SL vs ENG Live, 1st ODI Today: Sri Lanka vs England Scorecard, Toss Result, Highlights & Streaming Details

Colombo, January 22 – Sri Lanka vs England (SL vs ENG) returns to the R. Premadasa Stadium today as the sides open a three-match ODI series that carries crucial ICC Super League points and much-needed morale ahead of this year’s T20 World Cup. First ball is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. local time (09:00 GMT), with television coverage on Sony Sports Network and live streaming via FanCode worldwide, while UK viewers can tune in on TNT Sports. Why this SL vs ENG clash matters • Rankings pressure: Sri Lanka sit fifth and England eighth in the ODI table; victory in Colombo would widen or close that gap, affecting direct qualification for the 2027 World Cup. • Captaincy auditions: Harry Brook leads England after a turbulent Ashes tour, while Charith Asalanka looks to cement control of a youthful Lankan outfit. • Spin duel: Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage test England’s travellers on a surface expected to assist turn, countered by Adil Rashid’s guile for the visitors. Confirmed England XI Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid. Likely Sri Lanka XI Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Asitha Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage. Form guide (last five ODIs) Sri Lanka LLLWW | England LLLWL Key battles to watch 1. Root vs Hasaranga – England’s anchor against Sri Lanka’s trump card in the middle overs. 2. Asalanka vs Rashid – the hosts’ in-form No. 5 against England’s most prolific white-ball spinner. 3. Death overs – Curran and Overton face Hasaranga’s late-order hitting on a ground where 280 is par. Pitch & weather A dry January day is forecast, but lingering monsoon moisture means afternoon showers remain a possibility. Historically, the Premadasa strip slows as the game progresses; teams batting first have won 60 percent of day-night ODIs here since 2020. Fantasy & betting tips • Pick two leg-spinners: Rashid and Hasaranga average under 25 at this venue. • Root has crossed 50 in three of his last five ODI innings in Asia. • Look for Curran’s left-arm variations to exploit right-hand heavy Lankan top order. Prediction Home advantage and superior spin depth give Sri Lanka a slight edge, but England’s experience means the result could hinge on the toss. Expect a tight contest with 270–290 likely to be a winning score. How to follow Live scorecards will be updated ball-by-ball on ESPNcricinfo and BBC Sport; hashtags #SLvENG, #Cricket and #SriLankavsEngland will trend across X (Twitter) throughout the day. Search-friendly takeaway For fans seeking “SL vs ENG live streaming,” “Sri Lanka vs England 1st ODI playing XI,” and “Premadasa pitch report,” today’s opener delivers high-stakes cricket, star power and the first real form guide for both nations in 2026.