10.44pm: Presentations time in Pallekele. Sam Curran is named Player of the Match and Player of the Series: "It was different, third time on the same wicket. We felt 130-135 would be a decent score. We have some amazing spinners, it was a really fun game. [Hat-trick after tough start in game one] Always nice, very up and down. Most importantly a fantastic series win. [Batting No.6] Great to be in the side and try to contribute. The confidence is good. We came on some different surfaces, so we've been challenged and should be proud of 3-0."
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka: "Very disappointed. I think we could have taken it deeper. We could have done that better. [Improvements in series] Lot of positives, today Chameera and Theekshana bowled well. Going forward we need to address a lot of areas, we need to make it right going into the World Cup. We can take the positives. We lost 3-0, as captain I need to address the areas really well to play a good World Cup. We are looking forward to it, we desperately want to deliver something special. [Issues] We talked about playing spin, accessing both sides of the wicket, that's the [main] area of concern. The bowling unit, Chameera delivering, Pathirana and Theekshana, the bowling attack looks good. Pavan Rathnayake showed some talent [with the bat] this series, so that is good for us. I would like to wish England all the best for the World Cup."
England captain Harry Brook: "That was awesome, great win to be part of, the way the boys kept fighting to the end. We've shown we can adapt to surfaces, tonight was a tricky one to bat on. Sam got us to a decent total and then the way the spinners bowled, 16 overs against SL in their own conditions was an awesome effort. The World Cup is here, so when we have the opportunity to play here we have the experiences to carry over. Been an awesome tour, hopefully come back here a few more times."
And that is that for England's tour of Sri Lanka. Andrew Miller's report will tell the tale of a remarkable England defence, and then it's on to the T20 World Cup, which starts in a few days' time. We'll be back for all that. For now, from myself, Matt and Sudeep, it's goodnight and good luck. Cheerio!
10.30pm: Uff, Sri Lanka. How did you lose that? It looked to have decisively tipped their way when Dunith Wellalage hit the first ball of the 18th over for four, leaving them needing 17 off 17. But he went in unfortunate fashion, the first of three wickets in an over, as Jacob Bethell became England's unlikely hero with the ball. Will Jacks also picked up three-for, the spinners sharing 9 for 75 from 15.3 overs. England pull off their lowest successful defence in T20Is. All perfect conditioning for a World Cup in this part of the world... though SL won't go into the tournament in the mood to party after that
M Theekshana c Dawson b Bethell 2 (10m 6b 0x4 0x6) SR: 33.33
13 off four
"Can this pitch be entered into the turner prize?" Very good, Robert
END OF OVER:19 | 2 Runs | SL: 115/9 (14 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 6.05, RRR: 14.00)
- Maheesh Theekshana2 (5b)
- Matheesha Pathirana1 (2b)
- Liam Dawson4-0-25-1
- Jacob Bethell3-0-10-3
Tight over from Dawson, leaving Bethell to defend 14
Umair: "Shambolic series this from Sri Lanka. Just withdraw from the World Cup at this point. So so embarrassing."
Matheesha Pathirana is last man. Liam Dawson to bowl, 16 needed
END OF OVER:18 | 5 Runs 3 Wkts | SL: 113/9 (16 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 6.27, RRR: 8.00)
- Maheesh Theekshana1 (1b)
- Jacob Bethell3-0-10-3
- Adil Rashid4-0-25-1
"Well, Sri Lanka's lower-middle order leaves a lot to be desired," muses Odinlass
MD Shanaka st †Buttler b Bethell 4 (15m 6b 0x4 0x6) SR: 66.66
Brings the captain on strike
Maheesh Theekshana is in at No.10
PVD Chameera c Brook b Bethell 0 (1m 2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0
Dushmantha Chameera walks in, 17 needed from 16
DN Wellalage c †Buttler b Bethell 9 (18m 14b 0x4 0x6) SR: 64.28
Rate just over a run a ball. Bethell for a third over
END OF OVER:17 | 5 Runs | SL: 108/6 (21 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 6.35, RRR: 7.00)
- Dasun Shanaka4 (5b)
- Dunith Wellalage9 (12b)
- Adil Rashid4-0-25-1
- Will Jacks4-0-14-3
That's Rashid done. Can SL keep it together?
