Star cricketer return in playing 11 after 776 days ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Keeping in mind the preparations just before the T20 World Cup 2026, the England team has reached Sri Lanka on a tour, where it will play a three-match ODI series against the host team from January 22, after which it will also play a three-match T20 series from January 30.

Star batter make a return in England’s ODI set-up

All three matches of the ODI series between the two teams will be played at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, in which England has announced its playing-11 for the first match, in which opening batsman Jack Crowley has returned after a long gap of 776 days. Host Sri Lanka has also announced its squad just a day before the start of the ODI series.

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Talking about England’s playing 11 for the first ODI against Sri Lanka, Ben Duckett will be seen opening the innings with Jack Crowley, while in the middle order, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, captain Harry Brook, and Jos Buttler have been given the responsibility. In this match, England has decided to include two major spin bowlers in its playing 11 keeping in mind the Sri Lankan pitches, in which they have given a chance to Liam Dawson apart from Adil Rashid, apart from this, spin all-rounder Will Jacks will also be there to support them.

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England’s playing 11 for the first ODI against Sri Lanka

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brooke (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid.

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Just a day before the start of the three-match ODI series against England, Sri Lanka Cricket has announced its squad, with Charith Asalanka once again assuming the captaincy. Kusal Mendis, Kamendu Mendis, and Wanindu Hasaranga have also been included in the squad. A strong performance from all of them ahead of the T20 World Cup is crucial for the Sri Lankan team.

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Sri Lanka’s squad for the ODI series against England

Charith Asalanka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Sadira Samarawickrama, Pawan Ratnayake, Dhananjay de Silva, Zenith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Vellage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jeffrey Wandersay, Mahish Tikhina, Milan Ratnayake, Asitha Fernando, Pramod Madushan, Ishan Malinga.