England Predicted Playing XI vs Sri Lanka- 2nd ODI, SL tour of ENG 2026

England will face Sri Lanka in the 2nd ODI on September 24 [Source: AFP]England will take on Sri Lanka in the second ODI of the three-match series at Leeds on September 24 at 5 PM (IST), having already taken a 1-0 lead in the series.In the first ODI in Chester-le-Street, England’s middle-order averted a collapse and took the team to a competitive 265-run total in the first innings. It was followed by a brilliant 5/22 spell from Will Jacks, ripping through the visitors to clinch a comfortable 89-run win.As England looks to seal the series in the second ODI, we take a look at their predicted playing XI for the fixture.Top Order: Ben Duckett, Tom Banton, Joe RootBen Duckett is a nailed-on first-choice opener in England’s ODI XI. He has remained consistent throughout his 38-match ODI career, averaging 42,18 and striking close to 100. In the first ODI, he scored a brisk 32 (29) and also had a little partnership with Joe Root.On the other end, there has been a lot of shuffling from the England board. Tom Banton scored 10(12) in the series opener after an underwhelming T20I series, as Duckett’s 6th partner since January 2025. While Jordan Cox remains an option on the bench, Banton is likely to get a few matches at the top.England’s all-time leading ODI run-scorer, Joe Root, completed 23000 international runs in the last match with his 44(52). He is also approaching the 8000-run mark in the format, averaging 51.10. He remains another sure-shot starter of this lineup.Also Read: Meet Sachindu Colombage, Sri Lanka's New Hero Who Took Joe Root's Wicket On DebutMiddle Order and Allrounders: Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Will Jacks, Rehan Ahmed, Jamie OvertonCaptain Harry Brook is one of their x-factor batter across formats and will bat at the all-important number 4 position in the middle overs. He scores at a fast pace and has the ability to run away with the match single-handedly. In the first ODI, he got 67(69) as England’s top scorer.The experienced Jos Buttler will keep wickets and handle the second half of the innings with the bat. He has been one of the most prolific white-ball batters over the last decade and has a career strike rate of 115.29 for 5609 runs.First ODI Player of the Match, Will Jacks scored 46*(47) and picked his first ODI five-fer to help the team win the match by 89 runs. Recently, he has switched from being an opener to a finisher and has fit into the position perfectly, also providing his off-spin bowling.Rehan Ahmed is the lead spin bowler in Adil Rashid’s absence and picked 1/46 (7) in the first ODI. He is more than capable of batting at 7 and adding quick runs and was also used as an opener in a few matches in their quest to find the second opener.Jamie Overton will slot in at number 8, having picked 2/21 in 5 overs of the last ODI. He can operate with the ball across phases, especially as a middle-overs enforcer and score brisk runs at the end of the innings. He has the ability to be used as a floater as well.Bowlers: Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Josh TongueThe opening bowling department will be handled by Gus Atkinson at one end. He can bowl economical overs and build pressure on the batters early on in the innings, which also helps the bowlers at the other end. He got 1/25 (7) and also added a valuable 14(20) with the bat.England’s lead pacer, as in the other formats, is Jofra Archer, who will accompany Atkinson in the powerplay and operate in the death overs as well as their express-pace strike bowler. He is another player in their team who can swing the long handle and chip in with boundaries late in the innings.Josh Tongue will complete the hosts’ playing XI with his hit-the-deck bowling. Sometimes his economy rate can look high, but his wicket-taking ability compensates for it. His skills are predominantly valuable in the middle overs, where he can rip through the middle order.England’s Playing XI vs Sri Lanka- 2nd ODI, 2026Ben Duckett, Tom Banton, Joe Root, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Will Jacks, Rehan Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue.Also Read: Australia Predicted Playing XI vs South Africa- 1st ODI, 2026