England have bolstered their limited‑overs squads for the September white‑ball series against Sri Lanka by adding two uncapped players: Derbyshire’s explosive middle‑order batter Aneurin Donald and Sussex’s promising seam bowler Henry Crocombe. Both have earned their places after standout performances in domestic competitions, and their inclusion reflects the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) commitment to injecting fresh talent into the national side. Donald’s domestic record this summer has been nothing short of spectacular. In the Vitality Blast, he amassed 489 runs in just twelve matches, registering four half‑centuries and smashing a remarkable 37 sixes – the highest tally in the tournament.
His aggressive approach was also on display for the Trent Rockets in The Hundred, where he continued to demonstrate his ability to dominate bowlers in the shortest formats. Perhaps most eye‑catching was his joint‑fastest fifty in the Blast, achieved in a mere 13 balls for Derbyshire against Yorkshire in 2025, a feat that underlines his capacity for explosive power hitting. As a result, Donald has been named in a 16‑man T20 squad that will be missing opening batsman Phil Salt, who is sidelined with a quadriceps injury. Henry Crocombe, a 24‑year‑old left‑arm fast‑medium bowler, has been selected for the 16‑man ODI group.
He has been a revelation in the County Championship, claiming hat‑tricks in his two most recent matches – one against Somerset and another versus Essex – and accumulating 49 wickets in 36 domestic 50‑over games along with 34 wickets in 35 T20 fixtures. In total, Crocombe has taken more than 100 wickets across all formats, highlighting his versatility and consistency. Although he was added to England’s Test party during the New Zealand series in June as cover for an injury to Sussex teammate Ollie Robinson, he did not feature in the final XI. From 2027, he will join Surrey, further broadening his experience at the highest domestic level.
The expanded England squads feature a blend of established internationals and emerging prospects. The T20 roster includes names such as captain Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Gus Atkinson (Surrey), Sonny Baker (Hampshire), Tom Banton (Somerset), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), and James Coles (Sussex), alongside the newcomers Donald and Crocombe.
The ODI line‑up mirrors many of these selections, with the addition of seasoned campaigners like Joe Root (Yorkshire) and Adil Rashid (Yorkshire). Notably, Brydon Carse has been omitted from both squads following a police investigation into an alleged assault outside a Derby nightclub in August; the ECB has stated that Carse will take time away from the game to address the issue, emphasizing that the decision does not prejudice any legal outcome. Injury concerns have also shaped the selections. Sam Curran is unavailable due to a groin problem, while Jacob Bethell is recovering from knee surgery.
Both players are expected to return later in the year, with Bethell targeting the white‑ball tour of Australia in November. Jamie Overton, who missed the July T20 and ODI victories over India because of a quadriceps injury sustained at the IPL, is now back in the mix. Fast bowler Gus Atkinson, as well as batters Jordan Cox and Ben Duckett, have been retained in both formats, providing continuity and experience.
The T20 series against Sri Lanka will kick off at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton on 15 September, followed by fixtures in Cardiff on 17 September and at Old Trafford on 19 September. The ODI series, which marks the final home white‑ball assignment of the English summer, will be staged at Durham (22 September), Headingley (24 September) and The Oval (27 September). England will aim to finish the home season on a high note after completing a 3‑0 Test sweep of Pakistan in Birmingham, a series that concluded just two days before the first T20. Looking ahead, England’s schedule remains packed.
After the Sri Lanka series, the team will travel to Pakistan in October for a tri‑nation ODI tournament that also features Sri Lanka. November will see a tour of Australia, comprising three ODIs and five T20s.
The following December, England will embark on a three‑Test tour of South Africa under new red‑ball coach Stephen Fleming, followed by three ODIs in January. These fixtures serve as preparation for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, set to be hosted across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, and the 2028 ICC T20 World Cup, which will be staged in Australia and New Zealand. Sri Lanka will be without their white‑ball captain Kusal Mendis, who is nursing a hamstring injury, and left‑arm pacer Binura Fernando, sidelined with a back problem.
Their replacements include Pavan Rathnayake and Dilshan Madushanka. In the T20s, Charith Asalanka will lead the side in Mendis’s absence, while the ODI squad retains Mendis as captain.
Both England and Sri Lanka squads are listed in full on the ECB and Sri Lanka Cricket websites, and all matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with streaming options available via NOW for viewers without a Sky subscription.