SL vs ENG Stats Preview- 1st ODI, England tour of Sri Lanka 2026

SL vs ENG Stats Preview. [Source - AFP]

Sri Lanka and England will take on each other in the first ODI of the three-match series on Thursday, January 22nd. The thrilling encounter will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and is scheduled to begin at 2:30 PM IST.

SL vs ENG 1st ODI preview, 2026

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka remain a formidable force in ODIs at home, where conditions suit their strengths. Led by Charith Asalanka, they combine experience with fresh faces, making them a tough opponent. Playing in familiar conditions, the hosts will aim to show dominance against England.

England

England enter the first ODI against Sri Lanka seeking a fresh start after mixed recent returns. Despite limited success, they arrive with renewed intent under a young skipper Harry Brook, boasting a strong blend of youth and experience, firepower across departments, ready to challenge the Lankans.

Top run scorers in SL vs ENG ODIs

We are considering only the players from the current squad.

Joe Root - 1178 runs

Joe Root tops the Sri Lanka vs England ODI charts with 1178 runs at a superb 62 average, featuring two centuries and nine fifties.

Jos Buttler - 582 runs

Jos Buttler has amassed 582 runs at a blistering 120.49 strike rate, including one century and three half-centuries in this fixture.

Kusal Mendis - 287 runs

Kusal Mendis has scored 287 runs in this fixture at an average of 28.7, with three half-centuries to his name.

Top wicket-takers in SL vs ENG ODIs

We are considering only the players from the current squad.

Adil Rashid - 15 wickets

Adil Rashid tops the Sri Lanka vs England ODI wicket charts with 15 wickets from 14 innings at an average of 38.73.

Sam Curran - 5 wickets

Sam Curran has taken five wickets in four appearances in this fixture, averaging 33.8.

Dhananjaya de Silva - 5 wickets

Dhananjaya de Silva has picked up five wickets in seven innings at an impressive average of 26.

SL vs ENG key stats

Sri Lanka key records

• Sri Lanka has won 4 of their last 5 ODIs at R. Premadasa Stadium.
• Kusal Mendis in ODIs at R. Premadasa Stadium - 1122 runs, 51 average, 1 100 and 10 50s.
• Charith Asalanka in ODIs at R. Premadasa Stadium - 1008 runs, 53.05 average, 4 centuries and 4 50s.
• Wanindu Hasaranga has 31 wickets at 18.12 average in 15 ODIs at R. Premadasa Stadium.
• Dunith Wellalage is the only bowler to have 2 ODI 5-wicket hauls in R. Premadasa Stadium - 25 wickets and 17.88 average.
• Asitha Fernando was the best ODI powerplay bowler in 2025 - 15 wickets, 16.40 average and 18.80 strike-rate.

England key records

• Joe Root was the world's highest ODI run-scorer in 2025 - 808 runs, 57.71 average, 3 100s and 4 50s.
• Adil Rashid was England's highest wicket-taker in ODIs in 2025 - 30 wickets, 23.63 average and 24.1 strike-rate.
• England has won 3 of their last 5 ODIs in Sri Lanka.
• England have won only 2 of the 12 ODIs they have played at R. Premadasa Stadium.
• Joe Root vs Sri Lanka in ODIs in Sri Lanka - 513 runs, 64.12 average, 1 100 and 3 50s.
• Ben Duckett was the most successful opener inside powerplay in ODIs in 2025 - 323 runs, 35.89 average and 108.03 strike-rate.

SL vs ENG key records which could be broken in 1st ODI, 2026

• Charith Asalanka is one century away from having the most number of ODI centuries in R. Premadasa Stadium.
• Charith Asalanka is also one century away from having the highest ODI centuries in Sri Lanka as a middle-order batter.
• Harry Brook is 4 sixes away from 50 ODI sixes to his name.
• Joe Root is 5 boundaries away from becoming the first England batter to hit 600 fours in ODIs.
• Joe Root needs 73 runs to surpass Kevin Pietersen as highest ODI runscorer in Asia for England.