Buttler) 1(1)

21:26 (IST)

Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera begin Sri Lanka's chase of the tricky 164-run target with Moeen Ali handed the new ball.

21:16 (IST)

After 20 overs,England 163/4 ( Jos Buttler (W) 101 , Moeen Ali 1)

Chameera bowls the final over. Buttler shuffles to his right to a full toss, scooping it over short fine to start the over with a boundary, moving into the 90s. Follows it up with a brace. DROPPED! Buttler gets a thick top edge that should’ve been taken, but Nissanka — running to his right from deep backward square leg, ends up spilling it, handing Buttler a lifeline. Dot off the next two, the second one a 149kmph bolt from Chameera. Buttler then gets an absolute gift in the last delivery, a juicy full toss down leg that is promptly dispatched over the backward square leg fence to help him bring up the milestone.

England set Sri Lanka 164 to win after being asked to bat.

21:15 (IST)

SIX! What a way for Jos Buttler to bring up his maiden T20I century, as England finish on 163/4 after being asked to bat by Sri Lanka! Juiciest of full tosses from Chameera, and Buttler promptly smacks it over the backward square leg fence, taking off his helmet in celebration right after.

21:10 (IST)

After 19 overs,England 149/4 ( Jos Buttler (W) 87 , Moeen Ali 1)

Hasaranga returns for his final over. Morgan greets him by skipping down the pitch and smashing him over long off for a maximum, though the wily leg-spinner hits back in the next delivery by getting rid of him for 40, breaking the marathon fourth-wicket stand in the process and bringing Moeen Ali to the crease. One more over to go after this.

21:08 (IST)

BOWLED! Trust Hasaranga to get the breakthrough as the England captain falls short of his half-century by 10 runs. What a partnership that turned out to be for England, one that certainly has put them in the driver's seat. Morgan misses while looking for a the slog sweep, resulting in the zing bails lighting up. ENG 148/4

Morgan b Hasaranga 40(36)

21:06 (IST)

After 18 overs,England 141/3 ( Jos Buttler (W) 86 , Eoin Morgan (C) 34)

The Sri Lankans simply have no answer to the Buttler destruction as the keeper-batter decides to launch an all-out attack in this over, smashing Shanaka for back-to-back sixes to bring up the century stand with Morgan before guiding the ball towards fine leg for a boundary to move to his highest T20I score. England nine short of the 150 mark with two overs left.

20:59 (IST)

After 17 overs,England 122/3 ( Jos Buttler (W) 69 , Eoin Morgan (C) 32)

Chameera returns. Morgan pulls a short ball at the start of the over, hitting the roof beyond the midwicket boundary for his second six as he moves to 30. Excellent stop by Avishka Fernando at wide long off after a full blooded inside out slog by Buttler in the third ball, saving a couple of runs for his side. Chance of a run out in the final delivery as Shanaka puts in a fine stop and nearly catches Buttler short at the striker’s end. 12 from the over. Partnership between the pair currently worth 87.

20:53 (IST)

After 16 overs,England 110/3 ( Jos Buttler (W) 66 , Eoin Morgan (C) 24)

Skipper Dasun Shanaka decides to have a bowl after that monster over from Kumara. Keeps it tidy, giving away five off it including a brace to Buttler off the third. Another four overs left. How many can Buttler, Morgan and the rest of the English batting order get from here?

20:50 (IST)

After 15 overs,England 105/3 ( Jos Buttler (W) 63 , Eoin Morgan (C) 22)

Lahiru Kumara’s smashed all over the park in this over as he ends up leaking 22 runs, which might have tilted the balance of the game in England’s favour. Morgan starts the over with a six over deep extra cover to bring up the fifty partnership with Buttler, who then collects two more maximums to get England past the 100-mark with another five overs left. The way the pair’s striking at the moment, they surely can think of a score in the 150-160 range.

20:47 (IST)

SIX! Morgan brings up the fifty stand with Buttler for the fourth wicket with a superbly-timed inside out slog over long off off Lahiru Kumara! ENG 89/3

20:46 (IST)

After 14 overs,England 83/3 ( Jos Buttler (W) 50 , Eoin Morgan (C) 15)

Hasaranga returns to the attack. Buttler brings up his fifty with a single off the third delivery, taking 45 balls to get to the milestone today, while Morgan collects his first boundary the next ball he gets down on one knee and paddles behind square. Eight off the over.

20:42 (IST)

Fifty up for Jos Buttler — his 16th in Twenty20 Internationals! The hard-hitting England keeper-batter, who has struck four boundaries and a six so far, brings up the milestone in 45 balls. ENG 78/3
 

20:38 (IST)

After 13 overs,England 75/3 ( Jos Buttler (W) 48 , Eoin Morgan (C) 9)

Karunaratne returns. Buttler meanwhile, keeps England’s hopes of a fighting total alive with a four and a six off consecutive balls to move into the 40s. His presence will worry the Lankans, given how he tore the Aussie attack apart in the previous game. Collects a brace and a single off the remaining deliveries, and is unbeaten on 48 by the time the over ends, with 14 runs coming off it.

20:38 (IST)

After 12 overs,England 61/3 ( Jos Buttler (W) 35 , Eoin Morgan (C) 8)

Theekshana returns for his final over, mixing his deliveries up well including bowling the odd carrom ball to keep the batters guessing. Just two singles from the over. The offie signs off with figures of 0/13 from four.

20:30 (IST)

After 11 overs,England 59/3 ( Jos Buttler (W) 34 , Eoin Morgan (C) 7)

Buttler, who’s fairly well set at the crease by now, brings up the fifty for England with a boundary first ball after the drinks interval, threading the gap through the extra cover region. Keeps the scoreboard ticking with a couple of doubles later in the over. Single off each of the last three balls. 12 from the over.

20:22 (IST)

Will 130 be par for this surface keeping dew in mind?

Tidy from Sri Lanka, but England have gone into their shells: seven runs from the last three overs. Presumably they think 130 may be enough.

— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) November 1, 2021