Jack Leach finished with figures of 4-72 off 28.4 overs

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Jack Leach and Moeen Ali took four wickets apiece as England beat Sri Lanka by 42 runs on the fourth day in Colombo to complete a 3-0 series whitewash.

Starting off the day on 53/4, Sri Lanka lost Lakshan Sandakan early on as he was caught by Ben Stokes off the bowling of Jack Leach for seven runs.

Kusal Mendis and Roshen Silva made up for the loss of Sandakan with a 102-run partnership, during which Mendis surpassed his fifty, before he was run out by Leach for 86, which came off 129 balls and included eight boundaries and a six.

Niroshan Dickwella only mustered 19 runs before he was dismissed by Leach.

Moeen then removed for Dilruwan Perera for five runs, while Silva went on to score a 161-ball 65, which included four boundaries, before he was trapped lbw off the bowling of Moeen.

Malinda Pushpakumara and stand-in captain Suranga Lakmal held off England’s victory as they put together a 58-run stand before Lakmal was given out lbw off the bowling of Leach for 11.

Pushpakumara was left stranded on a 40-ball 42, which included six boundaries and a six.

Moeen and Leach picked up four wickets apiece, while Ben Stokes claimed one.

England batsman Jonny Bairstow was named Man of the Match for his knock of 110 in the first innings.