Top-ranked England will begin a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka on 23 June at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. The two sides will meet thrice in four days before heading to the three-match ODI series.
Led by Eoin Morgan, England have won 16 T20Is and lost 8 since 2019. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have won 5 and lost 14 over the same period.
England will miss the services of Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes in the series. While Stokes has returned for Durham in the Vitality T20 Blast competition after a broken finger, Archer’s recovery process from his elbow injury continues. Chris Woakes, who has not played T20Is for England since 2015, is likely to feature in the first game.
Kusal Perera’s Sri Lanka are nowhere near to their opposition’s squad strength. Not an experienced side, they contain three uncapped players in Dhananjaya Lakshan, Charith Asalanka and Ishan Jayaratne.
Sue Redfern will become the first female umpire to officiate in an England Men’s game in England. Redfern will replace Alex Wharf as the fourth umpire, as the latter is officiating the World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and New Zealand, headed for a reserve day on 23 June.
Head to Head
England have played Sri Lanka nine times in T20Is. They have won five and lost four.
Probable XIs
England: Jason Roy, Jos Buttler (wk), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
Sri Lanka: Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera (c & wk), Kusal Mendis, Oshada Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep
Prediction
England to overpower Sri Lanka in the contest.