Jos Buttler finished the job in style at Old Trafford, striking an unbeaten 62 to complete England’s 3-0 T20I series sweep of Sri Lanka on 19 September.
The innings
Chasing a modest target of 125 after Sri Lanka were bowled out for 124, England needed just 9.4 overs to get there. Buttler needed only 32 balls for his 62, hitting seven fours and two sixes, and sealed the chase with a stunning one-handed six over deep midwicket. Harry Brook chipped in with 33 off 21 before being run out just short of victory, but it was Buttler’s calm finishing that closed things out with 62 balls unused.
A milestone-filled week
The innings capped a landmark few days for Buttler, who reached 15,000 career T20 runs during the second match of the series – a milestone that underlines just how long he has been a fixture of white-ball cricket at the highest level. Across the three-match series, Buttler and Brook were the two standout batters, with their 128-run stand in the series opener setting the tone for what became a one-sided contest.
Bigger picture
The win completed a 3-0 whitewash, England’s 16th consecutive T20I victory over Sri Lanka, and returned England to the top of the ICC T20I rankings. Sonny Baker was named Player of the Match in the decider after taking 2 for 17, while Jofra Archer also picked up two wickets in the innings defence. Brook was named Player of the Series overall, but Buttler’s finishing touch in the final match was the moment that actually sealed the result.
At 35, Buttler continues to show little sign of slowing down, and his ability to finish games with minimal fuss remains one of England’s most valuable assets in white-ball cricket.
For England, the series offers further evidence of a batting unit peaking at the right time, with the next assignment – three ODIs against Sri Lanka starting 22 September – already on the horizon.