Sri Lanka and England begin their three-match T20I series with the first game set to be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on Friday, January 30. With the T20 World Cup 2026 just around the corner, both teams will treat this series as an important final tune-up.

England arrives with confidence after turning things around in the ODI series. After losing the opener, they won the next two matches to clinch the series and will now look to carry that momentum into the shortest format. This T20I series is England’s final competitive outing before the World Cup, so it is a chance to finalise combinations and roles.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be looking to start strong at home. They have had some mixed results in their recent T20Is and would look to increase their consistency levels. With experienced players in both the batting and bowling departments, the hosts know they need a complete team effort to challenge a strong England side.

SL vs ENG: Head-to-Head in T20Is

• Matches Played: 14
  
• Sri Lanka Won: 4
  
• England Won: 10
  
• Tied / No Result: 0

SL vs ENG: Pitch Report

The surface at Pallekele usually offers a fair contest between bat and ball. The batting is relatively easier in the first innings, but the pitch does slow down a bit in the latter stages. The average first-innings score at this venue is approximately 160, and it might be a good to prefer batting first.

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SL vs ENG: Predicted Playing XIs

Sri Lanka (SL):

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dushmantha Chameera

England:

Phil Salt (wk), Jos Buttler, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood

England captain Harry Brook produced a masterclass innings against Sri Lanka in the third ODI on January 27 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Leading from the front, Brook scored an unbeaten 136 off just 66 balls, powering England to a massive 357/3 in their 50 overs. His aggressive approach and flawless shot selection put the Sri Lankan bowlers under relentless pressure, setting the tone for a dominant batting display. This innings demonstrated his ability to take charge in high-stakes matches and anchor a formidable total for his side.

After reaching his century, Brook celebrated in a highly entertaining and unique manner that caught the attention of fans and commentators alike. Removing both gloves, he raised them high before punching his fists together, replicating the iconic entrance gesture of WWE legend Stone Cold Steve Austin, who famously performed it with beer bottles. The crowd erupted in applause as Brook’s celebration combined both flair and humor, reflecting his confidence and charisma on the field, adding a memorable moment to an already remarkable innings.

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This century marked Brook’s third in ODI cricket and highlighted his rapid progression in the international arena. At a time when global cricket boasts a wealth of emerging talent, Brook’s innings stood out for its combination of power, timing, and temperament. His ability to dominate attacks and play match-defining innings has positioned him as one of the most exciting young cricketers in the world. With performances like this, Brook continues to cement his reputation as a leading figure in England’s batting lineup.

Watch the video here;

Harry Brook celebrating with what looks like a Stone Cold Steve Austin beer smash pic.twitter.com/cIEtJWynOq

— Cameron Ponsonby (@cameronponsonby) January 27, 2026

England scored 357 in their 50 overs

England’s innings in the third ODI was dominated by a sensational partnership between Harry Brook and Joe Root. Brook, in blistering form, smashed 11 fours and nine sixes on his way to an unbeaten 136, while Root anchored the innings with a composed 111 off 108 balls, including nine fours and a six. Jacob Bethell added a steady 65 off 72 deliveries, helping England post a commanding total. For Sri Lanka, only three bowlers managed to claim a single wicket each. This match served as the series decider after both sides had won one game each.

Sri Lanka had won the first ODI by 19 runs, with Kusal Mendis scoring a brilliant 93 and Dunith Wellalage delivering an economical spell of 2/41 in 10 overs. England bounced back in the second ODI, chasing down 220 with ease, guided by Joe Root’s composed 75. After the ODI series, both teams will compete in a three-match T20I series, starting January 30, with the second game on February 1 and the final match scheduled for February 3.

England skipper Harry Brook delivered a breathtaking performance in the third and deciding ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo, producing one of the finest knocks of his young one-day career. In a high-stakes encounter with the series on the line, Brook rose to the occasion with a brutal display of power-hitting that left the hosts reeling.

Batting first, England were already in a solid position at 166/3 when Brook walked out to the middle, joining an in-form Joe Root. What followed was a masterclass in controlled aggression. The pair stitched together a commanding 191-run partnership, but it was Brook who took on the role of chief aggressor, completely dictating the tempo of the innings.

