Skip to content

England vs Sri Lanka: Aneurin Donald handed T20 debut for series opener in Southampton on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports

Jofra Archer rested at Utilita Bowl after playing all three Tests vs Pakistan; coach Brendon McCullum excited by Aneurin Donald's "raw power" with batter to open alongside Jos Buttler; watch first T20 live on Sky Sports Cricket from 6pm Tuesday (6.30pm first ball)

Aneurin Donald will make his England debut in the first T20 international against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports
Image: Aneurin Donald will make his England debut in the first T20 international against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports

England will hand a T20 international debut to Derbyshire batter Aneurin Donald in the series opener against Sri Lanka in Southampton on Tuesday night, live on Sky Sports.

The 29-year-old Welshman will partner Jos Buttler at the top of the order for a game that starts at 6.30pm UK time, with Phil Salt sitting out the three-match assignment due to a quad issue.

Donald thumped 489 runs, including four fifties, across 12 Vitality Blast matches this season, with his 37 sixes a tournament high.

England XI for first T20 vs Sri Lanka

Aneurin Donald, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook (captain), Tom Banton, Jordan Cox, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Josh Tongue, Sonny Baker, Adil Rashid.

The right-hander, who formerly played for Glamorgan and Hampshire, then impressed for Trent Rockets in The Hundred, including smoking 38 from 19 balls in the defeat to Buttler's Manchester Super Giants in the final at Lord's in August.

England coach Brendon McCullum also confirmed fast bowler Jofra Archer will be rested at the Utilita Bowl after his exertions in the Test series sweep over Pakistan, which concluded on Saturday.

'Donald has raw power and an incredible amount of talent'

On Donald - the first homegrown Glamorgan international since 2005 Ashes hero Simon Jones - McCullum said: "Anerurin will open the batting with Jos, which is very exciting. He is a cricketer that has been on our radar for quite some time.

Why England like the look of Donald

According to Cricinfo, Aneurin Donald has the second-highest strike-rate in T20s since 2024, scoring at 215.70 in his 48 innings. Only teenage Indian sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (216.30 in 40 innings) tops that.

"He has a game where he can go from ball one, which is probably quite similar to Salty. He has got raw power and an incredible amount of talent.

"I am looking forward to seeing how he goes on the big stage. I am sure him and Jos will be a nice combination."

Donald and Buttler are joined in the top six by captain Harry Brook, Tom Banton, Jordan Cox and Will Jacks, with all-rounders Jamie Overton and Liam Dawson at Nos 7 and 8 respectively ahead of seamers Josh Tongue and Sonny Baker and spinner Adil Rashid.

Batter and spin option Jacob Bethell (knee) and seam-bowling all-rounder Sam Curran (groin) are missing the series through injury.

England's Jacob Bethell is missing the rest of the home summer with a knee injury
Image: England's Jacob Bethell is missing the rest of the home summer with a knee injury

McCullum said Tongue who, like Archer, played in all three Test match wins over Pakistan, is likely to be given a breather in the second game in Cardiff on Thursday.

The New Zealander said: "We are trying to be smart around player management. Appreciative that they have had a fair schedule while trying to make sure we have our best team out there."

The final T20 is at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday before England and Sri Lanka contest three one-day internationals, starting in Durham on Tuesday September 22.

Jofra Archer will be rested in Southampton after playing all three Tests against Pakistan
Image: Jofra Archer will be rested in Southampton after playing all three Tests against Pakistan

McCullum on Carse incident: 'Playing for England comes with responsibility'

Fast bowler Brydon Carse is not included in the squad after an episode outside a nightclub in August, which came after he and his Durham team-mates had headed out to celebrate a County Championship victory away to Derbyshire.

The Cricket Regulator has launched an investigation, while Derbyshire police are also looking into an allegation of assault in connection with that incident.

No charges have been brought and the investigation is ongoing.

English cricket has been hit by a number of off-field misdemeanours over the last year or so, including white-ball captain Harry Brook being struck by a bouncer after venturing out the night before a one-day international in New Zealand.

Brydon Carse has not been selected for England since a nightclub incident in Derby
Image: Brydon Carse has not been selected for England since a nightclub incident in Derby

McCullum said of Carse, who was also omitted from recent Test squads: "I have spoken to [Brydon] a lot.

"We know he is an excellent cricketer who has done well for England. This is a chance for him to get his house in order and push for selection when the next opportunity arises.

"The message is the same to those in the squad but also those with aspirations of representing England in white-ball cricket: that it comes with responsibility.

Brendon McCullum's England side play Sri Lanka in three T20s and as many ODIs, all live on Sky Sports
Image: Brendon McCullum's England side play Sri Lanka in three T20s and as many ODIs, all live on Sky Sports

"I want us to become the fittest, strongest, most robust, most dynamic one-day and T20 side in the world.

"That comes with commitment to training and the high-octane style we want to play but responsibilities off the field as well to make sure you look after yourself.

"You need to make good decisions socially to allow you to be the best version of yourself. I hope it is crystal clear what is expected.

"There is a lot of talent around so if you are not prepared to do that then other guys will get those opportunities."

Watch England's white-ball games versus Sri Lanka live on Sky Sports Cricket, starting with the first T20 international at the Utilita Bowl on Tuesday (6pm on air, 6.30pm start). Latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract on NOW.

England vs Sri Lanka schedule

All times UK and Ireland; all games live on Sky Sports

  • First T20 (Tuesday September 15) - Southampton (6.30pm)
  • Second T20 (Thursday September 17) - Cardiff (6.30pm)
  • Third T20 (Saturday September 19) - Old Trafford (2.30pm)
  • First ODI (Tuesday September 22) - Durham (12.30pm)
  • Second ODI (Thursday September 24) - Headingley (12.30pm)
  • Third ODI (Sunday September 27) - The Kia Oval (10.30am)

Sky Data Layer Viewer