England vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI Preview: Hosts Aim to Wrap Up Series at Headingley

England will look to take an unassailable lead when they face Sri Lanka in the second ODI at Headingley on Thursday, September 24. Harry Brook’s side won the opener by 89 runs at Chester-le-Street, leaving Sri Lanka needing a major response to keep the three-match series alive.

The England vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI starts at 4:30 PM PKT. With Headingley expected to offer early movement for the seamers before becoming better for batting, both teams will need to adapt quickly to the conditions.

England vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI Preview

England arrives in Leeds with confidence after controlling large parts of the opening game. Their batting lineup combined stability with aggression, while Will Jacks produced a match-winning all-round display.

Harry Brook scored 67 in the first ODI, while Joe Root contributed 44 during England’s innings. Jacks then added an unbeaten 46 to help England reach 265 before returning with the ball to dismantle Sri Lanka's chase.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 176, despite useful contributions from Kusal Mendis and Dunith Wellalage. Their batting will need to show greater consistency in Leeds, particularly against England’s pace attack.

A second England victory would settle the ODI series, while Sri Lanka must win to take the contest into a deciding third match.

England vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI Summary 

England won the opening ODI by 89 runs after posting 265 all out in 48.1 overs at Chester-le-Street.

Brook led the middle order with 67 from 69 balls, while Root made 44. Jacks provided the late acceleration with an unbeaten 46 after England lost wickets during the middle overs.

Sri Lankan debutant Sachindu Colombage impressed with 3/44, but his side struggled to build momentum during the chase. Kusal Mendis top-scored with 42, while Wellalage added a quick 45 from 36 balls.

Jacks then produced the defining spell of the match. The off-spinner claimed five wickets for 22 runs, including three wickets in four deliveries, as Sri Lanka collapsed to 176 in 37 overs.

England vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI Key Match Details

• Match: England vs Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI
• Venue: Headingley, Leeds
• Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
• Time: 4:30 PM PKT
• Series Score: England lead 1-0
• England Captain: Harry Brook
• Sri Lanka Captain: Kusal Mendis

England vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI Key Player Battles

Jofra Archer vs Pathum Nissanka

Archer did not take a wicket in the first ODI but generated considerable pace and pressure. Nissanka will be central to Sri Lanka's plans at the top of the order and will need to negotiate England's quicks during the early overs.

Joe Root vs Sachindu Colombage

Colombage was one of Sri Lanka's positives from the opener after claiming three wickets. Root's experience against spin gives England an important counter, particularly if the leg-spinner operates during the middle overs.

Will Jacks vs Charith Asalanka

Jacks enters the second ODI after contributing with both bat and ball. Asalanka, meanwhile, will need to provide stability in Sri Lanka's middle order and prevent Jacks from controlling the scoring rate with his off-spin.

England vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI Predicted Playing XIs

England Expected XI

Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (C), Jos Buttler, Will Jacks, Rehan Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue

Sri Lanka Expected XI

Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis (C), Pavan Rathnayake, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Sachindu Colombage, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka

Watch England vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI on tapmad

Cricket fans can follow the ENG vs SL 2nd ODI live on tapmad and stay updated with the action from Headingley. The platform provides live cricket coverage along with highlights and important moments from the series. 

• Watch live cricket in HD quality.
• Stream matches across supported devices.
• Catch match highlights and key moments.
• Follow live cricket action throughout the series.