Sri Lanka are in England for a tour which comprises of three T20’s and three ODI’s, the 20 over games are first and Southampton hosts the series opener on Tuesday.
Let’s begin with the squads.
England: Harry Brook (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jos Buttler, James Coles, Jordan Cox, Liam Dawson, Aneurin Donald, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue
Sri Lanka: Charith Asalanka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Lahiru Udara, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Tharindu Rathnayake, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Nuwan Thushara, Pavan Rathnayake, Dilshan Madushanka.
England Recent T20I form
England hosted India in a 5 match series in July this year, the opening match was washed out and England won each the next 4 by margins of 4 wickets, 125 runs, 9 wickets and 56 runs
Sri Lanka Recent T20I form
Sri Lanka have just played two warm up matches against England Lions and they lost both games by 9 wickets although the second contest was affected by rain.
They played 3 T20’s in the West Indes in June this year. The lost the first game by 7 wickets, won the second by 37 runs and West Indies won the decider by 5 wickets
Head to Head
The teams have played 18 times with England winning 14 to Sri Lanka’s 4.
Sri Lanka lost to England by 51 runs in the Super 8’s at the T20 World Cup in Pallekele in February this year
The Venue, Southampton
England make 257/3 against India at this venue in July this year, their highest T20I total against India who were then restricted to 201/8.
In June 2025 England (248/3) beat West Indies (211/8) by 37 runs
England and Sri Lanka met here in June 2021 and England (180/6) beat Sri Lanka (91) by 89 runs
Click here for the Southampton weather forecast
The Betting
England are 3/10 to win the match and Sri Lanka can be backed at 26/10
Prices subject to change
The Verdict
It’s hard to argue against England on recent form although I certainly won’t be getting involved in the match result market at that price.
We have seen a couple of very big England scores at this venue recently and with that in mind I’ll go high on England total sixes and the match top individual score.
Bets: England total sixes over 7.5? yes at even money with Hollywoodbets
Top Batter Total over 69.5 at 17/20 Hollywoodbets
Prices subject to change
