England 254 for 4 (Brook 114*, Buttler 80) beat Sri Lanka 135 (Wellalage 33, Baker 3-12) by 119 runs

It is a sketchy claim. But perhaps tonight, England’s new mentor will happily cede to the 27-year old after his third white-ball century of the year, and second in T20Is after his maiden effort against Pakistan at the T20 World Cup. In reply, Sri Lanka mustered just 21 more than Brook’s new career-best between them, bowled out for 135 with an over to spare.

Things were getting away from Sri Lanka as early as the fifth over when Dunith Wellalage was taken for 30 by Brook. And when Buttler was dropped on 45 three overs later, by Eshan Malinga – over-running a sliced heave down the ground at long off – it was clear, not even a quarter of the way through, that this match was only going one way.

England’s superior power and fitness was never going to be matched. More impressive than their total of 19 fours and 12 sixes were the number of twos. Brook did most of the running; nine of his own along with 12 for his three partners.

The Hampshire quick got off the mark with a 90mph rasper that beat opener Kamil Mishara, before adding Lahiru Udara four deliveries later when the right-hander’s attempted scoop found Adil Rashid at short backward square. A return from the Pavilion End then saw a 92mph delivery nip away and knock back Theekshana’s off stump.

All six of England’s bowlers registered in the wicket column, feasting on a line-up that – barring Wellalage’s 33 from 21 at No.8 – were all utterly woeful.

NYE: Young at heart

The 14-year age gap speaks to a difference of cultural attitudes towards the game, particularly in the T20 format: more venerated in India, reluctantly accepted over here. At the age of 29, Donald is England’s oldest T20I debutant in nine years, and was playing his first international match after 112 regular T20s.

With Phil Salt out injured, Donald had big boots to fill, but Brendon McCullum believed he had found the right understudy when watching Donald carve a remarkable 31 from eight deliveries for England Lions at Chelmsford in Sri Lanka’s first warm-up.

The man who capped his assault then – Wellalage – did so here for a more contained 12 off 5. Donald, though, had done his job in his first four balls, closing the the first over of the match by smashing Maheesh Theekshana’s offspin over the midwicket fence, then through cover, and setting England on course for a mammoth score.

Buttler finds comfort in the Bowl

The Utilita Bowl is the most criticised of England’s international venues, and it has come under greater scrutiny with the “hows” and “whys” of its allocation of an Ashes Test next year at the expense of Headingley (or anywhere else north of Nottingham).

It is not the easiest ground to get to. And visiting players note how quickly it has aged since opening in 2001. But if there is anyone who will espouse its virtues, it is Buttler.

Following his 131 against India, Buttler now has 211 runs across his last two T20I innings, both in Southampton. By comparison, he had managed a grand total of 212 runs across his first 14 innings in the format at the start of the year.

That run included a torturous T20 World Cup campaign, the kind that made many wonder if we were in the end days for one of English cricket’s most gifted batters.

This time, Buttler was closed to his devastating best. The four boundaries off Dushmantha Chameera to end the second over – the usual stride-and-thwacks over the bowlers’ heads and the trademark wristy, top-spin carve through cover off wide yorkers – were all very familiar.

Buttler turned 36 this time last week. But, as the team around him continues to push the envelope, the chance to focus on his own game, at his own pace – which today meant bringing up 50 from 29 deliveries as the anchor! – should ensure he and England get the most out of what time he has left.

Sri Lanka lacking Plan B

Everyone’s got a plan until they get Brook-ed and Buttler-ed in the face. And unfortunately for Sri Lanka, the plan thumped out of them was leaning on Theekshana to close out a chaotic innings

Few bowlers, let alone slow ones, take as much pride as Theekshana in their thankless tasks in the powerplay and at the death. But after Donald got hold of his first over, and then Buttler found 13 from his second, Asalanka seemingly forgot about the 26-year-old.

You could understand why the stand-in captain would look beyond someone conceding 13.5 an over. The problem, however, was his attempt to make up the difference proved more expensive. Wellalage’s last over (the 14th) went for 16, and Dasun Shanaka’s (17th) 19.

Wellalage looked particularly wayward, his slowness through the air – whether deliberate or not – left him exposed on an ugly surface that skidded rather than gripped. His economy rate of 17 from three overs was comfortably the worst of his career.