Captain Harry Brook, who finished the series with 170 runs and was named player of the series, praised the entire England squad.

MANCHESTER: England returned to the top of the T20 world rankings after completing a dominant 3-0 series whitewash against Sri Lanka with an eight-wicket victory at Old Trafford on Saturday.

England made another comfortable chase after bowling Sri Lanka out for just 124 runs in 18.5 overs.

Sonny Baker, Jofra Archer and Will Jacks took two wickets each as England’s bowlers kept Sri Lanka under pressure throughout the innings. Pathum Nissanka top-scored for Sri Lanka with 36, while Kamindu Mendis made 35.

England then needed only 9.4 overs to reach 126-2 and complete another convincing win.

Jos Buttler led the chase with an unbeaten 62 off 32 balls, while captain Harry Brook scored 33. The pair added 85 runs before Brook was dismissed.

The victory was England’s 15th consecutive T20 win against Sri Lanka. It also completed a series in which England won the opening match by 119 runs and the second game by six wickets.

England Return to No.1

The series sweep moved England back to the top of the T20 world rankings, replacing India.

England and India had exchanged the No.1 position several times during the past two months. England’s latest victory gives them a record of 23 wins in their last 26 T20 internationals, according to the match report.

Captain Harry Brook, who finished the series with 170 runs and was named player of the series, praised the entire England squad.

“Everyone stepped up in this series,” Brook said, adding that the team had adapted well to different conditions.

Baker Continues to Impress

Fast bowler Sonny Baker was again among England’s key performers.

Playing only his third T20 international, Baker finished with figures of 2-17 from 3.5 overs in the final match.

His performances during the series have added another option to England’s bowling attack. Brook also praised the young fast bowler for bowling during the powerplay while keeping the scoring under control.

Sri Lanka Face Questions

For Sri Lanka, the series was a major disappointment.

Captain Charith Asalanka admitted that his side struggled with both batting and bowling and said the series had shown where Sri Lanka currently stand against leading T20 teams.

Sri Lanka also struggled with discipline in the final match, bowling nine wides during England’s chase.

The visitors will now have an opportunity to respond when the teams meet in a three-match ODI series, beginning at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday.

The ODI series will provide Sri Lanka with another chance to test themselves against England after a difficult T20 campaign.