England are set to hand Derbyshire’s hard‑hitting batsman Aneurin Donald his first Twenty‑20 International cap in the opening match of the series against Sri Lanka, which will be played at Southampton’s Utilita Bowl on Tuesday night and broadcast live on Sky Sports. The 29‑year‑old Welsh cricketer will open the innings alongside veteran Jos Buttler, taking the crease at 6.30 pm UK time, after Phil Salt was ruled out of the three‑match series because of a quad injury. Donald has been in blistering form in this season’s Vitality Blast, amassing 489 runs in 12 games, including four half‑centuries, and blasting a tournament‑leading 37 sixes.
His aggressive approach and ability to dominate bowlers have made him a standout performer in the domestic circuit, earning him a call‑up to the national side. The England squad for the match includes Jos Buttler, captain Harry Brook, Tom Banton, Jordan Cox, Will Jacks, all‑rounders Jamie Overton and Liam Dawson, seamers Josh Tongue and Sonny Baker, and spinner Adil Rashid. Those omitted from the lineup are Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, James Coles, Ben Duckett and Saqib Mahmood.
The match will be streamed on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event, with the broadcast beginning at 6 pm and the first ball delivered at 6.30 pm. Donald, a right‑hander who previously turned out for Glamorgan and Hampshire, also impressed in The Hundred, where he represented the Trent Rockets. Notably, he smashed 38 runs off just 19 balls in the final against Jos Buttler’s Manchester Super Giants at Lord’s, showcasing the raw power that England’s coaching staff have been eager to harness.
England head coach Brendon McCullum confirmed that fast bowler Jofra Archer will be rested for the T20 series after his heavy workload during the recent Test whitewash of Pakistan, which concluded on Saturday. Speaking about Donald, McCullum highlighted that the Welshman will open with Buttler, describing him as a player who has been on the selectors’ radar for some time. According to Cricinfo, Donald boasts the second‑highest strike‑rate in T20 cricket since the start of 2024, scoring at 215.70 across 48 innings, just behind Indian teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who sits at 216.30. McCullum praised Donald’s ability to attack from the very first ball, likening his raw power and talent to that of Phil Salt.
"He can go from ball one, which is probably quite similar to Salty. He has raw power and an incredible amount of talent," the coach said. "I am looking forward to seeing how he performs on the big stage.
It will be great to see him step up, and I am confident he and Jos will form a potent opening partnership." The top‑order will be complemented by captain Harry Brook, Tom Banton, Jordan Cox and Will Jacks, while the middle order features all‑rounders Jamie Overton and Liam Dawson at numbers seven and eight. Seam bowlers Josh Tongue and Sonny Baker will follow, with spinner Adil Rashid completing the XI. Injuries have forced the omission of Jacob Bethell, who is sidelined with a knee problem, and Sam Curran, who is recovering from a groin strain.
McCullum also addressed the workload of seam bowler Josh Tongue, who, like Archer, featured in all three Tests against Pakistan. The coach hinted that Tongue may receive a rest in the second T20 in Cardiff on Thursday, emphasizing the importance of smart player management and ensuring the squad remains fresh for the upcoming fixtures. The final T20 of the series will be played at the Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday, after which England and Sri Lanka will contest three One‑Day Internationals, starting in Durham on Tuesday, 22 September.
Fast bowler Brydon Carse was left out of the squad following an incident outside a nightclub in August, which occurred after he and his Durham teammates celebrated a County Championship victory away at Derbyshire. The Cricket Regulator has opened an investigation, and Derbyshire police are also probing an alleged assault linked to the episode. No charges have been filed to date, but the matter remains under review. English cricket has faced a series of off‑field controversies over the past year, ranging from disciplinary issues to incidents involving players’ conduct.
Notably, white‑ball captain Harry Brook was struck by a bouncer after a night out before a One‑Day International in New Zealand, highlighting the challenges of maintaining professionalism off the pitch. McCullum spoke about Carse’s situation, noting that the bowler has been a valuable asset for England but needs to address personal matters before returning to the national side. "We know he is an excellent cricketer who has done well for England.
This is a chance for him to get his house in order and push for selection when the next opportunity arises," McCullum said. He added that the message to all squad members—and to aspiring England white‑ball players—is that representing the country carries significant responsibility both on and off the field.
The coach reiterated his ambition to shape England into the fittest, strongest, most dynamic one‑day and T20 side in the world. "That comes with commitment to training and the high‑octane style we want to play, but also responsibilities off the field to make sure you look after yourself," McCullum explained. "You need to make good decisions socially to allow you to be the best version of yourself. I hope it is crystal clear what is expected.
There is a lot of talent around, so if you are not prepared to do that then other guys will get those opportunities." Fans can tune in to watch England’s white‑ball series against Sri Lanka live on Sky Sports Cricket, beginning with the opening T20 at the Utilita Bowl on Tuesday. The broadcast will start at 6 pm, with the first delivery at 6.30 pm. For those without a Sky subscription, the latest Sky Sports deals or streaming options without a contract are available on NOW.
All times are listed in UK and Ireland local time, and every game will be shown live on Sky Sports.