New Delhi, September 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
England have announced their Playing XI for the opening T20I of their three-match series against Sri Lanka, with Derbyshire wicketkeeper-batter Aneurin Donald set to make his international debut.
The 29-year-old Donald will open the innings alongside Jos Buttler in place of Phil Salt, who has been ruled out with a quadriceps injury.
Donald is known for his aggressive batting. In July 2017, aged 19, he equalled Ravi Shastri’s record for the fastest double century in first-class cricket while playing for Glamorgan. He was also part of England’s 2016 Under-19 World Cup squad alongside Sam Curran, Dan Lawrence and Saqib Mahmood.
His profile rose further after moving to Derbyshire in 2023. Donald caught the attention of England white-ball head coach Brendon McCullum with a stroke-filled 38 off 19 balls for Trent Rockets in the final of The Hundred, where he was his team’s top scorer as Manchester Super Giants won the title.
England will also be without Jacob Bethell and Sam Curran for the white-ball series, with Bethell recovering from a knee injury and Curran sidelined by a groin problem.
Jordan Cox returns to the T20I side for the first time since October 2025, while Gus Atkinson and Ben Duckett, who were recalled to the squad, miss out on the Playing XI for the opener.
Jofra Archer, despite being named in both white-ball squads, is also absent from the XI. Sonny Baker is set to make his second T20I appearance after making his international debut against Ireland in Dublin last year.
The first T20I will be played in Southampton on Monday, with the second and third matches scheduled for Cardiff on Thursday and Manchester on Saturday.
The three-match ODI series will begin on September 22 in Chester-le-Street, followed by matches in Leeds on September 24 and at The Oval on September 27.
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