Sri Lanka begin a three-match ODI series against England at Chester-le-Street today, a day-night fixture that follows a T20I series they lost 3-0 and in which they were comprehensively outplayed.
England won the first T20I by 119 runs, then chased down Sri Lankan totals in 12.1 overs and 9.4 overs in the second and third. The remaining ODIs are at Leeds on 24 September and The Oval on 27 September.
Kusal Mendis captains the side, his second stint in the role after standing in during 2023 and 2024. He missed the T20I leg while recovering from a hamstring injury and will play his first match of the tour. He and head coach Gary Kirsten, also appointed this year, now have to settle personnel and approach ahead of the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Sri Lanka’s position at sixth in the ODI rankings means they cannot drop below eighth before the 30 September cut-off, so qualification for that tournament is effectively secured. England beat them 2-1 in an ODI series in Sri Lanka earlier this year and beat India by the same margin in July.
Team news
England have named their side, with Tom Banton opening alongside Ben Duckett in the absence of the injured Jacob Bethell, and Rehan Ahmed replacing Adil Rashid, who has a niggle in his bowling hand and has been sent for a scan. Joe Root returns for the 50-over format.
England: Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (capt), Jos Buttler (wk), Will Jacks, Rehan Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue.
Sri Lanka are expected to bring Test spearhead Asitha Fernando into the attack after their specialist white-ball quicks struggled in the T20Is, with the top order also in flux.
The Durham surface looked green on the eve of the match but was exposed to strong sunshine on Monday, and a good batting pitch is expected. Fair weather is forecast, with temperatures in the low 20s Celsius.
