श्रीलंका vs इंग्लैंड, तीसरा टी-20, पल्लेकेले इंटरनेशनल क्रिकेट स्टेडियम, कैंडी, 03 February 2026 - कमेंट्री

Jacob Bethell bowls it very full, sliding into the middle stump line. Matheesha Pathirana looks to slog it across the line but misses and wears it in front. Appeal from the bowler and up goes the finger. Sri Lanka takes the review. The replays show a clear spike on the inside edge and the decision is changed to NOT OUT.

Tossed up full, on the middle and leg. Matheesha Pathirana nudges it toward short mid-wicket for one. 13 off 4 balls now.

OUT! ALL OVER FOR SRI LANKA! Jacob Bethell finishes with four wickets. Tossed up full, around off. Maheesh Theekshana looks to slog it across the line, but gets the top edge that flies to short third where Dawson takes the catch. England have defended 128 as Sri Lanka are dismissed for just 116. England win by 12 runs and take the series 3-0.  

Flatter arm ball, on the middle and leg stump line. Maheesh Theekshana chips it toward the short mid-wicket region and takes a single.

DAWSON NEARLY TAKES A STUNNER! Flighted full, on the middle and leg stump line. Matheesha Pathirana looks to nudge across the line, gets a soft leading edge to the right of the bowler, who makes a good effort but fails to grab the chance.

IN THE AIR AND FALLS SAFELY! Fuller and quicker, on the leg pole. Matheesha Pathirana tries to work across the line, gets the leading edge toward backward point, and falls in front of the diving fielder. Single taken.

Flatter, angling in and turns away to go past the outside edge of Maheesh Theekshana.

Tad short, spinning away, just outside off. Maheesh Theekshana looks to hack it across the line but fails to connect. The pressure is paramount.

Pushed through fuller, on the leg stump line. Maheesh Theekshana looks to flick it across the line, but misses and wears on the pad. 14 needed off the last 6 balls.

FOUR BYES! Lucky! Tossed up very full, around off. Dunith Wellalage goes hard for the drive but squeezes the bat into the pitch. Buttler fails to collect it, and it ricochets off the keeper's pad and runs down to deep third for four byes.

OUT! SHARP CATCH SENDS WELLALAGE PACKING! Tossed up on a length, turning into off. Dunith Wellalage sits low, looking to slog sweep, but gets the inside edge onto his pad, and it further lobs up into the leg side. Jos Buttler moves quickly, dives forward, and hangs onto a brilliant catch. Sri Lanka slide further. 

Tossed up on a length, just outside off. Dushmantha Chameera defends into the off-side.

OUT! SOFT DISMISSAL FOR CHAMEERA! Flighted on a fullish length, just outside off. Chameera comes forward and chips it straight to Harry Brook at the short cover region, who makes no mistake. Two wickets in the over for Bethell. Chameera departs for a silver duck. Eight down now.

Flatter, sliding into off. Maheesh Theekshana works it through the gap at mid-wicket for one.

OUT! STUMPED! Three wickets for Jacob Bethell in the over, and he is cock-a-hoop! Tosses it on a length, sliding in, and gets it to spin away after pitching. Dasun Shanaka shimmies down to work it across the line, but gets beaten by the turn and bounce. Had no chance to get back and Jos Buttler is quick to take off the bails in a flash. Sri Lanka are nine down with 16 needed off 12 balls.

Floated full, on off. Dunith Wellalage guides it toward short third for none.

Looped up on the middle. Nudged toward square leg for one.

Flighted full, on the middle and leg. Shanaka looks to sweep but misses onto the pad.

Looped up on off. Dasun Shanaka sits low and slogs it through the backward square leg region for one.

Tossed up on the middle and leg. Dunith Wellalage nudges it toward square leg for one.

Tad short, googly, on the middle and leg. Dasun Shanaka sits low and slog-sweeps it toward the fine leg region for a couple more to end the over. 

LIYANAGE HOLES OUT! Will Jacks is on fire. Tossed up on a length, on off. Janith Liyanage sits low and nails the slog sweep, but hits it flat and straight to the man at deep mid-wicket, Jacob Bethell, who makes no mistake under pressure. Big wicket for Sri Lanka as the well-set batter departs. Sri Lanka lose their sixth.

Flighted full, turning into off. Dasun Shanaka gets forward and defends it down the pitch.

Tossed up full, outside off. Dasun Shanaka slogs it hard, comes off the cue end toward deep mid-wicket for one.

Tossed up full, on middle. Dunith Wellalage uses his feet and drives it toward the gap at deep extra cover for a couple. 100 comes up for the home side.

Short and wide outside off. Dunith Wellalage waits for it and cuts it hard toward the deep backward point region for two more.

Flatter, around off. Dunith Wellalage chops it off the toe end toward short third for a single. Sri Lanka are 103/6 after 16 overs. 26 needed off 24 balls.

