GROS ISLET, St Lucia — A clinical and commanding bowling display from England secured a vital 51-run victory over co-hosts Sri Lanka at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, reigniting their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign and taking a significant step towards the Super Eight stage.
After posting a competitive 165 for 6 on a tricky surface, Jos Buttler’s side produced a near-perfect bowling performance, dismantling Sri Lanka for 114 in 16.4 overs. The win places England firmly in control of Group 2, with their fate now in their own hands heading into the final group matches.
A Foundation Built on Grit
England’s innings was a tale of two halves, underpinned by a crucial 67-run partnership between Harry Brook (47 off 37) and Liam Livingstone (28 off 22). After a flying start from Buttler and Phil Salt, the innings stuttered as Sri Lanka’s spinners, led by the excellent Maheesh Theekshana (2 for 25), applied the brakes. At 89 for 4 in the 12th over, England were in danger of squandering a strong platform.
Brook, however, played a mature and intelligent knock, anchoring the middle overs. He found a willing partner in Livingstone, who provided the necessary late impetus. Their stand, which included calculated aggression against the seamers, propelled England to a total that always looked above par on a slow, dry pitch offering variable bounce.
Reflecting on the partnership, Brook noted the challenging conditions: "It was a tricky wicket. It was a bit two-paced, and the spin was sticking in it. We felt 160 was a good score, and we ended up getting 165, so we were happy."
The Bowling Masterclass
If England’s batting was workmanlike, their bowling was inspired. The tone was set immediately by the returning Chris Jordan, whose first over was a wicket maiden that removed the dangerous Pathum Nissanka. From that moment, Sri Lanka never found any rhythm. The early introduction of spin, through Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, strangled the scoring rate and built relentless pressure.
The key moments in the bowling assault were:
- Early Strikes: Jordan and Jofra Archer (1 for 17) with the new ball ensured Sri Lanka could not replicate England’s powerplay momentum.
- Spin Strangle: Adil Rashid (1 for 16) and Moeen Ali (1 for 15) bowled eight overs combined for just 31 runs, taking two crucial wickets.
- Middle-Over Carnage: Liam Livingstone’s part-time leg-spin proved devastating, claiming the vital wickets of Charith Asalanka and Angelo Mathews in a single over.
Sri Lanka’s innings completely unravelled in the face of this disciplined attack. They lost wickets in clusters, with no batter able to build a substantial innings. Captain Wanindu Hasaranga’s valiant 27 off 19 balls was a lone hand, but by the time he found the boundary, the required rate had soared beyond reach.
Livingstone’s Golden Arm
The pivotal passage of the match came from an unexpected source. With Sri Lanka already reeling at 54 for 5, Jos Buttler turned to Liam Livingstone’s leg-spin. The all-rounder delivered a match-winning double-wicket maiden in the 12th over, trapping Charith Asalanka lbw and then having the experienced Angelo Mathews caught at long-on first ball. "To get a double-wicket maiden in a World Cup game is pretty special," a delighted Livingstone said after the match.
His intervention broke the back of Sri Lanka’s lower-order resistance. From there, it was a procession, expertly mopped up by Mark Wood’s raw pace and the ever-reliable Jordan, who fittingly sealed the win by clean-bowling Matheesha Pathirana.
A Statement of Intent
This victory was more than just two points; it was a statement of intent from the defending champions. After a nervy, rain-affected win over Namibia and a washout against Scotland, England needed a complete performance to assert their authority. The bowling unit, in particular, answered every question asked of them. The variety in the attack—express pace from Wood and Archer, crafty spin from Rashid and Moeen, and the golden arm of Livingstone—proved far too much for a fragile Sri Lankan batting line-up.
Captain Jos Buttler was full of praise for his team’s character: "I thought we were outstanding today. From the start, the intensity and commitment were exactly what we needed. The bowlers were fantastic, they assessed the conditions perfectly and executed their plans. It’s a great win for us and puts us in a strong position."
The Road to the Super Eights
For Sri Lanka, the defeat leaves their tournament hanging by a thread. As co-hosts, their early exit would be a significant disappointment. Their batting frailties, a concern throughout the tournament, were laid bare by a ruthless England attack. They must now win their final match and rely on other results going their way, a scenario that looks increasingly unlikely.
England, meanwhile, have surged to the top of Group 2. Their net run rate received a massive boost from this comprehensive victory. A win in their final group match will guarantee their progression to the Super Eight stage as group winners, a crucial advantage in determining their next-round fixtures. The defending champions, written off by some after a slow start, have roared back into contention with a performance that reminded everyone of their champion pedigree.
The emphatic nature of this win sends a clear message to other contenders. When their bowling attack fires in unison, as it did under the St Lucian lights, England possess a weaponry capable of dismantling any batting order. Their title defence, momentarily in doubt, is now very much alive and kicking.