England vs Sri Lanka Prediction, 2nd ODI: Match Preview, Playing XI, Dream11, Pitch & Weather
England vs Sri Lanka prediction for the second ODI at Headingley comes with England holding a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after an 89-run victory in the opening match at Chester-le-Street. England were bowled out for 265 but then dismissed Sri Lanka for 176, with Will Jacks producing a career-best 5/22 after contributing an unbeaten 46 with the bat. Harry Brook also made 67 and Joe Root scored 44.
The result means Sri Lanka now need a victory at Headingley to keep the series alive. England, meanwhile, can seal the series with one match remaining if they win again. The first ODI was more competitive than the recent T20I series, however, because Sri Lanka’s bowlers kept England to a modest total and debutant Sachindu Colombage took three wickets.
England’s bowling eventually decided the game. Jacks removed important Sri Lankan batters while Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson maintained pressure during the chase. Sri Lanka’s Dunith Wellalage provided resistance with 45, but regular wickets prevented the visitors from building a substantial partnership.
The second ODI also has a significant selection angle. Adil Rashid has been ruled out of the ODI series with a hand injury, meaning Rehan Ahmed is likely to continue as England’s principal wrist-spinner. Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis remains captain and wicketkeeper after returning from his earlier hamstring issue, and he scored 40 in the first ODI before Jacks dismissed him.
Headingley presents a different challenge from Riverside. The Leeds ground has historically produced more chasing wins than wins batting first, while the surface can offer assistance to seamers early. England therefore enter with the advantage of a series lead, home conditions and a stronger recent result, but Sri Lanka still have enough top-order and spin quality to force a deciding third match.
Table of Contents
Match Details
| Match | Date | Time | Venue | Tournament/Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England vs Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI | 24 September 2026 | 5:00 PM IST | Headingley, Leeds | Sri Lanka Tour of England 2026 |
The official schedule lists the second ODI at Headingley on Thursday, September 24, beginning at 12:30 PM local time, equivalent to 5:00 PM IST.
Series status: England lead 1-0.
England — Last 5 ODIs
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Opponent Score | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Sep 2026 | Sri Lanka | Won | 265 | 176 | Won by 89 runs |
| 19 Jul 2026 | India | Won | 387/3 | 360/7 | Won by 27 runs |
| 16 Jul 2026 | India | Won | 235/6 | 233 | Won by 4 wickets |
| 14 Jul 2026 | India | Lost | 258 | 262/4 | Lost by 6 wickets |
| 1 Nov 2025 | New Zealand | Lost | 222 | 226/8 | Lost by 2 wickets |
England have now won three consecutive ODIs, including their 89-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first match of this series. Their July series against India also ended 2-1 in England’s favour, with a 387/3 total at Lord’s followed by a 27-run victory.
The most recent match was not a dominant batting performance: England made 265 and were bowled out in 48.1 overs. Their ability to compensate with disciplined bowling is therefore an important feature of their current ODI combination.
Sri Lanka — Last 5 ODIs
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Opponent Score | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Sep 2026 | England | Lost | 176 | 265 | Lost by 89 runs |
| 3 Jun 2026 | West Indies | Won | 303/7 | 262 | Won by 41 runs |
| 16 Nov 2025 | Pakistan | Lost | 211 | 215/4 | Lost by 6 wickets |
| 14 Nov 2025 | Pakistan | Lost | 288/8 | 289/2 | Lost by 8 wickets |
| 11 Nov 2025 | Pakistan | Lost | 293/9 | 299/5 | Lost by 6 runs |
Sri Lanka’s ODI contains only one win in their last five matches. Their June victory over West Indies was their most recent ODI success before this tour, with Kusal Mendis scoring 72 in a 303/7 total.
Their three-match ODI series in Pakistan in November 2025 ended 3-0, although the second match was extremely competitive, with Sri Lanka making 288/8 before Pakistan chased it with two wickets down.
Recent Form Comparison
| Team | Last 5 ODIs | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Sri Lanka | 5 | 1 | 4 |
England therefore have the stronger recent ODI record. More importantly, their latest three victories have come against India and Sri Lanka rather than lower-ranked opposition, although Sri Lanka’s recent sample is affected by a relatively long gap between their June and September ODI assignments.
England’s batting has shown a higher ceiling, while Sri Lanka have had greater difficulty sustaining partnerships after losing early wickets. The first ODI reinforced that pattern: Sri Lanka’s chase reached 101/5 before England’s bowling completed the job.
England Preview
England enter Headingley with an opportunity to take an unassailable 2-0 lead. Their first ODI victory was built less around a huge total and more around their ability to defend 265 through regular wickets.