Flatter on the thigh pad. Dunith Wellalage tucks it toward short fine leg for one.

Tad short, around off. Janith Liyanage cuts and picks out the backward point fielder.

Flatter and wider outside off. Janith Liyanage cuts it off the toe end but gets into the gap at the deep extra cover region for a brace.

Pushed through fuller, at the stumps. Janith Liyanage reverses it through the point region for one.

Flighted full, on off. Dunith Wellalage nudges it toward square leg, a bit of mix up between the batters but they manage to complete the single.

Tossed up on a length, on the middle and leg stump line. Janith Liyanage uses his feet and clips it through the gap at mid-wicket for a single.

OUT! LBW! Appeal from the bowler and up goes the finger. Flatter arm ball from Jacks, sliding into the middle and leg stump line. Kamindu Mendis hangs back, looking to work across the line, but he misses and gets pinned in front. The on-field decision is OUT. Kamindu was walking initially but decides the take the review. Three Reds on Ball Tracking, and Kamindu Mendis is a goner. Sri Lanka have lost half of their side now. 

Tossed up full, on the middle and off. Wellalage presses forward in defence.

Looped up on the leg. Dunith Wellalage pushes it to the left of the bowler.

Flighted full, sliding into the leg pole. Dunith Wellalage prods to work it across the line, but misses and gets pinned in front. Half an appeal from Jacks is turned down by the umpire.

Looped up on the middle. Dunith Wellalage pushes it into the gap at point for one.

Tossed up full, on off. Janith Liyanage reverses it straight to the backward point fielder.

Tad short, spins back into off. Kamindu Mendis hangs back and pulls it hard to deep mid-wicket for one.

Tossed up on a length, on the middle and leg stump line. Janith Liyanage shimmies down and blocks it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Over the top! Flighted full, at the stumps. Janith Liyanage dances down and smashes it over the bowler's head, down the ground for a thumping hit.

Tossed up full, on the middle and leg stump line. Janith Liyanage sweeps it toward fine leg for one.

SIX! BANG! Flighted full, on off. Kamindu Mendis shimmies down, gets to the pitch of the ball, and smokes it over the bowler, clears the straightish long on boundary for half a dozen.

Tossed up on off. Kamindu Mendis flicks it through the gap at mid-wicket for one.

Flatter off-break, turning back into the batter. Janith Liyanage shuffles a tad and drops it into the short leg region.

Pushed through fuller, on the middle and leg. Janith Liyanage sweeps this hard toward deep backward square leg for one.

Tad short, angled into the middle and leg. Kamindu Mendis flicks it uppishly toward the gap at deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Flatter arm ball, on the middle and leg. Kamindu Mendis knocks it down to long on for one.

Flatter, turning into off. Janith Liyanage covers the line and turns it to short mid-wicket.

Much fuller and quicker, around off. Janith Liyanage reverse sweep but finds the man at short third. After 12 overs, Sri Lanka are 77/4. They need another 52 off 48 balls.

Flatter leg break, sliding into off. Kamindu Mendis looks to work across the line but misses and wears on the pad.

Tossed up full, on off. Kamindu Mendis nails the sweep to deep backward square leg for one.

FOUR! Nicely done! Flatter wrong'un, on the middle and leg. Janith Liyanage sits low, gets on top of the bounce and sweeps it perfectly toward long leg, beats the fielder and finds the ropes.

Tossed up full on off. Janith Liyanage sweeps this to deep mid-wicket for one.

Floated on the leg. Kamindu Mendis sweeps this to deep square leg for one.

Flatter leg break, just outside off. Janith Liyanage covers the line and nudges it toward deep square leg for one.

OUT! TAKEN! Will Jacks comes into the attack and strikes straightaway. That's a soft dismissal. Flatter, down the leg side, Kusal Mendis gets low and looks to sweep it but gets a top edge. The ball lobs towards Adil Rashid t short third who makes no mistake.

Short, on off, Janith Liyanage fends it to the right of the keeper.

Flatter, on leg, Janith Liyanage sweeps it to the fielder at short third.

Wide! Sways it down the leg side, Janith Liyanage looks to sweep it but misses.

Short, on middle, Janith Liyanage tucks it to square leg for a single.

Short and wide, Kamil Mishara looks to play at it but misses.

Short, on off, Kamindu Mendis punches it to cover for a single.

Short, on middle, Pavan Rathnayake tucks it to mid-wicket for a run.

Nice and full, on off, Kusal Mendis pushes it to mid off for one more.

Flatter, outside off, Pavan Rathnayake pushes it to cover for a single.

FOUR! Brilliant from Kusal Mendis! Short, on middle and leg, Kusal Mendis goes deep in his crease and pulls it powerfully through square leg for a boundary.

Short, on off, Kusal Mendis punches it to mid off for a single.

