1st T20I, Cardiff, June 23, 2021, 11:00 PM
Sri Lanka
129/7(20.0ov)
England
130/2(17.1ov)
England beat Sri Lanka by 8 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Jos Buttler
Commentry
Right then! That's all from the first T20I between England and Sri Lanka! It was a game which was completely dominated by England and they would like to continue the same in the second game as well while the visitors would look to come back stronger. The second T20I is going to be played at the same ground and it will begin at 1830 local (1730 GMT). Do join us then. Cheers and take care.
Jos Buttler, the MAN OF THE MATCH, says that he enjoyed his innings and it was a good target to chase. Adds that their bowlers did a terrific job and the partnership with Roy was great. Tells that they assessed the wicket and it was a little tough. Says that it is about batting with partnerships and he was trying to get Roy on strike. States that the bowlers were fantastic.
Eoin Morgan, the England skipper, says that it has been a comprehensive performance and the bowlers created opportunities and they have made them look good. Adds that Jason Roy and Jos Buttler laid that platform and Jos showed what a class player he is. Tells that when you get ahead in the game, they try to assess the performance. States that Livingstone was their all-rounder in their team and he stepped up and was brilliant. Tells that he offers a lot to the team. Tells that it is great to have Woakes back in the team and he made use of the opportunity. Tells that there is a chance of playing a different team in the next game.
Kusal Perera, the Sri Lankan skipper, says that he is disappointed with the performance. Adds that they collapsed in the middle order and they will look to improve. Goes onto say that they have to mentally prepare and they have to look at their options. Tells that Hasaranga has been bowling brilliantly.
One might say that Sri Lanka had very few runs to defend and it certainly was. They were off to a poor start as they gave away 61 runs in the Powerplay and it was always going to be tough from there. Wanindu Hasaranga bowled a brilliant spell and they did pick up a couple of wickets but it was never going to be enough. Their fielding was also good and saved some runs but if they had gotten some more runs, things might have been different. Stay tuned for the Presentation ceremony!!!
Needing 130 to win, it was not going to be difficult but England would not have wanted to lose early wickets and they did not. Jason Roy and Jos Buttler gave a terrific start with the former going all guns blazing while Buttler was playing second fiddle. Once Roy fell, Jos Buttler attacked and took them close. Malan could not do much but Bairstow and Buttler stayed till the end.
An easy win for England here! They have absolutely hammered Sri Lanka and have chased down 130 with relative ease. A simply brilliant performance and it has been a perfect start to their limited-over series against Sri Lanka. The Island Nation will be disappointed and their campaign has started off in a poor fashion.
In over# 1
1
Dushmantha Chameera 24/1(3.1)
17.1
1
EDGED AND DROPPED! Good length ball outside off, Buttler looks to swing it away but gets an outside edge and goes to Kusal Perera who tries to catch it but fails to hold on. A single taken and ENGLAND HAVE WON BY 8 WICKETS.
In over# 1
6
0
1
1
0
4
Akila Dananjaya 40/0(4)
16.6
6
SIX! SCORES LEVEL! Tossed up on off, Bairstow goes on his knees and then slogs it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. Just one run required to win.
16.5
.
Flighted ball on middle, Bairstow defends it out.
16.4
1
Flatter ball outside off, Buttler punches it to deep cover for a single.
16.3
1
On middle, Jonny flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
16.2
.
Short ball on the pads, Bairstow looks to pull but misses and gets hit on the pads.
16.1
4
FOUR! That's well played! Loopy ball on off, Bairstow reverse sweeps it to the third man region for a boundary.
In over# 1
1
0
0
1
1
1
Isuru Udana 30/1(4)
15.6
1
Full and off. Jonny Bairstow looks to drive but gets inner half of the bat towards mid on to get off the mark with a single.
15.5
.
Another short ball, on off, quicker one. Jonny Bairstow sways away from it.
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