Brook’s 57-ball century powers England to a series-deciding win

Brook accelerated effortlessly, targeting both pace and spin with equal confidence. As the innings progressed, he shifted through the gears with ease, launching Sri Lanka’s bowlers into the stands and piercing the gaps with precision. His century came up in just 57 balls, underlining the ferocity of his approach. By the time the innings ended, Brook had raced to an unbeaten 136 off only 66 deliveries, smashing nine sixes and 11 fours.

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His onslaught powered England to a formidable total of 357/3, a score that effectively put the contest beyond Sri Lanka. It was Brook’s third ODI hundred, and it could not have come at a more crucial moment. The knock also marked his career-best score in the format.

From a statistical perspective, Brook’s numbers continue to impress. In 38 ODIs, he has now scored 1,354 runs at an average of 39.82, striking at a rapid 105.28. Playing his maiden ODI series against Sri Lanka, Brook finished as England’s leading contributor with 192 runs.

The innings was historic as well. Brook’s 57-ball hundred stands as the fourth-fastest ODI century against Sri Lanka and the joint-sixth fastest by an England batter, placing him alongside Eoin Morgan. It was a knock that showcased Brook’s growing stature as England’s go-to match-winner in white-ball cricket.

England captain Harry Brook did not hold back after his team’s win in the second ODI against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium. Chasing 220, England sealed the match by five wickets with 22 balls remaining. The victory ended England’s long 11-match losing streak away from home. It was a much-needed boost for the visitors.

Brook said the win felt special given the conditions. He admitted that batting was extremely difficult on the sluggish surface. The England skipper stressed that quick adaptation was the key to success. According to him, survival at the crease mattered more than scoring freely.

“It's nice to get a win away from home and on a tough surface. We're happy to get the victory,” Brook said. He then criticized the pitch heavily. “The pitch is probably the worst pitch I've ever played on,” he added, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“Not a Great Wicket for ODI Cricket,” Says Root

Joe Root, who was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance, shared similar thoughts. Root said he always enjoys visiting Sri Lanka and feels welcomed every time. However, he admitted the pitch made batting very challenging. He felt the surface did not suit the ODI format.

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“I always love coming to Sri Lanka. It's a great country,” Root said. Speaking about the wicket, he added, “I don't think that's a great wicket for ODI cricket, if I'm being brutally honest.” Root explained that he tried to play the ball late to manage the conditions. England, he said, learned from their mistakes in the first game.

An important 81-run partnership between Brook and Root played a big role in England’s win. Batting remained tough throughout the match for both teams. Spinners dominated the game, picking up 11 of the 15 wickets that fell. The third and final ODI will be played at the same venue on January 27.

England continued to experience a decline in one-day international cricket during their first match against Sri Lanka which resulted in a 19-run loss at Colombo and gave the host team an early victory in the series. 

England maintained control of the match during their chase of 272 according to their performance during the match. A 117-run partnership between Ben Duckett and Joe Root brought England to 129 for 1 after 27 overs because both batters showed equal skill against spin and pace bowling. Sri Lanka achieved a game-changing moment when they managed to execute two wickets within a brief time period.

The double lbw decisions against Duckett and Root initiated a typical English batting collapse. The visitors lost their advantage to reach 252 all out after their batsmen lost five wickets within 35 runs. Sri Lanka’s spinners tightened their control over the game, which resulted in Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell and Sam Curran being dismissed for low scores.

Mendis’ masterclass and Rashid’s effort underline England’s growing ODI concerns

Jamie Overton provided a late fightback, which he achieved through his 34 runs off 17 balls to create short-lived hopes. Rehan Ahmed made a valuable contribution through his energetic performance.England could not succeed because they had to complete an excessive amount of work before the end of the game.

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Kusal Mendis who made 93 not out, led Sri Lanka through their innings, which resulted in 271 for 6. His batting performance proved crucial because the pitch conditions required players to show restraint. Adil Rashid emerged as the top English bowler by achieving 3 for 44 bowling performance.

England has continued their streak of poor ODI results since they have lost 11 of their previous 15 matches. The second ODI match on Saturday must become a victory for the team because they already face challenges about World Cup qualification.

England tour of Sri Lanka – Schedule and results

England’s white-ball captain, Harry Brook, was involved in an altercation with a bouncer in New Zealand ahead of the Ashes 2025/26, a matter of hours before he captained the final clash of their limited-overs series. The incident is reported by The Telegraph and took place on October 31, the day before their third ODI contest in Wellington.

