England will look to ignite their stagnant T20 World Cup campaign on Sunday as they face an injury-depleted Sri Lanka in a high-stakes Super Eight opener at Pallekele. Despite a shaky group stage, Harry Brook’s side enters the contest buoyed by a recent 3-0 sweep over the co-hosts at this very venue just weeks ago.
The English side arrives in Kandy after narrow escapes against Nepal and Italy, results that left the defending champions at the mercy of fate. However, the Super Eight provides a "clean slate" for Brook’s men, who face a Sri Lankan side missing its two biggest bowling weapons: Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana.
England captain Harry Brook has challenged his top order to abandon the "careful" approach that saw them struggle in the group stages. Phil Salt and Jos Buttler currently average fewer than 15 runs in the tournament, a statistic England must rectify to regain their status as title contenders.
I want us to go hell for leather in 20 overs anyway, with no points carrying over, it’s a completely fresh start. I feel like we can probably be a bit more brave.Harry Brook, England Captain
England’s success likely hinges on their middle-order acceleration. Between overs seven and 15, the team has scored at a pedestrian 7.77 per over. Much depends on Will Jacks, who boasts a tournament strike rate of 207, to provide the late-innings thrust if the openers fail to fire.
Powerplay trap: Phil Salt averages just 19 against leg-spin in T20s. Expect Sri Lanka to deploy Dushan Hemantha early to exploit this weakness.
Buttler block: Jos Buttler strikes at just 73 against Maheesh Theekshana. The mystery spinner remains Sri Lanka's primary hope of stifling the England captain.
"Heater": Pathum Nissanka is the man in form, recently becoming the second player to hit a T20 World Cup ton and an ODI double-century.
Death control: Sam Curran has been England's insurance policy, conceding just 8.25 runs per over at the death.
While the Kandy crowd will offer a passionate backdrop, the hosts are reeling from a shock group-stage loss to Zimbabwe. The absence of Pathirana (calf strain) and Hasaranga leaves a massive void in a bowling unit that was recently dismantled by England in bilateral play.
The outfield is not in the best of conditions, it’s going to be a challenge to be flashy and brilliant. We’ll have to have a second line of defense and back each other up.Sri Lanka's fielding consultant
Sri Lanka fielding consultant R Sridhar warned that his side must return to "schoolboy basics" due to a deteriorating outfield. Heavy rains in Pallekele have forced groundstaff to keep the rubberized-tarpaulin covers on for five consecutive days, leaving the grass patchy and the surface slippery.
Veteran leg-spinner Adil Rashid remains the barometer for England’s bowling success. While he was clinical against the West Indies (2 for 16), he was surprisingly expensive against Nepal. On a Pallekele deck expected to offer turn, Rashid’s ability to control the middle overs will be critical.
England’s tournament strategy leans heavily on spin, with Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks expected to chip in with vital overs. If Rashid can find the same rhythm that saw him claim five wickets at this venue last month, England will likely squeeze a Sri Lankan middle order that managed just 66 runs in its last ten-over mid-game stretch.
Record: England won 5 out of 6 matches during their recent warm-up tour of Sri Lanka.
Century club: Pathum Nissanka joins Chris Gayle as the only player with a T20 WC hundred and an ODI double-ton.
Spin dominance: England's Adil Rashid has taken 5 for 69 in 12 overs at this venue in 2026.
Replacement: Dilshan Madushanka joins the squad to replace the injured Pathirana.