England Tour of Sri Lanka 2026

England have opted for continuity and stability by retaining Harry Brook as captain for their white-ball tour of Sri Lanka in 2026, as preparations intensify for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup later that year.

The tour, which forms a key part of England’s World Cup build-up, will feature three One-Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals, with matches scheduled to be played in Colombo and Kandy. With Sri Lanka set to co-host the global tournament alongside India, the series is expected to serve as a valuable rehearsal under subcontinent conditions.

Balanced Squads with an Eye on the Future

England’s selections reflect a careful blend of experience and emerging talent. Josh Tongue has earned his maiden IT20 call-up following strong domestic performances, while Brydon Carse continues to cement his role as a versatile pace option across formats.

Fast bowler Jofra Archer remains part of England’s long-term World Cup plans and has been named in the provisional ICC Men’s T20 World Cup squad, though he will not travel to Sri Lanka as he continues his recovery from injury.

Will Jacks returns to the white-ball setup after missing England’s previous assignment, adding depth to both the batting and bowling units, while Zak Crawley’s recall to the ODI squad marks his return to the format after more than two years.

Experience Key in Subcontinent Conditions

Senior figures Jos Buttler and Joe Root provide leadership and experience, particularly important as England fine-tune combinations and roles in conditions similar to those expected during the World Cup.

Spin is expected to play a decisive role throughout the series, with Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson likely to shoulder major responsibility. England’s batting group will focus on adapting to slower surfaces, where shot selection and strike rotation will be critical.

Tour Schedule and World Cup Focus

England’s tour party is scheduled to depart on January 18, 2026, with the series getting underway at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. As the countdown to the World Cup continues, the Sri Lanka tour represents an important opportunity for England to build momentum, establish clarity in selection, and gain confidence under Brook’s leadership.

England Men’s IT20 Squad – Sri Lanka Tour & Provisional ICC Men’s T20 World Cup

Harry Brook (Captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer* (ICC Men’s T20 World Cup only), Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse* (Sri Lanka tour only), Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood

England Men’s ODI Squad – Sri Lanka Tour

Harry Brook (Captain), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Luke Wood

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the appointment of former pace spearhead Lasith Malinga as Consultant Fast Bowling Coach for the Sri Lanka National Men’s Team, in a move aimed at strengthening preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Malinga’s appointment will be on a short-term basis, spanning a one-month period from 15 December to 25 January 2026. During this time, he will work closely with Sri Lanka’s national fast bowlers, focusing on preparation, skill development, and tactical execution as the team builds toward the global T20 showpiece.
One of the most successful fast bowlers Sri Lanka has ever produced, Malinga brings a wealth of international experience to the role. Renowned worldwide for his unique bowling action and exceptional ability in death overs, Malinga played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s success in limited-overs cricket, particularly in the shortest format of the game. His expertise is expected to be invaluable as Sri Lanka sharpens its bowling resources ahead of the World Cup.

Sri Lanka Cricket stated that the decision to bring Malinga on board is part of a broader strategy to leverage his proven knowledge of T20 cricket, especially in high-pressure situations. His guidance will aim to enhance consistency, accuracy, and match-awareness among the fast bowlers, key areas that often determine outcomes in T20 cricket.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India, adding further significance to the preparation phase. The tournament is scheduled to begin on 7 February 2026, with the opening match set to be played at the iconic Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo.

With home conditions playing a major role, Sri Lanka Cricket hopes Malinga’s involvement will provide the national side with a competitive edge as they prepare to compete against the world’s best teams on cricket’s biggest T20 stage.

Indian superstar Virat Kohli has overtaken Sri Lankan legend and current national head coach Sanath Jayasuriya in the list of most Player-of-the-Series awards in international cricket.

Kohli now moves to 12 series awards, surpassing Jayasuriya’s long-standing tally of 11, which placed the Sri Lankan great among the top performers in cricket history.

All-Time Most Player-of-the-Series Awards in International Cricket

• Sachin Tendulkar (India): 15 awards, 108 series, 1989–2012
• Virat Kohli (India): 12 awards, 76 series, 2008–2025
• Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka/Asia XI): 11 awards, 111 series, 1989–2011
• Shaun Pollock (South Africa/Africa XI/ICC): 9 awards, 60 series, 1996–2008
• Chris Gayle (West Indies/ICC): 8 awards, 71 series, 1999–2019

Despite being surpassed, Jayasuriya’s record — built across an illustrious career from 1989 to 2011 — remains a monumental achievement, highlighting his impact on world cricket as one of the most dominant all-round match-winners of his era.

Kohli’s latest milestone further strengthens his status as one of the modern game’s most consistent performers.