![England Predicted Playing XI vs Sri Lanka [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1793178703437_EnglandSriLankaPlayingXI.jpg?type=hq)
England Predicted Playing XI vs Sri Lanka [Source: AFP]
In the sixth fixture of the ODI Tri-Series 2026, England will take on Sri Lanka on Thursday, October 29. The match will be held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore at 1:30 PM IST.
England are officially eliminated from the tournament after failing to win a single contest so far. They lost 2 games against Pakistan and one against Sri Lanka.
The entire squad has appeared listless. Despite coming close to victories on multiple occasions, players have choked in final moments. Regardless, for their final league fixture, England will aim to get a win and exit on a high note.
For that, they’ll need a strong playing XI. And in this article, we’ll analyse England’s likely eleven for the upcoming contest vs Sri Lanka.
Top Order - Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Joe Root
Tom Banton will continue to open for England. In 3 innings so far in the series, he hit 111 runs at a strike rate of 101. He has got good scores, but Banton needs to convert them into big innings to give a strong platform to his team.
With Tom, Ben Duckett will open the innings. He has scored 179 runs in this series, including a century in the last fixture against Pakistan. Hence, his form will remain crucial for England.
At no. 3, Joe Root will retain his place. He has had an underwhelming series, scoring 107 runs only with a modest strike rate of 99. However, if he somehow regains form, Root can carry England on his shoulders alone.
Middle Order - Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Will Jacks
Captain Harry Brook will take responsibility for the middle order. Notably, he has been the highest run-scorer for England in this series with 208 runs accumulated at a strike rate of 160. Hence, Brook will either make or break the game for England against Sri Lanka.
At no. 5, Jordan Cox will likely retain his place despite scoring just 24 runs in two innings. It’s because England do not have any like-for-like replacement on the bench for Cox.
In the all-rounder department, Sam Curran and Will Jacks will retain their places. Curran has contributed 42 runs with the bat in 2 games while picking up 3 wickets with the ball as well. As for Jacks, he scored 98 runs in 3 innings with 2 wickets.
Bowlers - Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue
In the bowling department, Jamie Overton will feature in the playing XI as England’s leading wicket-taker of the series. In 3 innings, he managed to get 5 wickets to his name.
Gus Atkinson will assist Overton as the second seam option. He has also contributed with 4 wickets in 3 games. As for third pacer, the experiment of Henry Crocombe didn’t work out for England in the last game against Pakistan.
He picked up a single wicket while conceding 57 runs in 6.1 overs. Hence, Josh Tongue should be brought back for this game, as he previously picked up 3 wickets against Sri Lanka itself.
In the spin department, leg-spinner Adil Rashid should replace Liam Dawson. The latter has got 2 wickets, but Rashid is a much better option for his experience and success in subcontinent conditions. Hence, England is likely to make 2 changes to their playing XI against Sri Lanka.
