England have bolstered their limited-overs squads for the September white‑ball series against Sri Lanka by adding two uncapped players: Derbyshire’s explosive batsman Aneurin Donald and Sussex’s promising seam bowler Henry Crocombe. Both have earned their places through standout performances in domestic competitions, and their inclusion signals a fresh injection of talent as England prepare for a trio of T20 matches followed by three One Day Internationals on home soil.
Donald’s domestic credentials are hard to ignore. In this summer’s Vitality Blast he amassed 489 runs in just 12 games, notching four half‑centuries and topping the six‑hitting chart with 37 sixes.
His aggressive approach also shone in The Hundred, where he represented the Trent Rockets and continued to display a powerful strike rate. The Wales‑born right‑hander even recorded a joint‑fastest fifty in the Blast, reaching the milestone in a blistering 13 balls for Derbyshire against Yorkshire in 2025.
These feats have earned him a spot in a 16‑man T20 squad that will be without opening batsman Phil Salt, who is sidelined with a quadriceps injury. Crocombe, meanwhile, has been a revelation with the ball. The 24‑year‑old has taken hat‑tricks in his two most recent County Championship fixtures, dismissing top‑order batsmen from Somerset and Essex in consecutive matches. Over the course of his domestic career he has claimed 49 wickets in 36 fifty‑over games and added another 34 scalps in 35 T20 outings, pushing his total first‑class wicket tally beyond the 100‑mark.
His consistency earned him a place in a 16‑player ODI group, and he was previously called up to England’s Test party during the New Zealand series when Sussex teammate Ollie Robinson suffered a knee injury, although he did not feature in the final XI. England’s selection panel, led by national selector Marcus North, praised both newcomers.
"Aneurin Donald and Henry Crocombe have both delivered impressive domestic seasons and deserve this opportunity," North said. "Donald’s power hitting and Crocombe’s ability to take wickets in bursts make them valuable assets for our white‑ball plans." The broader squad lists a mixture of established internationals and emerging prospects.
In the T20 camp, names such as captain Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Gus Atkinson (Surrey), and veteran wicket‑keeper Jos Buttler (Lancashire) feature alongside the new additions. The ODI roster similarly includes seasoned campaigners like Joe Root, Adil Rashid, and Liam Dawson, as well as promising youngsters such as Rehan Ahmed and Saqib Mahmood. Notably absent from the squads is Brydon Carse, who is currently under investigation by the Cricket Regulator following an alleged assault outside a Derby nightclub in August. The ECB has opted to leave him out of selection while the matter is resolved, emphasizing that the decision does not prejudge any investigative outcome.
Additionally, Sam Curran (groin) and Jacob Bethell (knee) miss out due to injuries; Bethell has undergone successful surgery and is targeting a return on the Australian white‑ball tour later in the year, while Curran remains sidelined as he recovers. The T20 series kicks off in Southampton on 15 September, two days after England finish the final Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston.
The three‑match T20 itinerary will see the hosts face Sri Lanka in Southampton, Cardiff on 17 September, and at Old Trafford on 19 September. The subsequent ODIs – England’s last home white‑ball commitments for the summer – are scheduled for Durham (22 September), Headingley (24 September) and The Oval (27 September).
England’s coaching staff, now led by white‑ball specialist Brendon McCullum after his removal from the Test role, will also have the option of calling up Test captain Joe Root for the ODI leg, as the board has chosen not to rest him. The series against Sri Lanka follows a dominant 3‑0 Test sweep of Pakistan, which concluded in Birmingham on 9 September after comprehensive victories at Headingley and Lord’s. Looking ahead, England’s calendar remains packed.
In October the side will travel to Pakistan for a tri‑nation ODI series that also includes Sri Lanka. November will see a tour of Australia featuring three ODIs and five T20s, while the festive period will bring a three‑Test tour of South Africa under new red‑ball coach Stephen Fleming, followed by a three‑match ODI series in January. Beyond England, Sri Lanka will field a weakened lineup due to injuries. White‑ball captain Kusal Mendis (hamstring) and left‑arm pacer Binura Fernando (back) are unavailable for the T20 series, with Pavan Rathnayake and Dilshan Madushanka named as their replacements.
Charith Asalanka will assume the captaincy for the T20 matches, while Mendis remains listed in the ODI squad despite his current rehabilitation. The Sri Lankan T20 and ODI squads comprise a blend of experienced players such as Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, alongside emerging talents like Pathum Nissanka and Dushmantha Chameera. All fixtures will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with match times listed in UK and Ireland time zones.
Fans without a Sky subscription can explore the latest Sky Sports deals or stream the games contract‑free via NOW, ensuring broad access to England’s concluding home white‑ball series before the team embarks on its busy international itinerary later in the year.