England’s cricket team is set to tour Sri Lanka from 22 January to 3 February 2026 for an exciting limited-overs series featuring both ODI and T20I formats. The tour includes three One Day Internationals at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium, followed by three T20 Internationals at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Both teams will look to gain momentum ahead of upcoming global tournaments. England arrives with a strong squad led by Harry Brook, while Sri Lanka aims to capitalize on home conditions under Charith Asalanka’s leadership. The series promises thrilling cricket with two competitive sides battling across two formats.
England Tour of Sri Lanka 2026 – Overview
The England tour of Sri Lanka in 2026 features six matches across two formats. The ODI series begins on January 22, with all three matches hosted at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
After the ODI series concludes, both teams will shift focus to the T20I format, with three matches scheduled at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium starting January 30. The tour provides crucial preparation for both teams as they fine-tune their strategies for the future ICC T20 World Cup.
England Tour Of Sri Lanka 2026 – Full Schedule
Below is the complete match schedule for both ODIs and T20Is series, including dates, venues, and match timings.
ODI Series Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue | Start Time (GMT) | Start Time (Local) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | 22 Jan 2026 | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | 9:00 AM | 2:30 PM |
| 2nd ODI | 24 Jan 2026 | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | 9:00 AM | 2:30 PM |
| 3rd ODI | 27 Jan 2026 | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | 9:00 AM | 2:30 PM |
The ODI series takes place entirely at Colombo’s iconic R. Premadasa Stadium, known for its batting-friendly pitches and strong crowd support. All three matches begin at 2:30 PM local time, providing perfect afternoon cricket for fans.
England will look to dominate with their aggressive batting approach, while Sri Lanka’s spinners will pose significant challenges in home conditions.
T20I Series Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue | Start Time (GMT) | Start Time (Local) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | 30 Jan 2026 | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium | 1:30 PM | 7:00 PM |
| 2nd T20I | 1 Feb 2026 | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium | 1:30 PM | 7:00 PM |
| 3rd T20I | 3 Feb 2026 | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium | 1:30 PM | 7:00 PM |
The T20I series shifts to Pallekele, located in Sri Lanka’s central highlands. Evening matches starting at 7:00 PM local time promise excellent viewing conditions and electrifying atmospheres.
The venue’s pitch characteristics typically favor spinners, making it challenging for visiting teams. Both sides will experiment with different combinations as they prepare for upcoming T20 tournaments.
England Tour of Sri Lanka 2026 – Squads
Both teams have announced strong squads featuring experienced players and promising youngsters for the ODI series, while Sri Lanka’s T20I squad is yet to be announced.
England vs Sri Lanka ODI Squads:
| Teams | Players |
|---|---|
| England ODI Squad | Harry Brook (Captain) Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Rehan Ahmed, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Tom Banton, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood |
| Sri Lanka ODI Squad | Charith Asalanka (Captain)Pathum Nissanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Dhananjaya de Silva, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Milan Priyanath Rathnayake, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Jeffrey Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Pramod Madushan, Eshan Malinga |
England vs Sri Lanka T20Is Squads:
| Teams | Players |
|---|---|
| England T20s Squad | Harry Brook (Captain) Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Rehan Ahmed, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Tom Banton, Jos Buttler, Philip Salt, Brydon Carse, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood |
| Sri Lanka T20s Squad | (To Be Announced) |
Sri Lanka vs England Head-to-Head Record
The rivalry between Sri Lanka and England has produced memorable encounters across formats, with both teams enjoying periods of dominance in their cricketing history.
T20s Head-to-Head Record
| Total Matches Played | 14 |
| Sri Lanka Won | 4 |
| England Won | 10 |
England holds a commanding lead in T20I encounters with 10 victories compared to Sri Lanka’s 4 wins. England’s aggressive batting approach and strong pace bowling have given them an edge in the shortest format.
However, Sri Lanka’s home conditions and quality spinners make them dangerous opponents. Recent T20 World Cups have seen competitive matches between these sides, with England’s power-hitting often proving decisive in close encounters.
ODI Head-to-Head Record
| Total Matches Played | 79 |
| Sri Lanka Won | 37 |
| England Won | 38 |
The ODI head-to-head record is remarkably close, with England holding a narrow 38-37 lead over Sri Lanka in 79 matches. This near-even split reflects the competitive nature of their rivalry. Sri Lanka has historically performed well at home with their spin-friendly conditions troubling English batters.
England’s recent transformation under their aggressive “Bazball” philosophy has made them formidable opponents. Recent encounters have been closely contested, with matches often decided in the final overs.
Live Streaming & Broadcast Details
| Region | Broadcaster/Streaming Options |
|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | SLRC, Channel Eye/ SLRC Online, Dialog ViU |
| England | Sky Sports Cricket/ Sky Go, NOW TV |
| India | Star Sports Network/ Jiocinema, Hotstar |
| Canada | Willow TV |
Fans worldwide can watch the series through multiple broadcasting channels and streaming platforms. In Sri Lanka, matches will be available on SLRC channels and streamed via Dialog ViU. English viewers can access Sky Sports Cricket or streaming services Sky Go and NOW TV.
Indian cricket enthusiasts can watch on Star Sports Network with streaming options on JioCinema and Hotstar, ensuring comprehensive coverage across different regions.
England Tour Of Sri Lanka 2026 – Ticket Information
Sri Lanka will host England in 2026 for a white-ball series consisting of three T20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals. The games are set to draw major enthusiasm from cricket fans eager to catch both formats live.
Fans can conveniently secure their tickets online through the official ECB platform. Follow these five simple steps to book your seat and be part of the action:
Visit the ECB Website – Go to the official EWCB Website and head to the ticketing section.
Choose the Match – Select the T20I or ODI match and venue you’d like to attend.
Pick Your Seats – View available seating options and choose according to your preference and budget.
Proceed to Checkout – Confirm your match, enter payment details, and complete the booking.
Download Your Ticket – After payment, download or print your e‑ticket for match day entry.
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Conclusion: England’s Tour Of Sri Lanka Starts From 22 January
England’s tour of Sri Lanka 2026 promises exciting cricket with closely matched teams competing across ODI and T20I formats. The head-to-head records show minimal separation, with England leading 38-37 in ODIs and 10-4 in T20Is. Sri Lanka’s home advantage and experienced spinners will challenge England’s aggressive batting lineup. Both teams feature strong squads with the perfect blend of youth and experience. Cricket fans can look forward to competitive matches with streaming available across multiple platforms globally.
