England have confirmed their playing combination for the opening T20I against Sri Lanka, with fast bowler Jofra Archer making his return to international cricket after recovering from injury. The first match of the three-game series will be played in Kandy on Friday, marking an important step in England’s preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Archer had been sidelined in recent months due to a side strain and was absent from the latter part of England’s previous red-ball assignment. Although his comeback was initially expected to come later in the year, the team management has opted to bring him back earlier as part of their white-ball planning. His inclusion strengthens England’s pace attack, adding both speed and experience to the bowling unit.
The visitors will, however, be without Ben Duckett for the series opener. The batter picked up a finger injury during the final ODI in Colombo earlier this week and has been left out as a precautionary measure. Duckett has not featured regularly in England’s T20 plans in recent months, and the management is keen to ensure he is fully fit before returning to action.
Jos Buttler is set to open the innings, continuing his role at the top of the order, while Harry Brook will lead the side. England’s middle order features a blend of aggressive stroke-makers and adaptable all-rounders, a structure the team believes will suit conditions in Sri Lanka. Spin options remain a key part of the XI, reflecting England’s focus on balance ahead of major tournaments in the subcontinent.
The England camp has stressed the importance of building momentum through this series. With the T20 World Cup drawing closer, performances away from home are being viewed as vital opportunities to fine-tune combinations and assess player readiness. The opening match against Sri Lanka is expected to provide a competitive test against a side known for exploiting home conditions effectively.
England Playing XI for 1st T20I vs Sri Lanka:
Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid
