England vs Sri Lanka Highlights, T20 World Cup 2021: England beat Sri Lanka by 26 runs for fourth successive win

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera (w), Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka (c), Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara

Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka wins the toss, opts to field first against England in Sharjah.

"Looks like a standard Sharjah wicket, there's a nice sheen which means the ball will skid on. Decent sized boundaries all around. The pitch was watered last night. There is a bit in it for the bowlers as well, back of the length is the way to go." -- Niall O'Brien and Shane Watson

England have won 8 of the 12 T20Is between the two countries, including three of the four times they have met at T20 World Cups.

Adil Rashid said he is ready to play a full part in England's bid to lift the T20 World Cup after overcoming a persistent shoulder injury. The leg-spinner had to have two cortisone injections in his bowling arm during England's triumphant campaign in the 50-over World Cup in 2019 on home soil. He took 11 wickets at an expensive average of nearly 48, albeit during a tournament during which many slow bowlers struggled to make an impact. Rashid's injury effectively scuppered any thoughts of a return to Test duty. But a lengthy period of rehabilitation has given him confidence he can deploy his full range of deliveries at the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Charith Asalanka has been in sublime form and from Sri Lanka's point of view, it was good to see opener Pathum Nissanka belting the South African attack. If the batters do better, the bowlers showed on Saturday afternoon that they are capable of defending decent totals. The bowlers did well to keep Sri Lanka in the game for the major part of the innings until they were undone by David Miller's six-hitting prowess in the 20th over.

England skipper Morgan opened the bowling with Adil Rashid on Saturday and not Moeen Ali, considering Aaron Finch's struggles against the leggie. Moeen did not need to bowl at all. Pacer Chris Woakes was brilliant with the new ball and Chris Jordan too came to the party with triple strikes. Death overs specialist Tymal Mills was a tad expensive against Australia but he has been able to pick wickets throughout the tournament. Part time spinner Liam Livingstone too has done a good job for the team, providing Morgan another valuable bowling resource.

Considering their inexperience, Sri Lanka have not played too badly and the final over finish against South Africa could have gone either way. Unfortunately for them, it was their second loss in three games and they must win against England to keep themselves in the competition.

England sent out a loud statement to all the other teams with an eight-wicket rout of Australia, who too were looking a strong unit until their frailties were exposed. Jos Buttler was simply unstoppable against Australia and that is another big positive for England going into the knock-out phase. Their big margin of victory in all three games has meant that their middle-order has not been tested but Morgan is confident they will deliver when the time comes.

Pre-tournament favourites England have played as per the expectations in their first three games, steamrolling their opponents, including arch-rivals Australia on Saturday night. The Eoin Morgan-led side, which is heavily driven by data and match-ups, seem to have all bases covered and back up plans in place even though they have not needed one yet.