Pallekele, Feb 22 – Jofra Archer and Will Jacks dominated Sri Lanka's top order after Phil Salt's 40-ball 62, leading England to a sensational 51-run victory in a thrilling Super Eights match of the T20 World Cup on Sunday.
After left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage (3/26) bowled a disciplined spell, limiting a shaky England to 146 for nine, Sri Lanka seemed in control.
However, Jofra and off-spinner Jacks turned the game around in the second half, dominating the powerplay and leaving Sri Lanka at 34 for five after six overs. Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 95 in 16.4 overs.
Jacks took three wickets in four overs, conceding 22 runs, while Archer took two wickets in three overs, supported by Liam Dawson (2/27 in 4 overs) and Adil Rashid (2/13 in 3.4 overs), who wrapped up the lower order.
Salt's innings proved crucial, despite his teammates' poor performance.
For Sri Lanka, Dasun Shanaka was the top scorer with 30 off 24 balls.
England's start was poor, while Sri Lanka's was worse, as Jofra dismissed Pathum Nissanka (9 off 8 balls) cheaply, caught by Jamie Overton, who was positioned at deep mid-wicket. Nissanka fell to a fast, full delivery.
Continuing Wellalage's role from the first half, Jacks removed Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake in consecutive balls.
Archer dismissed Kamil Mishara, caught by Overton at gully, and Jacks got Wellalage caught by skipper Harry Brook at mid-on.
Liam Dawson dismissed Kamindu Mendis, leaving the crowd in Pallekele stunned.
Earlier, after struggling in the group stage, England's batters had a contrasting start, unlike captain Brook's assertion of aggressive cricket in the Super Eights.
Not only did Sri Lanka stifle the English top order, but they also took two wickets, leaving the visitors at a poor 37 for two after the first six overs, on a pitch that favored bowlers but not as much as the batters made it look.
Given Jos Buttler's poor form and struggles against spinners, it was not surprising to see Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka use Wellalage in the powerplay.
Wellalage took wickets of Buttler and Brook (14 off 7 balls) in his first three overs, leaving England at 68 for four after 10 overs.
Wellalage bowled a slow ball that missed Brook's bat and hit his pads.
Buttler (7 off 14 balls) was the first casualty, after he attempted a reverse sweep, ending a scratchy innings that might force England to consider giving Ben Duckett a chance in the next game, considering Duckett's excellent record against spinners.
Maheesh Theekshana (2/21 in 4 overs) dismissed Jacob Bethell, who got a leading edge to Dilshan Madushanka (2/25 in 4 overs), who also bowled tightly with the new ball, conceding just 16 runs in three overs.
Tom Banton was out after attempting a suicidal single, while Sam Curran was caught by Dushmantha Chameera.
Salt, who survived the powerplay for the first time in the tournament, played some fine shots, including a six over extra cover off Wellalage and a maximum over fine leg against Chameera, reaching his half-century in 36 balls.
However, Wellalage got Salt out when the tiring opener failed to send a short ball over long-off, and England's innings deteriorated further after that.