OUT! TIMBER! Adil Rashid strikes. A much-needed wicket. Tossed up, on off, and it turns in sharply. Pavan Rathnayake stays back and looks to block it but the ball goes through his bat and his pad and rattles over the stumps. Pavan Rathnayake walks back into the shed.

Short, on off, Kusal Mendis punches it to cover for a single.

Too full, outside off, Pavan Rathnayake Pushes it to cover fielder.

Flatter, on leg, Pavan Rathnayake turns it to mid-wicket for a single.

Quicker, on leg, Kusal Mendis tucks it to square leg for a run.

Fired in, on leg, Pavan Rathnayake tucks it to square leg for a single.

Short, on off, Kusal Mendis blocks it to cover.

Too full, on off, Pavan Rathnayake digs it to wide of mid off for a single.

Turn and bounce, outside off, Kusal Mendis leaves it alone. That's turned massive.

Beaten! Quicker, outsie off, Kusal Mendis tries to drive it but misses.

Short, on off, Kusal Mendis punches it to cover for a quick single.

Too full, on off, Pavan Rathnayake sweeps it through wide long on for a single.

Tossed up, outside off, Kusal Mendis eases it to the fielder at short third.

On a length, on off, Pavan Rathnayake pushes it to cover.

FOUR! Just over short third! Short ball, outside off, slower too. Pavan Rathnayake tries to slap it but gets a top edge. The ball goes over a leaping fielder at short third for a boundary.

Much fuller, on off, Pavan Rathnayake pushes it to the cover fielder.

Keeps it full, outside off, Pavan Rathnayake taps it to point for a single.

Hard length, on off, Kusal Mendis blocks it to the cover fielder.

FOUR! Through the gap! That is good timing. Length, outside off, Kusal Mendis stays back and punches it in the gap through backward point for a boundary.

SIX! All the way! That's a great shot. Full, on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka gets low and sweeps it magnificently over deep backward square leg for a biggie.

OUT! TAKEN! Liam Dawson has the last laugh. Flatter, on middle, and it turns a bit. Pathum Nissanka looks to flick it but gets a leading edge. The ball lobs in the air towards cover. Will Jacks settles under t and completes the catch. Pathum Nissanka walks back into the shed.

Fuller, on leg, Pavan Rathnayake flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Flatter, on leg, Kusal Mendis turns it to mid-wicket for one more.

Quicker, on off, Pavan Rathnayake eases it to the cover fielder.

Fuller, outside off, Pavan Rathnayake pushes it to cover for a quick single.

Length, on middle, Kusal Mendis tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! That goes all the way! Short, on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka stays in his creae and pulls it powerfully over wide long on for a biggie.

Hard length, on off, Pathum Nissanka eases it to cover for a single.

FOUR! Through the gap! On a length, outside off, Kusal Mendis reaches out to it and cuts it through backward point for a boundary.

On a length, on off, Kusal Mendis eases it to cover for a single.

Nice and full, on leg, Pathum Nissanka flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Much fuller, on off, Pathum Nissanka pushes it to cover for a single.

Oh! Length, outside off, Kusal Mendis has a fiddle but misses.

Nice and full, outside off, Kusal Mendis pushes it to the cover fielder.

Hard length, on off, Kusal Mendis blocks it to the cover fielder.

On a length, outside off, Kusal Mendis cuts it to cover for a single.

SIX! Brilliant effort though! Pathum Nissanka gets away with it. On a length, on off, Pathum Nissanka pulls it over square leg. Jacob Bethell leaps near the fence, takes the catch and throws the ball in the air as he loses his momentum. Tries to come back in and take the catch but ends up flicking it over the fence.

Quicker, on off, Pathum Nissanka blocks it back to the bowler.

Short, on off, Pathum Nissanka punches it to cover.

Tossed up, on off, Pathum Nissanka tries to sweep it but gets a bottom edge as the ball rolls towards the fielder at square leg.

Flatter, outside off, Pathum Nissanka guides it to short third. The fielder dives to his left and makes a brilliant stop. Keeps it to a single.

Short, on off, Kusal Mendis punches it to cover.

Too full, on middle, Kusal Mendis leans on and blocks it back to the bowler.

On a length, outside off, Pathum Nissanka tries to slap it but gets a bottom edge. The ball rolls towards cover as the batters cross.

Beauty! Length, just outside off, shaping away. Kamil Mishara has a fiddle but misses.

OUT! TAKEN! Not the start Sri Lanka would have hoped for. Short, on off, Kamil Mishara was caught by surprise as he looked to pull it. Gets a top edge as the ball lobs towards mid on. Ben Duckett moves to his right and takes a fine catch. Kamil Mishara departs for a duck.

Much fuller, on off, Kusal Mendis blocks it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Kusal Mendis gets off the mark with a boundary! Nice and full, on leg, Kusal Mendis tickles it through fine leg for a boundary.

On a length, on off, Kusal Mendis blocks it to cover.