England will take on Sri Lanka in the first ODI of the three-match series at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street on Tuesday, September 22. The hosts enter the series with plenty of confidence after completing a 3-0 T20I sweep over Sri Lanka.
England dominated the T20I series, winning the opening match by 119 runs before securing six-wicket and eight-wicket victories in the next two games. Harry Brook was named Player of the Series after scoring 170 runs across the three matches.
Sri Lanka will now look for a fresh start in the 50-over format. Kusal Mendis will captain the visitors, while Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis and Wanindu Hasaranga provide experience throughout the batting and bowling departments.
Match details
Match: England vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI
Venue: Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street
Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Time: 12:30 PM local time / 5:00 PM IST
Series: Sri Lanka tour of England 2026
The ODI series will continue at Headingley on September 24 before concluding at The Oval on September 27.
Team overviews
England enter the ODI series on the back of a dominant T20I campaign. Their batting lineup produced big totals throughout the shorter format, while their bowling attack consistently kept Sri Lanka under pressure.
Harry Brook will continue to lead the side in the 50-over format, with Joe Root and Jos Buttler adding considerable experience to the top and middle order. Tom Banton has also been handed an opportunity at the top of the order, while Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed provide additional options with both bat and ball.
England will, however, miss Adil Rashid in the opening ODI because of a hand injury sustained during the T20I series. Rehan Ahmed comes into the XI as his replacement.
Sri Lanka will hope the change from T20Is to ODIs allows them to produce a stronger performance. Kusal Mendis leads the side, with Pathum Nissanka expected to provide aggression at the top of the order.
Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis and Dasun Shanaka add experience to the middle order, while Wanindu Hasaranga and Dunith Wellalage give Sri Lanka useful all-round options. Their bowling attack includes Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka.
Key players
Harry Brook: Brook was England’s standout batter during the T20I series, scoring 170 runs in three matches. His unbeaten 114 in the opening game set the tone for England’s dominant campaign. He will now look to carry that form into the ODI series.
Joe Root: Root brings considerable ODI experience to England’s middle order. He recently passed 23,000 international runs and will be an important figure as England switch from the aggressive tempo of T20 cricket to the longer 50-over format.
Pathum Nissanka: Nissanka remains one of Sri Lanka’s most important batting options at the top of the order. His ability to score quickly during the powerplay could be crucial against England’s pace attack.
Wanindu Hasaranga: Hasaranga gives Sri Lanka an important spin-bowling option while also providing depth with the bat. His ability to take wickets through the middle overs could play a significant role against England’s aggressive batting lineup.
Head-to-head record
England and Sri Lanka have a closely contested ODI history, although England hold a narrow advantage overall.
- Matches played: 79
- England wins: 38
- Sri Lanka wins: 37
- Ties: 1
- No results: 3
The two sides last met in an ODI in January 2026, when Sri Lanka secured a 19-run victory in Colombo.
Pitch report
The Riverside Ground generally offers a good contest between bat and ball. The new ball can provide movement for seamers, particularly in the early overs, while batters can score freely once they settle at the crease.
The surface can offer good carry, making disciplined pace bowling important during the powerplay. Spinners could become more influential as the innings progresses, particularly if the pitch begins to slow down.
Probable match scenarios
Scenario 1: England bat first
England will look to make full use of the powerplay before building a strong platform through Root and Brook. With Buttler, Jacks and Overton available in the middle and lower order, England have plenty of batting depth.
A total around or above 300 would give the hosts a strong position, particularly if their seamers can exploit the conditions with the new ball.
Scenario 2: Sri Lanka bat first
Sri Lanka’s top order will need to absorb the initial pressure before accelerating through the middle and death overs. Nissanka and Kusal Mendis could play important roles in establishing the innings, while Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis will need to provide stability.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers will then have to make early breakthroughs to prevent England’s powerful batting lineup from taking control.
Probable playing XIs
England
- Tom Banton
- Ben Duckett
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook (c)
- Jos Buttler (wk)
- Will Jacks
- Rehan Ahmed
- Jamie Overton
- Gus Atkinson
- Jofra Archer
- Josh Tongue
This is England’s confirmed XI for the first ODI.
Sri Lanka
- Pathum Nissanka
- Kamil Mishara
- Kusal Mendis (c & wk)
- Charith Asalanka
- Kamindu Mendis
- Janith Liyanage
- Dasun Shanaka
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Dunith Wellalage
- Dushmantha Chameera
- Dilshan Madushanka
Sri Lanka’s ODI squad also includes Pavan Rathnayake, Maheesh Theekshana, Sachindu Colombage, Eshan Malinga and Asitha Fernando, so the final combination can vary.
Live streaming and broadcast
India: FanCode and Sony Sports Network
Pakistan: Check local broadcaster listings
UK: Check local England cricket broadcast listings
The match is scheduled for 12:30 PM local time in England and 5:00 PM IST.
Match prediction
England enter the ODI series with significant momentum after their 3-0 T20I sweep. Brook, Buttler and Root give them an experienced batting core, while Archer, Atkinson and Tongue provide a strong pace combination.
Sri Lanka have enough quality to challenge England, particularly through Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Asalanka and Hasaranga. However, they will need a considerably more disciplined performance than they produced during the T20I series.
England’s recent form and home conditions give them the advantage heading into the opening ODI.
Prediction: England to win.
