England Seek Redemption as ODI Series Against Sri Lanka Begins in Colombo

COLOMBO, 22 January 2026 – A wounded England side begins a critical white-ball tour of Sri Lanka today, with a three-match ODI series that carries significant weight beyond the 50-over format. The tour, which also includes three T20Is, serves as vital preparation for next month’s T20 World Cup but arrives in the shadow of a bruising Ashes defeat and off-field controversies that have plagued the English camp.

Series Context: More Than Just Warm-Ups

What was intended as a straightforward warm-up series has taken on greater significance for England following their 4-1 Ashes loss in Australia. Questions over preparation, professionalism, and team culture have followed the squad to Sri Lanka, placing captain Harry Brook under intense scrutiny. For the hosts, led by Charith Asalanka, the series represents a chance to solidify their top-five ODI ranking and build confidence with a home World Cup on the horizon. Both teams are using the matches to finetune combinations ahead of the global T20 tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February.

Team News and Key Changes

England have named their XI a day in advance, featuring a notable return for opener Zak Crawley. Crawley last played an ODI in December 2023 and replaces the dropped Jamie Smith at the top of the order. The lineup bears a strong resemblance to the recent Test side, with six of the top seven having featured in the Sydney Ashes Test earlier this month. Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler is the notable exception from that red-ball group.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, welcome back allrounder Dhananjaya de Silva to their ODI squad for the first time since the 2023 World Cup. They will be without key seamer Dushmantha Chameera, who is being rested for the heavy T20 schedule ahead. The hosts boast a potent spin attack featuring Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Dunith Wellalage, which they will hope to exploit on a Colombo pitch that traditionally favours slow bowlers.

Captains in the Spotlight

The focus in the lead-up has been firmly on the two young captains. Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka, recently sacked from the T20I leadership, is focused on rebuilding. “I’m just focusing on my game, to develop as a batsman, and win games for my country,” Asalanka stated, acknowledging a lean couple of months with the bat.

For England’s Harry Brook, the narrative has been dominated by an apology. The captain addressed the media to express regret over a late-night incident in Wellington during England’s tour of New Zealand, where he was involved in an altercation with a nightclub bouncer. Brook was fined and warned by the ECB, and admitted he came close to losing the captaincy. “I want to say sorry to my team-mates, to all the fans… it’ll never happen again,” Brook said, adding that he needs to “regain the trust of the players.”

Key Facts & Match Details

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of this series for the T20 World Cup?

While the format is different, the subcontinent conditions in Colombo are invaluable for both teams’ World Cup preparation. It allows players to adjust to heat, humidity, and spinning pitches, and for management to assess squad depth and form under pressure.

Why is Harry Brook’s captaincy under pressure?

Brook’s leadership is under scrutiny due to England’s poor recent ODI form and the off-field incident in New Zealand. As the newly appointed white-ball captain, his ability to manage the team’s culture and focus after a difficult Ashes tour is being closely watched.

Can England improve their ODI ranking?

Yes. England are currently eighth, and a strong series win could help them gain crucial ranking points. Automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup is granted to the top nine ranked teams (plus hosts), so maintaining a position inside that bracket is a key medium-term objective.