Overview:
The R. Premadasa Stadium offers a balanced surface which is flat in nature but deteriorates as the match progresses.
Sri Lanka and England gear up for a three-match ODI series, starting January 22. All three ODIs will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Notably, the 2nd and 3rd ODIs of the series will be played on January 24 and January 27. After the ODI series ends, the two sides will play in a three-match T20 series, which is a warm-up ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup next month.
England’s last ODI series was back in November 2025 in New Zealand. Hosts New Zealand tamed the visitors 3-0. In the same month, Sri Lanka played a three-match ODI series against Pakistan and lost 0-3. So both sides come into this series wanting to start fresh and shrug off their respective whitewash series defeats.
England named a 15-member ODI squad versus Sri Lanka, with Harry Brook set to lead them. Notably, England handed a recall to Zak Crawley, who last played the 50-over format for his national team in 2023. Crawley made his ODI debut in 2021 and has since then made just 8 appearances.
England ODI squad
Harry Brook (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Luke Wood.
Sri Lanka named their ODI squad for the series a day ahead of the 1st clash on January 21. Charith Asalanka will lead the 17-member squad. Notably, the Lankans have named a strong squad to tackle England.
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Sri Lanka ODI squad
Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Pavan Rathnayake, Dhananjaya de Silva, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jeffrey Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Pramod Madushan, Eshan Malinga.
What is the H2H record between Sri Lanka and England?
Sri Lanka and England have faced each other 79 times in ODI cricket. Sri Lanka have claimed 37 wins with England managing 38. One match was tied, and three games have not had any results.
As per ESPNcricinfo, on Lankan soil, the two sides have clashed 26 times. Hosts Sri Lanka have claimed 16 wins compared to England’s 9. One game didn’t have a result.
At the R. Premadasa Stadium, the two teams have met 10 times. Sri Lanka have dominated with a 9-1 win-loss record.
Probable XI of both teams
Sri Lanka probable XI for the 3-match series: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Asitha Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga.
England probable XI for the 3-match series: Ben Duckett, Tom Banton, Joe Root, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood.
R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo & Key Details of the Stadium
The R. Premadasa Stadium is located in Colombo. It was known as the Khettarama Stadium until 1994. The stadium was established in 1986 and has a capacity of 35,000 people. The stadium hosted the ICC T20 World Cup 2012 final between Sri Lanka and the West Indies. Notably, the stadium recently hosted the ICC Women’s World Cup.
What is the Pitch like at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo?
The R. Premadasa Stadium offers a balanced surface which is flat in nature but deteriorates as the match progresses. The surface starts favouring spinners as the game wears on. The black-soil wicket provides consistent bounce early but becomes slower and grippier, assisting turn and variable bounce in the middle overs. Pacers get minimal seam or swing, especially under day-night conditions, making it a spinner’s paradise for subcontinental clashes.
Key Stats & Records at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
A total of 155 ODI matches have been played here. Sri Lanka have featured in 134 ODIs here, collecting 83 wins, 42 defeats (tied 1).
India hold the highest team total record here, scoring 375/5 in 50 overs versus Sri Lanka in 2017. Sri Lanka own the 2nd-highest ODI team total, scoring 366/6 against England in 2018. India own the next best scores in excess of 350 against Sri Lanka and Pakistan respectively.
Former Sri Lankan ace Sanath Jayasuriya owns the most runs (2514) at 38.67. Among active cricketers, Kusal Mendis has managed 1122 runs from 25 matches at 51. Meanwhile, skipper Asalanka owns 1008 runs at 53.05.
Former spin legend Mutthiah Muralidaran has picked the most wickets (75). Jayasuriya (60) and Lasith Malinga (52) are the others with 50-plus scalps. Among active players, Wanindu Hasaranga has collected 31 scalps at 18.12.
SL vs ENG: Weather Forecast – Will Rain Play a Role?
The weather in Colombo on Thursday is expected to be mostly sunny, with temperatures around 32°C. Meanwhile, the weather for the 2nd and 3rd ODI is also expected to be sunny and warm. No rainfall is predicted across the match days.
Sri Lanka vs England: Pitch Advantage for Which Side?
All things considered, both sides will be up for it on a surface that will help spin once the game progresses. Both teams are expected to go in with heavy spin options. Sri Lanka will be slightly ahead, given the series is at home, and they enjoy playing England here.
FAQs – Pitch Report for R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
What is the pitch report for R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
The R. Premadasa Stadium offers a balanced surface which is flat in nature but deteriorates as the match progresses. The surface starts favouring spinners as the game wears on. The black-soil wicket provides consistent bounce early but becomes slower and grippier, assisting turn and variable bounce in the middle overs. Pacers get minimal seam or swing, especially under day-night conditions, making it a spinner’s paradise for subcontinental clashes.
What is SL and ENG’s record at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo?
At the R. Premadasa Stadium, the two teams have met 10 times. Sri Lanka have dominated with a 9-1 win-loss record.