England Predicted Playing XI vs Sri Lanka- 3rd T20I, SL Tour of ENG 2026

England cricket - (Source: AFP)On Saturday, September 19, England and Sri Lanka will lock horns for the 3rd and final T20I of the series. It will be a dead-rubber fixture because the Harry Brook-led side have already clinched the series 2-0. The skipper is leading from the front as he has already amassed 137 runs in 2 innings, averaging 137. The caravan will move to Old Trafford Stadium in Stretford, which will host the 3rd T20I. England will play to clean sweep the visitors, while Sri Lanka have the chance to restore their pride. Talking about the 2nd T20I, Sri Lanka, batting first, could only score 145 runs on the board.In reply, England chased down the target comfortably in the 13th over. Now, ahead of the 3rd game, both teams will look to change their combination. For England, they too can test their bench strength, which is why this article will shed light on England’s predicted playing XI for 3rd T20I vs Sri Lanka.Openers and Top Order: Jos Buttler (WK), Aneurin Donald, Harry Brook (C), Tom BantonEngland are likely to go ahead with the same top-order, one without Ben Duckett. The Three Lions will continue to entrust Aneurin Donald, who has been opening the innings with Jos Buttler.Jos Buttler scored a brilliant 80 in the 1st T20I, followed by a 30-run innings. Donald is yet to click and has just scored 33 runs in two innings. He also completed 15000 T20 runs.Harry Brook has been leading by example and, as mentioned above, he is the leading run-getter with 137 runs in 2 innings. The right-handed batter is the leading run-getter of the series and smashed a century in the 1st match.Tom Banton was the star with the bat in the 2nd T20I as he slammed an unbeaten 52 (24), which featured two fours and four sixes.Middle Order And All-Rounders: James Coles, Jordan Cox, Jamie Overton, Liam DawsonIn the middle-order, England can go for one change, which is handing a debut to James Coles. The 22-year-old all-rounder sat on the bench for the first two matches and can replace Will Jacks for the 3rd T20I.England can look to manage Jacks as he has already played two matches, scoring 24 runs and picking up a solitary wicket. Jordan Cox will continue to bat at No.6 for England. The right-handed batter had a great Test series but is struggling for runs.Also Read: Jos Buttler Creates History; Becomes 1st Player Ever To Complete 15,000 T20 RunsHe didn’t get to bat in the 1st T20I and scored just 12 runs in the last match. For No. 7 and No.8, England will go ahead with Jamie Overton, who has taken 4 wickets in the first two matches. Interestingly, Overton didn’t get the opportunity to bat in the entire series because of England’s scintillating display with the bat.Liam Dawson also has been fine with the ball, picking up 5 wickets, the most by any bowler in this series so far. He picked up 2 wickets in the 1st T20I and a three-wicket haul in the 2nd T20I.Bowlers: Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue, Sonny BakerEngland might look to rest Jofra Archer for the dead-rubber match. Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson were kept out of the team for the first two matches to manage their workload, following a busy Test series vs Pakistan.However, Josh Tongue is most likely to replace Jofra Archer for the 3rd T20I. The rest, Sonny Baker and Adil Rashid, will continue to retain their place. Adil Rashid has two wickets in two matches, while Sonny Baker has picked up 4 wickets in 2 matches.England Playing XI vs Sri Lanka- 3rd T20I, 2026Jos Buttler(WK), Aneurin Donald, Harry Brook(C), Tom Banton, James Coles, Jordan Cox, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue, Sonny BakerAlso Read: Nasser Hussain Picks World's 2 Best Batters, No Indian Listed