Eng vs SL: Will Jacks and Phil Salt Propel England to Top of Super 8 Standings

England roared into the Super 8 stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup with an emphatic statement of intent, dismantling co-hosts Sri Lanka by 51 runs at a stunned Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, February 22. Defending what appeared to be a modest total of 146-9, England’s bowlers, led by the inspired Will Jacks, produced a masterclass in situational awareness to skittle the Islanders for just 95 in 16.4 overs.

The afternoon began with Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka winning the toss and opting to field on a surface that offered significant grip for the spinners. England’s vaunted top order struggled to find their timing; Jos Buttler fell for 7, and the middle order of Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell were pinned back by the clinical Dunith Wellalage, who finished with superb figures of 3-26. 

Amidst the carnage, opener Phil Salt played a lone hand of immense maturity. His 62 off 40 balls, featuring six boundaries and two towering sixes, was the glue that held the English innings together, guiding them toward a fighting total before he holed out in the 15th over.

When Sri Lanka began their chase of 147, the Pallekele crowd anticipated a measured pursuit, but England’s new-ball strategy turned the match on its head. In a tactical masterstroke, Brook handed the new ball to Will Jacks. 

The spin-bowling all-rounder responded by taking three wickets in his four-over opening spell, including Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake in consecutive deliveries. With Jofra Archer (2-20) also striking early to remove the dangerous Pathum Nissanka, Sri Lanka were left reeling at 34-5 by the end of the Powerplay.

There was no respite for the hosts as the middle overs were expertly squeezed by the veteran spin duo of Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson. Rashid’s googly eventually ended the match, bowling Dilshan Madushanka to secure England’s 12th consecutive T20I victory over Sri Lanka. Only Shanaka (30) offered any meaningful resistance, but even he fell to a sensational relay catch between Jacks and Tom Banton on the boundary rope, a moment that encapsulated England’s high-octane fielding.

Will Jacks was predictably named Player of the Match for his game-changing 3-22 and a vital 21-run cameo. With this win, England jumped to the top of Super 8 Group 2, while Sri Lanka faced a daunting uphill climb to reach the semi-finals.