England are set to hand Derbyshire’s hard‑hitting batsman Aneurin Donald his first Twenty‑20 International cap in the series‑opening clash against Sri Lanka at Southampton’s Utilita Bowl on Tuesday evening, with the match being broadcast live on Sky Sports. The 29‑year‑old Welshman will open the innings alongside Jos Buttler, taking the crease at 6.30 p.m.
UK time, while Phil Salt has been ruled out of the three‑match series after suffering a quad injury. Donald has been in blistering form in the domestic T20 circuit this summer, amassing 489 runs in 12 Vitality Blast games, which includes four half‑centuries and a tournament‑leading 37 sixes. His aggressive style and ability to clear the boundary with ease have made him a standout performer, earning him a place in the national side. The announced squad also features Jos Buttler, captain Harry Brook, Tom Banton, Jordan Cox, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Josh Tongue, Sonny Baker and spin specialist Adil Rashid.
Not selected are Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, James Coles, Ben Duckett and Saqib Mahmood. Viewers can tune in to Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 6 p.m. on Tuesday, with the first ball scheduled for 6.30 p.m. Donald, a right‑hander who previously turned out for Glamorgan and Hampshire, impressed in The Hundred while playing for the Trent Rockets, notably blasting a rapid 38 off 19 balls in the final against Jos Buttler’s Manchester Super Giants at Lord’s.
England head coach Brendon McCullum also confirmed that fast bowler Jofra Archer will sit out the T20 series after a heavy workload in the recent Test whitewash of Pakistan, which concluded on Saturday. Speaking about Donald, McCullum highlighted that the Welshman will partner Buttler at the top of the order and described him as a player who has been on the England radar for some time. "Aneurin will open with Jos, which is very exciting. He is a cricketer that has been on our radar for quite some time," McCullum said.
According to Cricinfo statistics, Donald boasts the second‑highest strike‑rate in T20 cricket since the start of 2024, scoring at an astonishing 215.70 runs per 100 balls across 48 innings. Only the teenage Indian prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, with a strike‑rate of 216.30 in 40 innings, sits ahead of him. McCullum added, "He has a game where he can go from ball one, which is probably quite similar to Salty. He has raw power and an incredible amount of talent.
I am looking forward to seeing how he goes on the big stage. It's great to be able to see him take that step up.
I am sure he and Jos will be a nice combination." The top six for England will consist of Donald, Buttler, captain Harry Brook, Tom Banton, Jordan Cox and Will Jacks. All‑rounders Jamie Overton and Liam Dawson will bat at numbers seven and eight respectively, followed by seamers Josh Tongue and Sonny Baker, with Adil Rashid providing the spin option at the end of the line‑up. Injured players Jacob Bethell (knee) and Sam Curran (groin) will miss the series. McCullum also indicated that Tongue, who featured in all three Tests against Pakistan alongside Archer, may be rested for the second T20 in Cardiff on Thursday.
"We are trying to be smart around player management. Appreciative that they have had a fair schedule while trying to make sure we have our best team out there," the New Zealander 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 meet for a three‑match One‑Day International series beginning in Durham on 22 September.
Fast bowler Brydon Carse has been 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 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 yet been filed, and the inquiry remains ongoing.
English cricket has faced a spate of off‑field controversies in recent months, including an incident where white‑ball captain Harry Brook was struck by a bouncer after a night out prior to a One‑Day International in New Zealand. McCullum addressed Carse’s situation, stating, "I have spoken to Brydon a lot.
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." He continued, "The message is the same to those in the squad but also those with aspirations of representing England in white‑ball cricket: that it comes with responsibility.
I want us to become the fittest, strongest, most robust, 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 responsibilities off the field as well to make sure you look after yourself.
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 watch England’s white‑ball fixtures against Sri Lanka live on Sky Sports Cricket, beginning with the first T20 at the Utilita Bowl on Tuesday.
Sky Sports also offers streaming options through NOW with no‑contract deals for those who prefer digital access. All times are listed in UK and Ireland local time, and every match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.