England vs Sri Lanka LIVE: T20 World Cup result and reaction
Follow live reaction after England made it four wins from four at the World Cup
Follow live reaction from England vs Sri Lanka at the T20 World Cup.
England maintained their 100 per cent record in the tournament, having seen off the West Indies, Bangladesh and Australia in a dominant start, with a superb 26-run win in Sharjah.
Opener Jos Buttler was the star of the show last time out against Australia and went one better this time around with an unbeaten 101, a first international T20 century.
Assisted by 40 from skipper Eoin Morgan, England posted 163 from their 20 before two wickets from Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Chris Jordan eventually saw Sri Lanka fall 26 runs short despite a dogged chase.
The win leaves England all but into the semi-finals ahead of their final Super 12 match, against South Africa on Saturday.
Sri Lanka 28-2: Sri Lanka chasing 164 to win
Right then, Morgan answers that strong over with his trump card. Adil Rashid is on for his first twirl of the innings.
Expect plenty of googlies here with Rashid looking to beat both edges of the bat.
And right on cue. One that goes the other way off the pitch does for Asalanka as he skies one for Moeen to pouch in the infield.
As he so often does for this England side, Rashid gets the breakthrough. Asalanka goes for a brisk 21. Sri Lanka two down.
Sri Lanka 24-1: Sri Lanka chasing 164 to win
Moeen now back on to try and keep the chase in hand from England’s point of view.
Asalanka has the gas pedal pressed though and middles a gorgeous sweep to the boundary for four.
And then another. It’s fractionally off line from Moeen but that is an excellent shot again giving Morgan no chance at square leg.
Just the start they wanted here.
England vs Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka chasing 164 to win
It’s Chris Woakes - hero against Australia - who will start from the other end.
Sri Lanka need to get into this chase and Charith Asalanka knows it. He smokes one over long on for the first six of this reply.
The next one goes to the fence too as an ugly inside edge flies for four past square leg.
They all count though of course. 14/1 after two.
England vs Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka chasing 164 to win
Right then, the Sri Lankan riposte.
Moeen is first up for England with the new ball as Eoin Morgan looks to emulate what he’s already seen have success on this pitch and take pace off.
That’s not what Sri Lanka wanted though.
Morgan fires a throw in and Pathum Nissanka is gone run out at the batter’s end.
England vs Sri Lanka: England 163/4
Here’s Buttler’s wagon wheel.
Runs everywhere, basically.
His six sixes is the equal most by an England player at a T20 World Cup.
England vs Sri Lanka: England 163/4
An amazing acceleration from Buttler and England there after struggling to get going early on.
He took just 24 runs off his first 30 balls only to then smash 77 off the last 37.
At his best there are fewer better and he has - again - put England in a strong position ahead of the Sri Lankan reply.
England vs Sri Lanka: England bat 163/4
England have done well to get back into this, especially with the fantastic performance from Jos Buttler!
There’s a break now before Sri Lanka step up to bat. It’ll be back underway in just a few moments.
England vs Sri Lanka: England finish batting 163/4 with Buttler century
Chameera came in for the last over and Buttler immediately hit a four to try and give England their best shot in this one.
A two, two and a six gives Buttler his first international T20 hundred! Wow, what a player!
The first ten overs were underwhelming from England but they have come back well in the second ten to attempt to continue their unbeaten run.
It’s all down to Sri Lanka now to beat England’s tally.
England vs Sri Lanka: 149/4 Morgan out
Hasaranga was drafted back in but even the star bowler couldn’t stop England’s charge as Morgan hit another six.
But Hasaranga got his revenge as Morgan goes 40 from 36.
The rest of the 19th over was played between Buttler and Moeen Ali.
Despite losing their captain, England have got right back in this match with one over left.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies