Eng vs SL: Wellalage and Theekshana Stun England as Middle-Order Collapses

England’s batting unit was grounded in Kandy as a strong Sri Lankan spin attack restricted the two-time champions to 146/9 in their T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 encounter. 

Despite a defiant half-century from opener Phil Salt, English middle order crumbled under the pressure of a turning Pallekele surface, leaving the hosts as firm favorites at the halfway mark.

Winning the toss and electing to bowl, Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka’s decision was vindicated early. England’s "four Bs", Buttler, Bethell, Banton, and Brook, all fell before the tenth over, leaving the innings in a state of paralysis. Jos Buttler’s miserable run of form continued as he was trapped LBW for 7 by the phenomenal Dunith Wellalage.

Phil Salt was the solitary figure of resistance, smashing 62 off 40 balls, including six boundaries and two sixes. He eventually fell in the 15th over, caught at long-off by Dushan Hemantha off Wellalage, a blow that effectively ended England’s hopes of a 170-plus total.

Sri Lanka’s spinners operated with surgical precision. Dunith Wellalage led the charge with figures of 3/26. He was ably supported by Maheesh Theekshana, who claimed 2/21 and removed the dangerous Jacob Bethell and Liam Dawson at critical junctures.

A late cameo from Will Jacks, who struck 21 off 14 balls, provided a flicker of hope, but his dismissal to Dilshan Madushanka in the penultimate over triggered a final-over collapse. Madushanka finished with 2/25, including the scalp of Jofra Archer for a golden duck. 

England managed to scavenge 11 runs off the final over, including a maximum from Jamie Overton, to drag themselves to 146.