ENG vs SL 1st ODI Playing 11: Harry Brook-led England will square off against Kusal Mendis-led Sri Lanka in the 1st ODI at Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street.
England secured a 3-0 win in the T20I series and will be aiming for the same success in the ODI series.
The cricketing sides have met on 82 occasions, where England have won on 40 occasions while Sri Lanka have 38 wins. One match ended in a tie while 3 games ended with no result.
England won the toss and opted to bat. Speaking at the toss, England captain Harry Brook said, “We’re going to have a bat. We (will) try and get a decent score on there and put them under pressure in the second half. Pitch looks a pretty good one, quite dry though.”
“It looks dry. We’ve had a warm summer, so they probably haven’t been able to get as much water on it as they would have liked. But we’ll see how it plays in the first half,” added Brook.
Ready to go in Durham 🙌
We win the toss and bat 🪙 pic.twitter.com/fjg0o91FfH
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 22, 2026
Speaking on today’s England playing 11, Brook said, ” We bring Gus Atkinson in, and Tom Banton’s opening the batting, Joe Root’s obviously back.”
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis said, “We wanted to bat first as well. (On bouncing back from the whitewash in T20Is) In one-day cricket, we have a very good balanced side. We did well in the last tournament. Very happy with my side, and I have confidence (in my team).
While speaking on today’s Sri Lanka cricket playing 11, Mendis said, “We are playing six batters and five bowlers.
2026 ENG vs SL 1st ODI Playing 11
England Playing 11: Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook(c), Jos Buttler(w), Will Jacks, Rehan Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue
Sri Lanka Playing 11: Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis(w/c), Pavan Rathnayake, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Sachindu Colombage, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka