England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have announced a white ball chain against Sri Lanka for January-February. England will visit Sri Lanka for limited overs fixtures as preparations for ICC World Cup 2026, which will be played in India and Sri Lanka from February to March 2026.
The winners of the T20 World Cup in England, 2010 and 2022 failed to move forward in the final in the final editions held in the West Indies and USA. Under the leadership of Ben Stokes, England recently played a five -match Test series against India. Anderson-Tendulkar between England and India ended in a 2025 series 2–2 draw.
England and Wales Cricket Board announced the white-ball series against Sri Lanka
The ECB confirmed that England would travel to Sri Lanka earlier next year for a limited overs series in the preparation of the 2026 T20 World Cup. According to the statement, the tour will begin with three ODIs from 22 to 27 January, followed by a three -match T20I series between 30 January and 3 February.
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However, the ECB said that the Sri Lanka Cricket Board would announce Venue. Both teams are expected to gain valuable experience from the series before the World Cup.
The statement said, “England’s men will visit Sri Lanka for a series of two white balls before the men’s T20 World Cup in early 2026.”
“The one -day international series of three matches will begin on Thursday 22 January and end on Tuesday 27 January. The three -match IT20 series will begin on Friday 30 January before ending Tuesday 3 February.”
“Each match places are to be confirmed by Sri Lanka Cricket.”
England will get valuable preparations for Indian conditions by playing in Sri Lanka, as the two countries provide equal pitch behavior. Unlike England, where seam bowlers are often dominated, the Asian surface spinners side by side.
England’s men’s tour Sri Lanka 2026
| match | date | venue |
|---|---|---|
| First odi | Thursday, January 22 | TBC |
| Second Odi | Saturday, 24 January | TBC |
| Third Odi | Tuesday, 27 January | TBC |
| 1 T20 Eye | Friday, 30 January | TBC |
| Second t20i | Sunday, 1 February | TBC |
| 3 T20 Eye | Tuesday, 3 February | TBC |
England to face South Africa and Ireland in the next white-ball series
England will have a busy white ball schedule in this September, which will begin with six domestic games against South Africa. The ODI leg hosts the remaining matches with Lords (4 September) and Rose Bowl (7 September) on 2 September.
According to the schedule, the T20I series will begin in Cardiff before going to Manchester (12 September) and Nottingham (14 September) in Cardiff on 10 September.
Harry Brook, who took over as the captain of England’s limited overs earlier this year after the Champions Trophy 2025, will be a pioneer against Proteas. However, they will be rested for the latter T20I series in Ireland.
In Brooke’s absence, 21 -year -old Jacob Bethel will step as captain. He made history as the captain of England’s youngest men, crossing Monty Boden, who first kept a record in 23 years and 144 days during a test against South Africa in the 1888/89 season.
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