Powerplay
England’s top order contains several contrasting batting styles. Ben Duckett can attack spin and pace from the outset, Tom Banton provides another aggressive option, while Joe Root can stabilise the innings if early wickets fall.
Harry Brook remains the central middle-order batter and produced 67 in the first ODI. His ability to transition from accumulation to acceleration is particularly important at Headingley, where a team can build a platform before attacking later.
Jos Buttler adds experience and finishing ability, although England’s first ODI showed that the top order cannot assume the surface will always allow unrestricted stroke play.
Middle Overs
The return of Joe Root to the ODI side gives England a reliable player for the middle phase. Will Jacks also demonstrated his value in the first match, scoring 46 not out before taking five wickets.
Jacks’ off-spin provides England with an additional tactical option. If Sri Lanka’s left-hand/right-hand combinations settle into partnerships, Harry Brook can use Jacks to disrupt the scoring rhythm without depending entirely on the specialist seamers.
Liam Dawson is another potential spin option, although the final XI will determine how much spin England use.
Death Overs
England have substantial pace resources despite Adil Rashid’s absence. Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton and Josh Tongue provide different styles, ranging from high pace to hard-length bowling.
Rashid’s absence is nevertheless significant because England lose an experienced middle-over wicket-taker. The ECB confirmed that Rashid was originally part of the ODI squad, but he subsequently missed the first ODI and was ruled out of the series.
Rehan Ahmed therefore becomes especially important. His ability to attack with the wrist-spin option can prevent Sri Lanka from simply batting through the middle overs.
What England need to do to win: use the new ball aggressively, keep Sri Lanka’s middle order from building partnerships and make better use of their batting depth than they did in the first ODI.
Sri Lanka Preview
Sri Lanka have a clear objective at Headingley: win to force the series into a third ODI. Their first match contained encouraging elements, particularly with the ball, but the chase collapsed after England established pressure through the middle overs.
Powerplay
Pathum Nissanka remains one of Sri Lanka’s most important batting resources. He needs to provide the innings with a stable start because losing multiple wickets inside the first 10–15 overs would expose the middle order to England’s strongest bowling phase.
Kusal Mendis also has an important role at the top. He made 40 in the first ODI before being dismissed by Jacks, and his ability to convert starts will be important if Sri Lanka are to chase a substantial target.
Middle Overs
Sri Lanka have considerable spin and all-round options through Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dunith Wellalage and Wanindu Hasaranga.
Wellalage was Sri Lanka’s top scorer in the first ODI with 45 from 36 balls, demonstrating that the lower middle order can contribute runs. However, relying on the lower order repeatedly would indicate that the top and middle order have not done enough.
Sachindu Colombage was another positive from the opener. The debutant leg-spinner took 3/44 and showed that Sri Lanka can create pressure through spin even in English conditions.
Death Overs
Sri Lanka’s seam attack includes Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka. Their effectiveness at the death will depend on how many wickets they can preserve for the final 10 overs.
Madushanka and Asitha both contributed wickets in the first ODI, but England’s lower middle order still recovered sufficiently to reach 265 after being under pressure earlier.
Sri Lanka therefore need greater consistency with the ball after the initial breakthroughs.
What Sri Lanka need to do to win: take two or three early wickets, restrict England below 260–270 and ensure Nissanka, Kusal Mendis and Asalanka are involved in long partnerships.
Team Squad & Team News
England ODI Squad
Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Sonny Baker, Jos Buttler, Jordan Cox, Henry Crocombe, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root and Josh Tongue.
England Team News
- Adil Rashid is ruled out of the ODI series with a hand injury.
- Phil Salt is unavailable because of a right quad injury.
- Jacob Bethell remains unavailable while recovering from knee surgery.
- Jamie Overton returned to the ODI squad after missing the India white-ball series.
- Rehan Ahmed is expected to continue as the specialist wrist-spinner following Rashid’s absence.
Sri Lanka ODI Squad
Kusal Mendis (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Sachindu Colombage, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka.
Sri Lanka Team News
Kusal Mendis returned from his earlier hamstring issue and played the first ODI, scoring 40. Sachindu Colombage made his ODI debut and took three wickets, so his performance creates a genuine selection question if Sri Lanka decide to adjust their spin combination.
Probable Playing XI
| England Probable XI | Sri Lanka Probable XI |
|---|---|
| Tom Banton (wk) | Pathum Nissanka |
| Ben Duckett | Kusal Mendis (c/wk) |
| Joe Root | Kamindu Mendis |
| Harry Brook (c) | Pavan Rathnayake |
| Jos Buttler | Charith Asalanka |
| Will Jacks | Janith Liyanage |
| Jamie Overton | Dunith Wellalage |
| Rehan Ahmed | Sachindu Colombage |
| Gus Atkinson | Dushmantha Chameera |
| Jofra Archer | Asitha Fernando |
| Josh Tongue | Dilshan Madushanka |
Probable XIs are subject to official team announcements and the toss.
