England lead Sri Lanka 1-0 with two to play as the teams head to Cardiff for the second T20 on Thursday.
This is a three match series with the final contest staged at Old Trafford Manchester on Saturday and next week we have 2 ODI’s to look forward to.
The series opener took place at Southampton on Tuesday, England started as short price favourites trading at around 3/10 to win the game and those odds were justified as the hosts came through with a 119 win in a most one sided contest.
Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl first and England piled on 254/4 with two men dominating, opener Joss Buttler (80 off44) and skipper Harry Brook (114 off 49). England hit 12 maximums Hasaranga (1 for 34) was the only Sri Lankan bowler to return an economy rate of less than 10 per over.
Sri Lanka were never in the chase and their top individual score of 33 came from Dunith Wellalage batting at No 8. Sonny Baker took 3 wickets at a cost of just 12 runs from his 4 overs and Sri Lanka were bowled out for 135 in 19 overs. The visitors did hit 7 maximums but England’s winning margin of 119 runs tells it’s own story.
This was how the teams lined up in Southampton on Tuesday.
England: Aneurin Donald, Jos Buttler (wk), Harry Brook (c), Tom Banton, Jordan Cox, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Josh Tongue, Sonny Baker, Adil Rashid
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara (wk), Lahiru Udara, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga
England Recent T20I form
England are in excellent recent form in this format with 8 wins, 1 defeat and 1 no-result in their last 10.
They 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 19 times with England winning 15 to Sri Lanka’s 4.
The Venue, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
The most recent T20 at this venue came in September 2025 and it saw South Africa 54/5 beat England 97/5 by 14 runs (DLS)
In September 2024 England (194/7) beat Australia (193/6) by 3 wickets with 6 balls remaining
Click here for the Cardiff weather forecast
The Betting
England are 2/13 to win the match and Sri Lanka can be backed at 9/2
The total match sixes line is under / over 15.5
The total match fours line is under / over 31.5
Prices subject to change
The Verdict
Betting wise the opening match went well for me as I took England total sixes over 7.5? yes at even money and a Top Batter Total over 69.5 at 17/20 which both came home lonely.
Looking at an unsettled weather forecast I’m more hesitant about where to go with this one, especially in terms of early plays and it’s also possible we might see a few changes to the line ups.
I do think the price for Dasun Shanaka to be the top Sri Lankan run scorer is worth a speculative interest at 15/2. Batting at 5 at Southampton he made the second highest score for the visitors of 24 and cleared the ropes a couple of times. For a top bowler interest I’m also sticking with Sri Lanka and Wanindu Hasaranga is a more obvious choice.
Bets: Top Sri Lanka run scorer Dasun Shanaka at 15/2 with Sportingbet
Top Sri Lanka bowler Wanindu Hasaranga at 27/10 with Sportingbet
Prices subject to change