England and Sri Lanka play the second Super 8 fixture of the T20 World Cup 2026, in Pallekele on Sunday. It is a match up of teams who did fairly well, but with a few players misfiring or getting injured. But now, with the business end of the tournament coming, neither the hosts, nor the English team can afford any slip ups.
And the process starts from selecting the perfect XI for the encounter. So, Insideport takes a look at the Predicted playing XI for England.
Give Ben Duckett a chance
So far, the England top order hasn’t enjoyed much success. Buttler has scored 50-odd runs in the entire tournament, while Salt hasn’t done any better. Perhaps it is time to give Duckett a go. He might just get the job done for his team. Bethell has the looked most sorted in the top 3 until now.
Middle-order remains same
There isn’t much need to fiddle with the middle order. Tom Banton got 63 vs Scotland, Brook had a fifty against Nepal in the first match, a face-saving one. Sam Curran and Will Jacks can do the job lower down the order.
Spin option should be considered
Since they would be playing in Sri Lanka, it would only be wise, it Rehan Ahmed is picked in the XI, in place of Luke Wood/Jamie Overton. He can be a good addition along with Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson, while Jacks can come in with his off-spinners as well, completing their spin attack.
Predicted England XI vs Sri Lanka
Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler(w), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook(c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Rehan Ahmed.