England vs Sri Lanka Fantasy / Dream11 Prediction
| Role | Fantasy Picks |
|---|---|
| Wicketkeeper | Jos Buttler, Kusal Mendis |
| Batters | Harry Brook, Joe Root, Pathum Nissanka, Ben Duckett |
| All-rounders | Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Dunith Wellalage |
| Bowlers | Jofra Archer, Rehan Ahmed, Dilshan Madushanka, Sachindu Colombage |
Captain Options
- Will Jacks — his five-wicket haul and 46 not out in the first ODI give him involvement in both disciplines.
- Harry Brook — he top-scored for England with 67 in the opener and occupies a central batting position.
Vice-Captain Options
- Joe Root — provides stability in the middle order and has recently produced strong ODI returns against India.
- Dunith Wellalage — contributed 45 with the bat in the first ODI and can influence the match with his bowling.
Players to Avoid / Monitor
- Sonny Baker — his selection is not certain given England’s established pace options.
- Maheesh Theekshana — his inclusion in the XI is uncertain after Sri Lanka used Colombage in the opener.
Fantasy suggestions are for informational purposes only and are not guaranteed to produce points or returns.
Also Check: Get The Best Fantasy Prediction From Cricket Experts
England vs Sri Lanka Head-to-Head — England vs Sri Lanka ODIs
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| Total ODI Matches | 82 |
| England Wins | 40 |
| Sri Lanka Wins | 38 |
| Ties | 1 |
| No Results | 3 |
Last 5 Head-to-Head ODIs
| Date | Venue | Winner | Result/Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Jan 2026 | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | England | Won by 53 runs |
| 24 Jan 2026 | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | England | Won by 5 wickets |
| 22 Jan 2026 | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | Sri Lanka | Won by 19 runs |
| 26 Oct 2023 | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | Sri Lanka | Won by 8 wickets |
| 4 Jul 2021 | Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street | No Result | Match abandoned |
The recent H2H record gives England a 2-2 split in the last four decided meetings, with the 2021 match ending without a result. More importantly, England won the last two completed ODIs between the sides in January 2026, including a 53-run victory in the third ODI.
Also Read: England vs Sri Lanka Head to Head in ODI
Venue & ODI Ground Stats — Headingley
| Venue Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| ODIs Played | 49 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 226 |
| Average 2nd Innings Score | 209 |
| Highest ODI Total | 351/9 |
| Lowest ODI Total | 93 |
| Highest Successful Chase | 324/2 |
| Wins Batting First | 19 |
| Wins Chasing | 27 |
Headingley has hosted 49 men’s ODIs in the current venue database. Teams bowling first have won 27 of those matches compared with 19 victories for sides batting first, although that historical split does not guarantee the toss winner should chase.
The venue’s highest ODI total is 351/9 by England against Pakistan, while Sri Lanka hold the highest successful chase with 324/2 against England. That combination illustrates both the potential for substantial totals and the possibility of successful high-pressure chases.
The historical average of 226 in the first innings is considerably lower than many modern ODI scoring environments, so a team reaching 270 or more would be creating a meaningful advantage over the long-term venue average.
Pitch Report
Headingley traditionally provides more assistance to seamers than a purely flat batting surface, particularly when there is movement available with the new ball. The relatively low historical ODI first-innings average of 226 also indicates that teams cannot simply assume a 300-plus score will be available every time.
The first 10 overs should therefore be particularly important. England have Archer, Atkinson and Tongue, while Sri Lanka can use Chameera, Asitha Fernando and Madushanka to attack the new ball.
If the top order survives, batting should become easier as the innings progresses. Joe Root and Harry Brook could be important in the middle overs because both can rotate the strike rather than relying solely on boundary hitting.
Spin may become more relevant once the ball becomes older. England have Rehan Ahmed and Will Jacks, while Sri Lanka have Wellalage and potentially Colombage, Hasaranga or Theekshana depending on selection.
The historical numbers also show that chasing has produced more wins at Headingley, making the toss decision important.
Weather Report
The Met Office’s current Headingley forecast for Thursday, September 24 shows predominantly sunny conditions through the main match hours, with sunny intervals developing later. The hourly forecast currently gives a less-than-5% chance of precipitation throughout the day.
| Weather Factor | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Moderate, around the mid-to-low 20s°C |
| Humidity | No precise match-window figure used |
| Rain Chance | Below 5% |
| Wind | Light to moderate |
| Conditions | Sunny, later sunny intervals |
DLS/Interruption Risk: Low
The current forecast indicates little threat of rain during the match. A full 50-over contest therefore appears more likely than a weather-affected game, while cloud and wind conditions could still influence the new-ball phase.
