A fine comeback with the ball, led by Mark Wood, followed by a nervy chase secured victory in Sydney and a top-two finish alongside New Zealand in Group One. Australia, defending champions, are out
Sydney: Sri Lanka 141-8, England 144-6 - England won by four wickets
England kept their cool to march into the men's T20 World Cup semi-finals and dump out defending champions and hosts Australia thanks to victory over Sri Lanka at the SCG.
Jos Buttler's side kept calm when they needed to most to remain on course for a second title, but it was not without several alarms.
Already eliminated Sri Lanka were worthy opponents with Pathum Nissanka (67) giving them a breezy start in the powerplay.
But a fine comeback in the second half of the innings, led by Mark Wood, ensured they finished with a sub-par total of 141 for 8.
Alex Hales hit 47 but England soon lost their way, losing five wickets for 36 as Sri Lanka's spinner ran riot.
Pathum Nissanka put down the hammer in the powerplay (SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)
But Ben Stokes, whose place in the England XI has been much-debated, showed all of his experience with an unbeaten 42 to secure the much-important victory with two balls to spare.
The victory sees the 2010 winners progress to the last four in second place behind New Zealand from Group One. They will play in the second semi-final in Adelaide on Thursday (November 10) against the winners of Group Two.
The Asia Cup holders, led by a familiar face in ex-England head coach Chris Silverwood, were 71 for 1 at the end of the eighth over but only added another 70 in the final dozen while losing regular wickets.
Nissanka was extremely impressive in the powerplay and when Wood went off the field, having shipped 17 from his first over, England appeared to be in trouble.
But upon his return, the Durham quick produced an inspired two-over spell.
Mark Wood returned to the field with an inspired spell (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
He dismissed Dasun Shanaka (3) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (22), ran out Wanindu Hasaranga and then saw off Chamika Karunaratne (0) as Sri Lanka collapsed to 141 for 8. Adil Rashid was equally impressive in the middle overs, finishing with 1 for 16 from his four overs.
Indeed, the only entry in the negative column for England was the injury to Dawid Malan, who limped off the field in the 14h over with a muscle injury.
Knowing spin would have an impact later in the innings, England wasted little time in the chase. Buttler and Alex Hales put on 75 for the first wicket before being removed in successive Hasaranga overs.
Five wickets fell for 36 runs as a routine chase turned into a nervy affair in Sydney.
Stokes and Curran eased the pressure, but England still needed 13 from 12 when the Surrey left-armer became Lahiru Kumara's second victim.
But the Test skipper, heavily strapped due to a knee injury, held his nerve to guide England home. Chris Woakes, batting for the first time in the tournament, hit the winning runs with a four through backward point to keep the dream alive of holding both men's white-ball world titles simultaneously.