Jacob Bethell took three wickets in one over as Sri Lanka collapsed spectacularly in a 12-run defeat to England in the third T20I.

Bethell finished with superb figures of 4-11 as he rattled through Sri Lanka's tail in an extraordinary finale in Pallekele.

Sri Lanka, however, had seemed on course for victory when they limited England to 128-9 from their 20 overs.

Jos Buttler (25), Sam Curran (58) and Liam Dawson (14) were the only players to score double figures in England's innings, with Dushmantha Chameera taking 5-24 as he ripped through the tourists' order.

Luke Wood (1-13) dismissed Kamil Mishara for a duck with the third ball of Sri Lanka's chase, but Pathum Nissanka (23) and Kusal Mendis (26) steered the hosts to a decent position before their partnership was ended by Dawson (1-25).

However, Will Jacks (3-14) put the pressure on as he skittled out the middle order, paving the way for Bethell's late show.

With Sri Lanka only needing 17 runs from 16 balls, the England youngster sent Dunith Wellalage (9), Chameera (0) and Dasun Shanaka (4) packing in the 18th over, and after Matheesha Pathirana (2 not out) successfully reviewed an lbw decision, Bethell finished off the job when Maheesh Theekshana (2) looped haplessly to Dawson in the field.

SERIES WHITEWASH!

A fantastic win for England to cap off a brilliant series.

2026 World Cup pic.twitter.com/fldlV6yKzZ

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 3, 2026

Data Debrief: England make history to complete World Cup warm-up in style

Sri Lanka are co-hosts for the T20 World Cup, which begins on Saturday, but it is England who can take confidence into the tournament following their 3-0 series victory.

In the process, England made history, with 128 the lowest total they have successfully defended in the shortest format.

Kusal marked his 100th T20I appearance by top-scoring for Sri Lanka, but his milestone game was ultimately one to forget.

And though Bethell will take the plaudits, in dismissing Pavan Rathnayake (13), Adil Rashid became the first England player, and sixth overall, to take 150 T20I wickets.