Another masterclass from Jos Buttler has helped England to a 26-run victory over Sri Lanka at the T20 World Cup.
If Buttler was classed as being at his brutal best against Australia on Saturday, the opener somehow exceeded those efforts with a masterful 101.
After three run chases, England were asked to bat first by their opponents, and several of the top order failed to make much of a contribution.
Jason Roy (9), Dawid Malan (6) and Jonny Bairstow (0) put the onus on Buttler and Eoin Morgan to build from 35-3, but the pair stepped up to the task in majestic style.
While Morgan ended a barren spell with a timely 40 off 36 balls, Buttler cut loose, hitting six four and six maximums on the way to his first hundred at this level.
Chasing 164, Sri Lanka looked well off the pace at 76-5 off 10.5 overs, Adil Rashid collecting two important wickets during that period.
However, Dasun Shanaka (26) and Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva (34) put on 53 for the sixth wicket before Roy and substitute Sam Billings combined on the boundary to remove the latter off the bowling of Liam Livingstone.
Three balls later, Buttler effectively wrapped up the contest for England with the sharp run out of Shanaka, leaving Chris Jordan and Moeen Ali to mop up the tail to remove Sri Lanka for 137 in 19 overs.
A fourth win in succession and superior run-rate has effectively secured England's place in the last four ahead of Saturday's final group game with South Africa.
Darren Plant
