England Test opener Zak Crawley is set to play his first ODI in over two years against Sri Lanka.
Zak Crawley set for first ODI since 2023
On Wednesday, England named their playing XI for the first of three ODIs against Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium, a day out from the game.
The top of the order sees England's Test pairing of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett re-united. While Duckett has been a regular in the 50-over format, Crawley has not played since the tour of West Indies in December 2023. Phil Salt, Jamie Smith and Will Jacks have all had a go at opening the batting in his absence. Salt was the preferred opening partner for Duckett at last year's Champions Trophy.
Harry Brook will lead the side, although the captain admitted pre-match that he had been close to losing his position following an alteraction with a bouncer in New Zealand last October. Jos Buttler will keep wickets, with three all-rounders in Jacks, Sam Curran and Jamie Overton in the side.
Read more: World Cup qualification on the line? Five talking points ahead of England's ODI series in Sri Lanka
Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson are the frontline spinners, with batters Jacob Bethell and Joe Root providing part-time left-arm and off-spin options respectively. Curran and Overton are the only seamers in the team.
An unenviable task awaits England on this tour; Sri Lanka have won nine ODI series on the bounce at home, and are unbeaten in 13 on home soil. Their last series defeat here was 2-1 to India in 2021. In addition, England have lost all of their last four ODI series on the road.
England playing XI for first ODI vs Sri Lanka:
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Joe Root
- Jacob Bethell
- Harry Brook (c)
- Jos Buttler (wk)
- Will Jacks
- Sam Curran
- Jamie Overton
- Liam Dawson
- Adil Rashid
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