An investigation saw the Yorkshire batter getting fined around 30000 pounds by the ECB, although he was retained in the leadership position. Harry Brook returned home as the Ashes concluded with a five-wicket defeat in Sydney, which brought the scoreline to 4-1. He will fly to Sri Lanka after a 10-day break.

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“I want to apologise for my actions. I fully accept that my behaviour was wrong and brought embarrassment to both myself and the England team. Representing England is the greatest honour of all, which I take seriously, and I am deeply sorry for letting down my teammates, coaches, and supporters. I have reflected on the lessons it has taught me about responsibility, professionalism, and the standards.” Brook expressed in a statement released by the ECB.

Harry Brook penalized for disciplinary action over clash with bouncer

England went on to lose that third ODI by two wickets, as the home side claimed the series by a 3-0 margin. They, then, lose the Ashes, having relinquished a shot at reclaiming the urn inside 11 days. Brook finished as their second-leading run-getter with 358 runs, averaging 39.77.

“We are aware of this incident, and it has been dealt with through a formal and confidential ECB disciplinary process. The player involved has apologised and acknowledged their conduct fell below expectations on this occasion.” The spokesperson of the England Cricket Board (ECB) addressed.

“We've had four years where we've had none of these issues, really, with any of the players. And there's a whole process that we put in place for stuff like that for what you do if they're out of line. And I didn't feel like that was worthy of formal warnings. But it was probably worthy of informal ones.” ECB’s managing director, Rob Key, shed light on Ben Duckett’s drunk video. 

On the sidelines of the ongoing fifth and final Ashes 2025/26 Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the two former players, Mark Waugh and Michael Vaughan, have been asked to reflect on the decision to select the next best Test batter in future, to which both went for two different players.

Junior went ahead with the current left-handed opening batter of India, Yashasvi Jaiswal, ahead of the captain, Shubman Gill. Jaiswal has already smashed 2511 runs in 53 Test innings at an average of nearly 50, thanks to his seven centuries and 13 half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 214.

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“I reckon there are three in the run- Yashasvi Jaiswal from India, Harry Brook from England, and Rachin Ravindra from New Zealand. I am, however, going with Jaiswal- 24 years of age, averages just under 50, has a 200, and there is something special about the kid. I am selecting him to be the next best Test batter and join the elite group of players.” Junior Waugh shed light on Kayo Sports.

Mark Waugh picks Yashasvi Jaiswal as next best Test batter

Meanwhile, Vaughn has gone with the current white-ball captain of England, Harry Brook, who has notched up 3052 runs in 58 innings of the longest format at an average of 54.50 and a strike rate of 86.82 with 10 centuries and 14 fifties at the best score of 317.

Watch the video here: 

Who do you think the next great Test cricket batsman is? 🏏🤔

Watch the #Ashes LIVE in 4K and ad-break free during play, on Kayo!#TheAshes #AUSvENG #SCG #Cricket pic.twitter.com/9xOBP6TooR

— Kayo Sports (@kayosports) January 7, 2026

“I will throw Shubman Gill in the list, but I reckon Harry Brook is the next best Test batter in the future. We have already been talking about him, whether in his trip, where he hasn’t got the amount of runs I would have expected, but over the next 10 years, I am expecting some extraordinary innings from this young chap.” Vaughan expressed.

“He has already played so many games for England in both the white-ball and red-ball formats. And he is box office- so I have been going on with Harry Brook.” The former England captain addressed, as no one picked Rachin Ravindra, who has 1526 Test runs at 47.68 with four centuries and five fifties.

Jofra Archer, who has been ruled out of the ongoing Ashes 2025/26, has been named in the provisional squad of the England side for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. He has been nursing a left side strain that ruled him out of the series. The 15-member squad includes Josh Tongue, uncapped in the limited-overs cricket under Harry Brook’s leadership.

Head coach Brendon McCullum and Brook expect Tongue to be a strike bowler on the flatter pitches of India and Sri Lanka. Jamie Smith has been axed from the limited-overs, while Ben Duckett returns to the squad after being away from the New Zealand trip ahead of the Australia series.

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Archer is recovering in Barbados under the supervision of the ECB’s medical team and will miss the three ODIs and three T20Is in Sri Lanka, which begins on January 22, with Brydon Carse staying on after the 50-over games to fill in. He is expected to join the squad in India ahead of the Group C match against Nepal in Mumbai.

England announce T20 World Cup 2026 squad

After the opening game against Nepal, England will lock horns with West Indies in Mumbai on February 11 before they take on Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens, which will also host their last group-stage clash against Italy on February 16. 

