England will launch Derbyshire batter Aneurin Donald in the opening T20 International against Sri Lanka in Southampton on Tuesday night, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The 29-year-old Welshman will open the batting with 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 tallied 489 runs, comprising four centuries, across 12 Vitality Blast matches this season, with his 37 sixes ranking as high as the tournament.
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-hand bat impressed in the Trent Rockets’ The Hundred camp, hitting 38 off 19 balls during their loss to Buttler’s Manchester Super Giants in the finals.
England manager Brendon McCullum confirmed that fast bowler Jofra Archer will remain out of the Utilita Bowl following his effort in the Test-series sweep over Pakistan.
Jofra Archer will be rested in Southampton after playing all three Tests against Pakistan
‘Donald has raw power and an incredible amount of talent’
On Donald, McCullum commented: “Aneurin 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 holds the second-lowest T20 strike-rate since 2024, accumulating a 215.70 average across 48 innings. Only teenage Indian sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi leads this statistic with 216.30 in just 40 appearances.
“He possesses a style where he can begin play immediately, resembling Salty well. This player brings significant power and untamed talent.”
“I relish anticipating how he performs on the major stage. I’m certain him and Jos will form a formidable combination.”
Brendon McCullum says Derbyshire batter Donald has ‘raw power’
Donald and Buttler anchor the top six alongside captain Harry Brook, Tom Banton, Jordan Cox and Will Jacks. All-rounder Jamie Overton and Liam Dawson occupy No.7 and No.8, supported by seamers Josh Tongue and Sonny Baker and spinner Adil Rashid.
Jacob Bethell (knee) and Sam Curran (groin) miss the series through injury.
McCullum expects Tongue, who matched Archer’s performances in the previous three Tests against Pakistan, to require a rest in Thursday’s Cardiff encounter.
The concluding T20 takes place 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.
Watch England’s white-ball contests versus Sri Lanka live on Sky Sports Cricket, commencing with the opening T20 at the Utilita Bowl on Tuesday (6:00 pm transmission).
England vs Sri Lanka schedule
Kick-off times (UTC) – All venues listed;
- First T20 (Tuesday September 15) – Southampton (18:30 GMT)
- Second T20 (Thursday September 17) – Cardiff (18:30 GMT)
- Third T20 (Saturday September 19) – Old Trafford (14:30 GMT)
- First ODI (Tuesday September 22) – Durham (12:30 GMT)
- Second ODI (Thursday September 24) – Headingley (12:30 GMT)
- Third ODI (Sunday September 27) – The Kia Oval (10:30 BST)
