England have bolstered their limited‑overs contingents for the upcoming T20 and One‑Day International series against Sri Lanka by calling up two uncapped players: Derbyshire’s explosive batsman Aneurin Donald and Sussex’s promising seam bowler Henry Crocombe. Both selections were announced ahead of the matches that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Donald has been a revelation in this summer’s Vitality Blast, amassing 489 runs in 12 games, a tally that includes four half‑centuries and a league‑leading 37 sixes. His power hitting was on full display for the Trent Rockets in The Hundred, where he continued to demonstrate his ability to dominate bowlers.
The Wales‑born right‑hander also holds the joint‑record for the fastest fifty in the Blast, reaching the milestone in just 13 balls for Derbyshire against Yorkshire in 2025. His aggressive style and knack for clearing the boundary have earned him a spot in a 16‑man T20 squad that will be missing opening batsman Phil Salt, who is sidelined with a quadriceps injury.
On the bowling front, 24‑year‑old Henry Crocombe has impressed with a string of recent performances in the County Championship, taking hat‑tricks in his last two matches. His form has secured him a place in England’s 16‑man ODI group. Crocombe, who will move to Surrey from 2027, has already claimed 49 wickets in 36 domestic 50‑over games and 34 wickets in 35 T20 fixtures, bringing his total first‑class wicket haul to well over a hundred. His recent hat‑tricks came against Somerset and Essex, with one of the dismissals being Craig Overton, the brother of England all‑rounder Jamie Overton.
The broader England squad for the white‑ball series features a blend of established internationals and emerging talent. Among the named players are Yorkshire captain Harry Brook, Leicestershire’s Rehan Ahmed, Sussex paceman Jofra Archer, Surrey’s Gus Atkinson, Somerset’s Tom Banton, Hampshire’s Sonny Baker, Lancashire’s Jos Buttler, Essex’s Jordan Cox, Hampshire’s Liam Dawson, Nottinghamshire’s Ben Duckett, Surrey’s Will Jacks, Surrey’s Jamie Overton, Yorkshire’s Adil Rashid, Yorkshire’s Joe Root, and Nottinghamshire’s Josh Tongue. The ODI list mirrors much of the T20 selection, with the addition of James Coles, a spin‑bowling all‑rounder from Sussex who earned his first call‑up for the India series earlier in the year but will not feature in the ODI squad this time.
England men’s selector Marcus North praised the two newcomers, stating, “Aneurin Donald and Henry Crocombe have earned their places through outstanding domestic performances. Donald’s power hitting in the Blast and The Hundred has been exceptional, while Henry has been on our radar all summer for his consistency and wicket‑taking ability.” The squad also reflects some notable absences.
Fast bowler Brydon Carse, who is currently under investigation by the Cricket Regulator after an alleged assault outside a Derby nightclub in August, has been omitted. The ECB clarified that Carse was available for selection but, given the circumstances, they felt it appropriate for him to step back and address the issues surrounding the incident. Derbyshire police are investigating the alleged assault.
Additionally, Sam Curran (groin injury) and Jacob Bethell (knee surgery) miss out due to injuries. Bethell’s operation was successful, and the board hopes he can return for the white‑ball tour of Australia in November. Curran’s injury keeps him sidelined for the remainder of the home season.
Jamie Overton, who missed the July T20 and ODI victories over India because of a quad injury sustained at the IPL, is now back in contention. Both Jordan Cox and Ben Duckett, along with fast bowler Gus Atkinson, are selected for both the T20 and ODI squads, providing depth in both batting and pace departments.
The T20 series against Sri Lanka kicks off in Southampton on 15 September, two days after England’s final Test against Pakistan concludes at Edgbaston. The subsequent matches will be played in Cardiff on 17 September and at Emirates Old Trafford on 19 September.
The ODI leg follows, marking the last home white‑ball series of the English summer, with fixtures at Durham (22 September), Headingley (24 September) and The Kia Oval (27 September). Crocombe’s inclusion in the Test squad earlier this year came during the New Zealand series when Sussex colleague Ollie Robinson suffered a knee injury, although Crocombe did not make his Test debut at that time. His domestic record includes 49 wickets in 36 fifty‑over games and 34 in 35 T20 matches, and he has taken more than 100 wickets in first‑class cricket, underscoring his readiness for the international stage.
Another uncapped Sussex player, spin‑bowling all‑rounder James Coles, retains his place in the T20 squad after earning his maiden call‑up for the India series but will not travel with the ODI group. Donald’s domestic T20 résumé is impressive: 18 half‑centuries and 2,423 runs across 106 innings, with a highest score of 91.
His ability to accelerate the scoring rate makes him a valuable asset in the short format, especially in a squad looking to inject fresh firepower. Head coach Brendon McCullum, now solely responsible for the white‑ball sides after stepping down from the Test role following the 2‑1 series loss to New Zealand, will have the option of resting Test captain Joe Root for the ODIs, but the board has decided to keep him in the line‑up.
England will aim to finish their home season with a clean sweep of the Pakistan Test series – a 3‑0 victory secured at Birmingham from 9 September, after dominant wins at Headingley and Lord’s – before turning their attention to the white‑ball contests. Looking ahead, England’s schedule remains packed. In October the team travels to Pakistan for a tri‑nation ODI series that also features Sri Lanka.
This will be followed by a tour of Australia in November, comprising three ODIs and five T20s. The winter calendar includes a three‑Test tour of South Africa over the Christmas period, Stephen Fleming’s first assignment as England’s red‑ball coach after succeeding McCullum, and a subsequent three‑ODI series against the Proteas in January.
The 2027 ICC 50‑over World Cup will be hosted across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, with the T20 World Cup slated for Australia and New Zealand in 2028. Sri Lanka will be without white‑ball captain Kusal Mendis (hamstring) and left‑arm pacer Binura Fernando (back injury) for the T20 series, as both recover from injuries sustained in the Lanka Premier League.
They will be replaced by Pavan Rathnayake and Dilshan Madushanka. Charith Asalanka will lead the Sri Lankan T20 side in Mendis’s absence, though Mendis remains listed in the ODI squad. Sri Lanka’s T20 squad includes: Charith Asalanka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Lahiru Udara, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Tharindu Rathnayake, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Nuwan Thushara, and Dilshan Madushanka. Their ODI roster features: Kusal Mendis (captain), 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.
All matches will be televised live on Sky Sports, with times listed in UK and Ireland. Fans without a Sky subscription can explore the latest Sky Sports packages or stream the games contract‑free via NOW.