England are set to hand Derbyshire batsman Aneurin Donald his first Twenty20 International cap in the series‑opening match against Sri Lanka, which will be played at Southampton’s Utilita Bowl on Tuesday evening and broadcast live on Sky Sports. The 29‑year‑old Welshman will open the innings alongside Jos Buttler, taking the top‑order spots for a game that is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. UK time. Phil Salt, who has been dealing with a quad problem, will miss the three‑match T20 series.
Donald has been in scintillating form in the domestic circuit this summer. In the Vitality Blast he amassed 489 runs in 12 matches, notching four half‑centuries and blasting a tournament‑leading 37 sixes.
His aggressive style and ability to dominate bowlers have made him a strong candidate for the national side, especially after his recent exploits in The Hundred where he represented Trent Rockets. In the final at Lord’s, Donald smashed 38 runs off just 19 balls against Jos Buttler’s Manchester Super Giants, underscoring his raw power and finishing prowess.
The England squad for the series includes Jos Buttler, captain Harry Brook, Tom Banton, Jordan Cox, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Josh Tongue, Sonny Baker and spinner Adil Rashid. Those left out are Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, James Coles, Ben Duckett and Saqib Mahmood. Injuries have also ruled out Jacob Bethell (knee) and Sam Curran (groin) for the series.
Coach Brendon McCullum confirmed that fast bowler Jofra Archer will be rested for the Utilita Bowl after his heavy workload in the recent Test series sweep of Pakistan. McCullum praised Donald, noting that he is the first home‑grown Glamorgan product to break into the England side since the 2005 Ashes hero Simon Jones.
"Aneurin will open with Jos, which is very exciting. He’s been on our radar for a long time and his strike‑rate is phenomenal," McCullum said.
According to Cricinfo, Donald currently boasts the second‑highest strike‑rate in T20 cricket since the start of 2024, at 215.70 runs per 100 balls, trailing only the teenage Indian sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who sits at 216.30. McCullum added, "He can take the attack from ball one, much like Phil Salt did.
He has raw power and an incredible amount of talent. I’m eager to see how he handles the big stage. I’m confident he and Jos will form a dynamic opening pair." The top‑order will be bolstered by captain Harry Brook, Tom Banton, Jordan Cox and Will Jacks, while all‑rounders Jamie Overton and Liam Dawson will occupy the seventh and eighth positions. The seam attack will be led by Josh Tongue and Sonny Baker, with Adil Rashid providing spin options.
McCullum indicated that Tongue, who featured in all three Tests against Pakistan, may be rested for the second T20 in Cardiff on Thursday to manage player workload. "We are trying to be smart about player management. We appreciate the schedule and want to ensure we field our strongest side," he explained.
The final T20 of the series will be played at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday, after which England and Sri Lanka will contest a three‑match One‑Day International series beginning in Durham on 22 September. Off‑field issues have also featured in recent England news.
Fast bowler Brydon Carse was omitted from the squad following an incident outside a nightclub in August, which occurred after he and his Durham teammates celebrated a County Championship win. The Cricket Regulator and Derbyshire police are investigating the matter, though no charges have been filed to date.
McCullum addressed Carse’s situation, stating, "We know he is an excellent cricketer who has performed well for England. This is an opportunity for him to sort out his personal affairs and push for future selection. The message to everyone in the squad and those aspiring to wear the white‑ball shirt is clear: talent must be matched by responsibility, both on and off the field." England’s white‑ball side has faced a series of off‑field incidents over the past year, ranging from disciplinary matters to a notable incident where white‑ball captain Harry Brook was struck by a bouncer after a night out in New Zealand.
McCullum emphasized the importance of professionalism, saying, "We want to become the fittest, strongest, most dynamic one‑day and T20 side in the world. That requires commitment to training, a high‑octane playing style, and responsible behaviour off the field. Good social decisions are essential to being the best version of yourself." Fans can watch England’s white‑ball games against Sri Lanka live on Sky Sports Cricket, beginning with the opening T20 at the Utilita Bowl on Tuesday (airing from 6 p.m., first ball at 6:30 p.m.).
The matches are also available via Sky Sports’ streaming service NOW, with flexible contracts. All times are listed in UK and Ireland.