Dew should not be a major factor because the match begins at 12:30 PM local time rather than in the evening.
Broadcast Details
The England-Sri Lanka ODI series is scheduled for live television coverage on Sony Sports Network in India, with live streaming available through Sony LIV. The second ODI starts at 5:00 PM IST / 12:30 PM local time at Headingley.
England vs Sri Lanka Toss Prediction & Strategy
If England Wins the Toss
England should consider bowling first.
Headingley’s historical numbers show 27 wins for teams bowling first compared with 19 for teams batting first. More importantly, England’s strongest immediate weapon is their seam attack, and using Archer, Atkinson and Tongue with a fresh ball could put Sri Lanka under pressure before the middle-order spin resources become relevant.
If Sri Lanka Wins the Toss
Sri Lanka should also have a strong case for bowling first.
Their best route to changing the series is early wickets. If Chameera, Madushanka and Asitha can remove two or three of England’s top six, the pressure on Brook and Buttler increases substantially.
Toss Prediction
Predicted toss winner: England
If England win the toss, bowling first would be the preferred tactical option based on the venue’s historical chasing record and the team’s current seam resources.
ODI Score Prediction
| Scenario | Projected Score |
|---|---|
| England batting first | 270–295 |
| Sri Lanka batting first | 250–280 |
Winning Chances
| Team | Winning Probability |
|---|---|
| England | 62% |
| Sri Lanka | 38% |
Why the Win Percentage?
| Factor | England | Sri Lanka | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top-order batting | Duckett, Banton, Root | Nissanka, Kusal Mendis | England |
| Middle-order batting | Brook, Buttler, Jacks | Kamindu, Asalanka, Liyanage | England |
| Finishing | Buttler, Jacks, Overton | Wellalage, Shanaka, Hasaranga | England |
| Powerplay batting | Strong | Competitive | England |
| Middle-over batting | Root/Brook/Jacks | Kamindu/Asalanka | England |
| Death batting | Strong depth | More dependent on lower order | England |
| New-ball bowling | Archer/Atkinson/Tongue | Chameera/Asitha/Madushanka | England |
| Spin bowling | Rehan/Jacks/Dawson | Wellalage/Colombage/Hasaranga | Sri Lanka |
| Death bowling | Archer/Atkinson/Overton | Chameera/Madushanka | England |
| All-round depth | Jacks/Overton/Dawson | Wellalage/Hasaranga/Asalanka | Even |
| Recent form | 3 wins in last 5 | 1 win in last 5 | England |
| Venue suitability | Home conditions | Away | England |
| Squad availability | Rashid unavailable | Broad squad available | England |
| Head-to-head | 40 wins | 38 wins | England |
| Home advantage | Yes | No | England |
The most important factor is the current bowling balance. England lost Rashid but still have several high-quality seam options plus Rehan Ahmed, whereas Sri Lanka need a more complete performance from both departments.
The second factor is recent ODI batting. England’s recent ODI ceiling is significantly higher, highlighted by their 387/3 against India in July, although Sri Lanka’s bowling showed in the first ODI that England can still be restricted.
The third factor is the match situation. England only need one more victory to secure the series, while Sri Lanka have greater pressure to produce a complete 50-over performance.
Key ODI Player Matchups
| Matchup | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Ben Duckett vs Dushmantha Chameera | Chameera’s pace and movement could challenge Duckett before the opener settles into his attacking game. |
| Harry Brook vs Sachindu Colombage | Brook will be central to England’s middle overs, while Colombage’s leg-spin created problems in the first ODI. |
| Pathum Nissanka vs Jofra Archer | Sri Lanka need Nissanka to survive the new-ball period, making Archer’s opening spell a major contest. |
Key Batting & Bowling Targets
Expected Top Batter
Harry Brook — he top-scored for England with 67 in the first ODI and has the role to control the middle overs before accelerating.
Expected Top Bowler
Jofra Archer — his pace gives England a significant new-ball weapon, particularly against Sri Lanka’s top order.
Potential X-Factor
Will Jacks — his 46 not out and 5/22 in the first ODI showed the unusually broad impact he can have in this contest.
England vs Sri Lanka Match Prediction
England are favoured to win the second ODI at Headingley and seal the three-match series. The hosts have won the opening match, possess stronger recent ODI form and have the advantage of playing at home.
Sri Lanka’s route to victory depends heavily on their top order surviving the first 10 overs and their spinners creating another middle-over squeeze. England’s pace attack and the all-round contribution of Will Jacks provide the clearest difference between the two sides.
Prediction: England to win
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