label.ECBHome
label.ECBHome

Dawson stars on debut as England win

Spinner takes three wickets on debut as England beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets

Liam Dawson enjoyed a dream debut in front of his home fans as England beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the sole NatWest IT20.

The Hampshire spinner took 3-27 to help bowl out Sri Lanka for just 140 - a total which never looked enough.

Jos Buttler, promoted to open the batting, then blazed a T20 career-best 73 not out as England completed a Test, ODI and T20 clean sweep over the tourists.

Dawson’s evening began with Eoin Morgan handing him his first England cap and the new boy rewarded his captain by helping to bowl Sri Lanka out for 140.

Dawson’s first victim was opener Dhanushka Gunathilaka who drove down the ground to Chris Jordan who took a tumbling catch.

His second wicket was all of his own making, a smart caught and bowled to remove Kusal Mendis, and the trio of scalps was complete when the dangerous Angelo Mathews missed an ugly heave and was bowled.

Dawson’s display capped an impressive effort in the field which included two run outs inflicted by Jason Roy and James Vince.

England’s speedsters Chris Jordan and Liam Plunkett took five wickets between them with the Sussex man taking two in successive balls to wrap up the innings.

England’s other debutant, Tymal Mills, although wicketless, also impressed on his first outing, regularly clocking over 90mph.

Buttler led the reply, powering four sixes as England cruised home.

After England lost Roy for a duck and Vince to a smart stumping by Dinesh Chandimal, Buttler linked up with Morgan to share an unbroken 114-run stand.

Morgan, in making an unbeaten 41, showed signs of a return to form and he won the game in style with a towering six.