Three T20Is, three England wins, and two of them chases wrapped up inside 13 overs. That’s the beating Sri Lanka have taken on this tour so far, and they arrive at Chester-le-Street simply hoping to look competitive rather than chasing anything grander.
Kusal Mendis returns from a hamstring injury to lead the ODI side, while Harry Brook heads back to the ground where he struck his maiden ODI century nearly two years ago. Plenty for Cricket Insider UK readers to dig into before the first ball at the Riverside.
England vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI Match Details
Durham hosts the opening ODI of a three match series that follows England’s 3-0 sweep of the T20Is, with the hosts heavily fancied to carry that form straight into the fifty over format.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | 1st ODI, Sri Lanka tour of England 2026 |
| Date | Tuesday, September 22, 2026 |
| Venue | Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street, Durham |
| Start Time | 5:00 PM IST (12:30 PM local) |
| Series | Sri Lanka tour of England, 2026 (ODI series opener) |
(Source: ECB)
England vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI Predicted Playing 11
England have confirmed their XI, with Tom Banton keeping his spot at the top of the order in place of the injured Jacob Bethell, and Rehan Ahmed replacing Adil Rashid after the leg spinner was sent for a scan on his bowling hand.
Sri Lanka’s attack has been battered throughout the T20Is, so a recall for Test spearhead Asitha Fernando looks likely as Mendis reshuffles his options.
Check Full Squads details here!!!
England Confirmed XI: Banton Keeps His Spot as Rashid Withdraws
The reds have named their side in full, with Root back in the middle order and Brook leading from number four.
England Playing 11: Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler, Will Jacks, Rehan Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue
Sri Lanka Predicted XI: Fernando in Line to Freshen Up a Punished Bowling Attack
Mendis takes back the gloves and the captaincy, with Pavan Rathnayake pushed up the order and Fernando’s extra pace added to the mix.
Sri Lanka Playing 11: Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka
(Source: ESPNcricinfo)
Key Players to Watch in the England vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI
Harry Brook has an odd relationship with this format, his numbers lagging slightly behind his T20I output, but the history books tell a different story against this particular opponent.
- His average as captain sits at 51.82 across 20 innings, more than double his figure when not leading the side.
- Against Sri Lanka specifically he averages 92, largely down to an unbeaten 136 in Colombo back in January.
- He returns to Chester-le-Street, the ground where he struck his maiden ODI hundred almost two years ago.
Kusal Mendis carries plenty of weight into this match, leading Sri Lanka’s ODI side for the first time on this tour after recovering from injury.
- 211 runs in four ODI innings this year, at an average of 70.33.
- This is his second spell in the role, having previously taken interim charge in both 2023 and 2024.
- He has called the bowling attack his biggest asset as captain, but England have repeatedly punished it during the T20Is on flatter pitches than Sri Lanka usually encounter.
Sri Lanka’s bowling unit is the one under the most scrutiny heading into Durham.
- The quicks have wilted under pressure all tour, giving Mendis a real selection headache.
- Asitha Fernando’s added pace and experience could offer more control than the T20I attack managed.
- With Sri Lanka’s World Cup qualification already effectively secured through their ranking, there’s scope to test personnel on bouncier surfaces with next year’s tournament in mind.
(Source: ESPNcricinfo)
Riverside Ground Pitch Report and Weather for England vs Sri Lanka
The surface looked green in the build-up, but sunshine over the last few days has dried it out, setting up a good batting track once the covers come off.
| Pitch Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 28 |
| Matches Won Batting First | 11 |
| Matches Won Bowling First | 15 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 240 |
| Average 2nd Innings Score | 192 |
| Highest Total Recorded | 338/6 (SL vs WI) |
| Lowest Total Recorded | 98/10 (ENGW vs NZW) |
- History at this ground actually favours bowling first, with 15 wins from 28 completed matches for sides chasing.
- The average first innings score of 240 gives batters a decent platform, though 192 for the chasing side shows plenty of matches have slipped away in the second innings.
- Fine weather should keep conditions clear, with temperatures in the low 20s Celsius and little risk of interruptions.
(Source: BBC Weather) (Source: ESPNcricinfo)
Check Live streaming details for this tour here!!!
England vs Sri Lanka Head to Head in ODIs
The overall record between these two sides is remarkably even on paper, which makes England’s recent dominance all the more striking.
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | No Result | Tied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 79 | 38 | 37 | 3 | 1 |
| Sri Lanka | 79 | 37 | 38 | 3 | 1 |
- England have the stronger home record, winning 18 of their matches on English soil compared to Sri Lanka’s 9.
- Sri Lanka actually edge the away column, having won 14 matches in England to England’s 16 in Sri Lanka.
- The two sides last met in this format in October 2023, when Sri Lanka chased down 156 for an 8 wicket win at The Oval.
(Source: ESPNcricinfo)
Harry Brook’s Record at Chester-le-Street Gives England Every Reason for Confidence
England go into this series as overwhelming favourites, and it’s hard to see past that given how one sided the T20Is turned out. Brook’s history at this ground and against this opposition only strengthens the case, while Sri Lanka’s main concern remains a bowling attack that has had no answers all tour. A response with the ball, even a losing one, would count as progress for Mendis and his side. For England, a fourth straight win of the tour looks the likely outcome heading into Tuesday’s opener.
