Harry Brook Captains England in T20Is and ODIs Against Sri Lanka
England’s latest white-ball chapter will open with a fresh script and a new leading man. Harry Brook has been asked to captain his country in both T20Is and ODIs against Sri Lanka, fronting two squads that blend hardened names with genuine bolters.
On the other side, Sri Lanka arrive reshaped and slightly bruised, with Charith Asalanka stepping up to lead the T20I side in the absence of the injured Kusal Mendis.
Brook takes the reins, Donald and Crocombe get their break
Brook, long tipped as a cornerstone of England’s future, now has the armband in both formats for a six-match tour that starts with T20Is in Southampton, Cardiff and Manchester before moving into ODIs in Chester-le-Street, Leeds and at The Oval.
Around him, England have quietly redrawn the edges of their white-ball pool.
Aneurin Donald, the aggressive Derbyshire opener, has earned a maiden international call-up in the T20I squad after a prolific domestic season that England’s selectors simply could not ignore. His inclusion adds another fearless top-order option to a group already stacked with intent in Tom Banton, Will Jacks and Ben Duckett.
The ODI group carries its own new face. Sussex seamer Henry Crocombe has been rewarded for an eye-catching summer with his first England nod, joining a pace unit that suddenly looks deep and varied. For a bowler used to grinding away on the county circuit, this is a sharp step into the spotlight.
There is experience, too, and plenty of it. Jos Buttler, Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson are named in both squads, while Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson provide high-octane pace in each format. Josh Tongue and Sonny Baker add further fast-bowling options, with Rehan Ahmed’s leg-spin strengthening the ODI group.
One of the most significant returns belongs to Jamie Overton. The all-rounder has been picked in both T20I and ODI squads after recovering from the thigh injury that ruled him out of England’s white-ball clashes with India earlier in the summer. His pace and late-order power offer Brook a valuable dual threat.
Not everyone is available. Phil Salt, a fixture at the top of England’s white-ball order in recent months, misses the series with a right quad injury. Jacob Bethell remains sidelined as he continues his comeback from knee surgery, leaving England to reshuffle some of their batting and all-round options.
England T20I squad: 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.
England ODI squad: Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Sonny Baker, Jos Buttler, Jordan Cox, Henry Crocombe, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Josh Tongue.
Brook will lean on Root’s presence in the ODI group, a steadying influence in a side otherwise heavy with players still cementing their international identities.
Sri Lanka reshuffle as Asalanka steps up
Sri Lanka arrive in England with their own change at the top. Kusal Mendis, the regular T20I captain, has been ruled out of the series with a hamstring injury suffered during the Lanka Premier League in July, an issue that also kept him out of the recent Test series against India.
Into the void steps Charith Asalanka. The left-hander not only captains the T20I side but also returns to the format after being dropped for Sri Lanka’s tour of the West Indies in June. Now he has both the armband and a point to prove.
The visitors have been forced into further adjustments. Pavan Rathnayake comes in as Mendis’ replacement, while left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka joins the squad in place of Binura Fernando, who misses the tour with a back injury.
Despite the setbacks, this is no makeshift side. Pathum Nissanka anchors the top order, with Kamil Mishara, Lahiru Udara and Kamindu Mendis offering flexibility around him. Dasun Shanaka adds power and experience in the middle, while Dunith Wellalage provides a modern all-round option.
The real teeth, as so often with Sri Lanka, lie in the spin and the variety of their attack. Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana headline a dangerous slow-bowling unit, with Tharindu Rathnayake in support. Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara bring pace, Eshan Malinga adds seam, and Madushanka’s left-arm angle rounds out a well-balanced attack.
Sri Lanka T20I squad: Charith Asalanka (c), 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.
Six games, two captains with something to prove
The tour opens with T20Is in Southampton on 15 September, Cardiff on 17 September and Manchester on 19 September. The sides then switch to 50-over cricket, starting at Chester-le-Street on 22 September, before heading to Leeds on 24 September and finishing at The Oval on 27 September.
For England, this is a chance to test the next wave under a new white-ball leader. For Sri Lanka, it is an opportunity to see whether Asalanka can carry both bat and burden in English conditions.
By the end of six games, both boards will know a little more about their future – and a lot more about who is ready to live in it.
