PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sam Curran became the second English player to grab a T20 hat trick as England edged out Sri Lanka by 11 runs in a rain-affected match on Friday.
Rain curtailed Sri Lanka’s innings to just 17 overs, leading them to a total of 133 all out with four balls remaining. England was on track for the win when rain interrupted their innings after 15 overs, leading to a DLS method victory at 125-4.
Curran initially struggled, conceding 35 runs in his first two overs. However, he bounced back dramatically, taking three wickets in three balls in his final over, finishing with figures of 3-38. Sri Lanka was bowled out shortly after. The only other T20 hat trick for England men was by Chris Jordan against the U.S. during the 2024 T20 World Cup.
This three-match series serves as a final preparation before the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next week.
Curran’s early expensive bowling allowed Sri Lanka to reach a strong position of 76-1 after seven overs, mainly due to Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka.
However, spinners Adil Rashid (3-19) and Liam Dawson (2-31) dismantled the middle order. Curran then claimed his hat trick, with Jamie Overton taking the last wicket.
England began their chase aggressively, with Phil Salt hitting Maheesh Theekshana for 6-4-4 in the first three deliveries. Jos Buttler quickly scored four boundaries off fast bowler Eshan Malinga.
Fielding errors from Sri Lanka were costly. Salt led the scoring with 46 runs off 35 balls but was dropped twice—once on 17 by Wanindu Hasaranga and again on 41 by Matheesha Pathirana. Nissanka also missed a chance to dismiss Harry Brook, who scored 11.
Tom Banton contributed 29 runs off 15 balls, and Brook finished not out on 16.
The second match is set for Sunday, followed by the final game on Tuesday.