Tongue has been an interesting choice in the squad. He, however, was the leading wicket-taker in this year’s Men’s The Hundred competition with 14 wickets and has impressed in the two Ashes with 12 at 18.58, which includes his match-winning 5/45 at the MCG, as part of the match figures of 7/89.

England, who lifted the title in 2022 under Jos Buttler’s captaincy, finished as the semi-finalists in the last season, where they lost the clash against India. They previously won the event in 2010 and 2022.

England’s squad for T20 World Cup 2026

Harry Brook (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood. 

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 has suffered a major setback with several top England players set to miss the tournament. With the IPL and PSL clashing in the 2026 season, the dominance of the IPL has once again impacted player availability, and the England Cricket Board’s (ECB) strict workload policy has added further trouble for the PSL.

According to recent reports, England’s centrally contracted red-ball players will not receive No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to play in PSL 11. The ECB has prioritised the County Championship and England’s home Test summer, which includes a three-match Test series against New Zealand in June 2026. While the IPL continues to remain an exception, players who skip or go unsold in the IPL are expected to rest rather than join other overseas leagues.

England players unavailable for PSL 2026

As per current ECB guidelines and contract structures, the following England players are unlikely to feature in PSL 11:

• Ben Stokes
• Harry Brook
• Mark Wood
• Jamie Smith
• Gus Atkinson
• Rehan Ahmed
• Saqib Mahmood
• Ollie Robinson
• Matthew Potts
• Brydon Carse
• Zak Crawley
• Joe Root (unlikely due to workload management)

Most of these players hold red-ball or multi-format central contracts, making them unavailable during the PSL window, which runs from March 26 to May 3, 2026.

ALSO SEE: Watch: Alex Carey dedicates maiden Ashes 2025/26 century to his late father in Adelaide

Why ECB has blocked PSL participation

The ECB has tightened its NOC policy to protect player fitness ahead of a busy international calendar. With the County Championship starting in April and international commitments immediately after, the board is unwilling to risk injuries or burnout. The IPL remains the only overseas league given special clearance due to its commercial agreements and fixed calendar slot.

Impact on PSL franchises

The absence of marquee England names significantly affects PSL franchises, especially with the league expanding to eight teams in 2026. Teams are now expected to shift focus towards:

• Unsold IPL players
• Australian and West Indies cricketers
• Emerging overseas talent

With growing competition from the IPL and limited access to England’s elite players, PSL 2026 faces a challenging road ahead as it works to retain global relevance and star appeal.

The buildup to the IPL 2026 Mini Auction has intensified, and one storyline has captured the attention of fans and scouts alike: the confirmed absence of three prominent England cricketers. Their exclusion is not due to form, injury, or lack of franchise interest; instead, it stems directly from the strict auction regulations enforced by the BCCI. As teams prepare to engage in another high-stakes bidding war, these absences are already reshaping auction-room strategies.

Ben Stokes: A Decision That Echoes Forward

Ben Stokes' pathway into the IPL 2026 auction was shut the moment he chose not to register for the IPL 2025 mega auction. Under BCCI rules, a player who skips the mega auction cannot re-enter during the following mini auction cycle. Stokes made his decision during a period focused on workload management and Test commitments, and that choice now legally bars him from the 2026 mini auction.

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Harry Brook: Late Withdrawal Leads to Automatic Block

Harry Brook’s case differs but ultimately leads to the same outcome. After withdrawing from IPL 2025 shortly before the season for personal reasons, he was deemed unavailable for the remainder of the cycle. According to BCCI regulations, a player who pulls out after commitment triggers an automatic ineligibility for the next mini auction. Brook, once expected to be among the hottest overseas picks, will not feature this year.

Jason Roy: Consecutive Withdrawals Close the Door

Jason Roy’s absence results from back-to-back withdrawals. After opting out of IPL 2024 and failing to register for the 2025 mega auction, Roy effectively exited the entire cycle. Under the rules, players who skip a full mega-auction window cannot re-enter mid-cycle, making Roy ineligible as well.

With the auction scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi, and 77 slots open across 10 teams, the absence of these three marquee England players significantly alters the overseas landscape. Franchises now shift focus toward emerging international talents, associate-nation cricketers, and in-form domestic performers. Their absence is expected to increase competition for the remaining high-impact all-rounders and top-order hitters always premium categories in IPL bidding.