England require 125 runs to complete a 3-0 series sweep against Sri Lanka after bowling out the visitors in the third T20I at Old Trafford.
Captain Harry Brook won the toss and elected to bowl first in Manchester. Sri Lanka finished their 20 overs with 124 runs, a total below the ground’s historical average first-innings score of 165 to 199.
Sonny Baker took the early wicket of Lahiru Udara for 10. England’s bowling effort also included the run-out of Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka, involving Will Jacks. The effort follows a performance in Cardiff where Jacks took three wickets.
England lead the three-match series 2-0 following victories in the opening fixtures. During the second T20I, Jos Buttler reached 15,000 career T20 runs, becoming the first player to achieve the milestone.
Brook explained his decision to bowl first at the toss. “We’re going to have a bowl tonight. We fancy a chase. It looks like a good surface, and hopefully we can restrict them to a low score,” Brook said.
The chase is currently underway at Old Trafford as England attempts to finalize the T20I leg of the tour. Following the conclusion of this series, the two teams are scheduled to begin a three-match ODI series on September 22 in Durham.
