England have bolstered their limited-overs squads for the forthcoming T20 and One-Day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka by adding two promising uncapped players: Derbyshire’s explosive batsman Aneurin Donald and Sussex’s swing‑bowling all‑rounder Henry Crocombe. Both athletes earned their call‑ups after delivering standout performances in domestic competitions, and they join a 16‑man roster that will compete in a three‑match T20 series followed by three ODIs later this September. Aneurin Donald arrived on the England radar after an eye‑catching season in the 2024 Vitality Blast.
Over the course of 12 matches he amassed 489 runs, which included four half‑centuries, and topped the tournament’s six‑hitting chart with 37 sixes. His power was on full display for the Trent Rockets in The Hundred, where he continued to showcase his ability to dominate bowlers in the shortest format. Born in Wales, Donald also recorded a joint‑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 make him a natural fit for England’s white‑ball plans, especially as the squad prepares to replace the injured opening batsman Phil Salt, who is sidelined with a quadriceps problem. Henry Crocombe, meanwhile, has been a revelation with the ball in the County Championship. The 24‑year‑old Sussex bowler claimed hat‑tricks in his two most recent first‑class matches, dismissing opponents including the brother of England pacer Jamie Overton.
Over the course of his career he has taken 49 wickets in 36 domestic 50‑over games and added another 34 wickets in 35 T20 fixtures, pushing his overall tally past the 100‑wicket mark across formats. Crocombe’s consistency earned him a spot in the 16‑player ODI squad, and he previously joined England’s Test party during the New Zealand series in June as a cover for an injured Ollie Robinson, although he did not feature in a Test match.
The expanded England squads feature a blend of established internationals and emerging talent. The T20 group includes Yorkshire captain Harry Brook, Sussex fast bowler Jofra Archer, Surrey’s Gus Atkinson, Somerset’s Tom Banton, Hampshire’s Sonny Baker, Lancashire’s Jos Buttler, Essex’s Jordan Cox, and a host of other seasoned players such as Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root and Josh Tongue.
The ODI line‑up mirrors many of these names, with the addition of James Coles, a spin‑bowling all‑rounder from Sussex, who retains his place in the T20 side but does not travel for the ODIs. England men’s selector Marcus North praised the two newcomers, stating, “Aneurin Donald and Henry Crocombe have earned their England caps through impressive domestic form. Donald’s explosive run‑scoring in the Vitality Blast and his contributions for the Trent Rockets demonstrate his readiness for the international stage, while Henry has been on our radar all summer for his consistent wicket‑taking and ability to swing the ball both with the new and old ball.” The call‑ups also come amid a number of absences. Fast bowler Brydon Carse, who is currently under investigation by the Cricket Regulator following an alleged assault outside a Derby nightclub, has been omitted from the squads.
The ECB issued a statement emphasizing that Carse’s exclusion is not a judgment on the outcome of the investigation but rather a decision to allow him time to address the issues surrounding the incident. Additionally, Sam Curran is unavailable due to a groin injury, and all‑rounder Jacob Bethell is sidelined with a knee problem; Bethell recently underwent successful surgery and is targeting a return for England’s white‑ball tour of Australia in November. Jamie Overton, another all‑rounder, is back in contention after missing the July T20 and ODI series against India because of a quadriceps injury sustained in the IPL. His return adds depth to the pace attack, complementing the likes of Gus Atkinson, who is selected for both formats.
The T20 series against Sri Lanka kicks off at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton on 15 September, two days after England complete a 3‑0 Test sweep of Pakistan at Edgbaston. The second and third T20s will be played at Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens on 17 September and at Old Trafford on 19 September. The ODI leg follows, with matches scheduled at the Riverside Ground in Durham (22 September), Headingley in Leeds (24 September) and the historic Oval in London (27 September). Crocombe’s domestic pedigree includes a forthcoming move to Surrey from 2027, where he is expected to further develop his seam bowling under the guidance of experienced coaches.
His recent first‑class hat‑tricks came against Somerset and Essex, highlighting his ability to take wickets in clusters and apply pressure in the longer format as well. James Coles, another Sussex prospect, remains in the T20 squad after earning his first England call‑up for the India series earlier in the year, though he will not travel for the ODIs. Donald, for his part, has compiled 18 half‑centuries and accumulated 2,423 runs across 106 innings in domestic T20 cricket, with a personal best of 91. Head coach Brendon McCullum, who now focuses solely on the white‑ball game 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 England have indicated they intend to keep him in the side.
The team will look to finish the home summer on a high note before embarking on a packed international schedule that includes an ODI tri‑series in Pakistan in October, a tour of Australia in November for three ODIs and five T20s, and a three‑Test series in South Africa over the Christmas period under new red‑ball coach Stephen Fleming. Looking ahead, the next ICC 50‑over World Cup is slated for 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, while the 2028 T20 World Cup will be hosted by 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. They have been replaced by Pavan Rathnayake and Dilshan Madushanka respectively.
Charith Asalanka will lead the Sri Lankan T20 side in Mendis’s absence, though Mendis remains listed in the ODI squad. The Sri Lankan T20 squad comprises 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 contingent includes 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 fixtures will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with match times listed in UK and Ireland local time.
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