England’s bowlers turned the screws after their batters had spluttered, skittling Sri Lanka for 95 in under 17 overs to seal a commanding 51-run victory and open their account in the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup at Pallekele on Sunday.

Defending a modest 147, England hit the right lengths from ball one. Their quicks bent their backs and their spinners gave the ball a rip as Sri Lanka were reduced to 34 for five inside the Powerplay, a collapse that all but signed the death warrant.

Once half the side was back in the hutch within six overs, there was no Lazarus act from the lower order. England wrapped things up clinically, boosting a healthy Net Run Rate that could yet prove gold dust in the race for the semi-finals.

England’s stranglehold over Sri Lanka in this format continued unabated. This was their 12th straight win against the former champions. Earlier this month they had whitewashed them 3-0 and Sri Lanka’s last T20 win over England dates back to 2014 at The Oval. The hoodoo shows no signs of lifting.

Joffra Archer set the tone with thunderbolts that kissed 150 kmph on the speed gun. He removed both openers, but the prize scalp was that of the in-form Pathum Nissanka, who had lit up the tournament with its first hundred against Australia. Archer lured him into the trap, a fuller delivery inviting the flick. Nissanka took the bait but failed to clear deep mid-wicket and with that wicket, the rot set in.

Will Jacks then put the game beyond doubt, weaving a web with his off-spin to snare three middle-order wickets. The packed Pallekele crowd, buoyant at the start, fell into a hush as the middle order caved in.

Dasun Shanaka waged a lone battle, striking 30 off 24 balls, but his counterattack was snuffed out by Adil Rashid. Attempting to take on the leg-spinner, Shanaka holed out to Jacks in the deep. Losing his balance near the ropes, Jacks showed sharp presence of mind to flick the ball back to Tom Banton before tumbling over.

Earlier, Sri Lanka had done well to restrict England to 146 for nine after opting to bowl. Left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage was the pick of the attack with three for 26, applying the brakes just when England threatened to shift gears.

Phil Salt provided the early impetus with a brisk 62 off 40 balls, peppering the boundary with six fours and two sixes. But with Sri Lanka missing three frontline bowlers, their attack punched above its weight to ensure England never ran away with the game.

Wellalage struck in the Powerplay, trapping Jos Buttler and Harry Brook leg-before as England stumbled to 68-4 at the halfway mark.

Jacks (21) was the only other batter to cross 20 as wickets fell at regular intervals. Dilshan Madushanka kept it tight up front, finishing with two for 25, while Maheesh Theekshana impressed with two for 21, varying his pace cleverly on a surface that offered grip.

Rex Clementine at Pallekele

Two years ago, Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the T20 World Cup. Not only did they make the competition this time, they entered the Super Eights unbeaten.

First, it was Blessing Muzarabani who shut Australia down on a slow pitch in Colombo. Then their top four silenced the Khettarama crowd by chasing down 189 against Sri Lanka. The common factor in those wins were also Brian Bennett’s fifties and Sikandar Raza’s quick cameos. Muzarabani and Brad Evans are also among the top ten wicket takers in the tournament.

With contributions from several players, Zimbabwe could prove a handful for West Indies in Mumbai. They will have to make a quick adjustment, though, having played all their group matches in Sri Lanka, while West Indies have already played twice at the Wankhede.