Liam Dawson hailed the batting “freaks” that delivered another T20 series victory for England.
Harry Brook’s side overpowered Sri Lanka for the second time in three days, as a six-wicket win in Cardiff was achieved with 7.5 overs to spare.
It gave England an insurmountable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, which has come on the back of beating India 4-0 earlier in the summer.
In fact, England have won 22 of their last 25 matches in the short format of the game – a run of results often based on extraordinary power hitting.
Brook bludgeoned 114 not out from 49 balls in the opening win at Southampton, and this time Tom Banton got England over the line with an unbeaten 52 off 24 deliveries.
Banton’s pivotal innings came after Jos Buttler became the first player to reach 15,000 runs in T20 cricket.
“We’ve had a fairly settled side for those period of games and we’ve got match winners throughout,” spinner Dawson said when asked to explain the secret of England’s success after his three wickets had swung the game in their favour.
“Look at the class and power with the bat, not many teams have that destructiveness.
“We’ve got some freaks in our teams and it’s been brilliant to be involved with.
“The role ‘Bants’ (Banton) has played is very different to what he probably does in domestic cricket and franchise cricket.
“But to show his versatility and bat in the middle order, like he’s done in the last year, shows how world class he is.
“There’s just a lot of confidence in the group. We have so much power with the bat – and we bat fairly deep as well.
“That does allow the hitters at the top of the order just to keep going. It’s really cool to play under.”
Buttler supported Brook at Southampton by making 80 from 44 balls in England’s huge 119-run win in the opening rubber.
He seemed primed for another big score as Sri Lanka struggled to defend their modest total of 145 for nine, but had to settle for a quickfire 30 off 16 balls.
Dawson said: “He’s a legend of the game, England’s best-ever white-ball player.
“To go past 15,000 runs is an incredible achievement and he’s such a top bloke in the changing room as well.
“I’m really pleased for him and I’m sure there’s more to come.”
Sri Lanka, having been asked to bat after losing the toss, started well and reached 56 without loss in the powerplay.
But wickets tumbled regularly after Dawson struck twice in successive balls and Jamie Overton and Sonny Baker, in particular, backed him up.
On a ground not known for being particularly helpful to spinners, Dawson finished with three for 32 from his four overs.
“I’ve always enjoyed bowling here,” said Dawson. “With the bigger square boundaries you can drive it into the wicket a little bit more than other surfaces.
“I kept it simple and thankfully it came off. I don’t think you get over-confident. We are playing some good cricket and that’s a brilliant feeling.
“The lads certainly won’t get complacent, but we want to try and win as many games as we can.”
