England will hand a T20 international debut to Derbyshire batter Aneurin Donald in the series opener against Sri Lanka in Southampton on Tuesday night, live on Sky Sports.
The 29-year-old Welshman will partner Jos Buttler at the top of the order for a game that starts at 6.30pm UK time, with Phil Salt sitting out the three-match assignment due to a quad issue.
Donald thumped 489 runs, including four fifties, across 12 Vitality Blast matches this season, with his 37 sixes a tournament high.
The right-hander then impressed for Trent Rockets in The Hundred, including smoking 38 from 19 balls in the defeat to Buttler’s Manchester Super Giants in the final.
England coach Brendon McCullum also confirmed fast bowler Jofra Archer will be rested at the Utilita Bowl after his exertions in the Test series sweep over Pakistan.
Jofra Archer will be rested in Southampton after playing all three Tests against Pakistan
‘Donald has raw power and an incredible amount of talent’
On Donald, McCullum said: “Anerurin will open the batting with Jos, which is very exciting. He is a cricketer that has been on our radar for quite some time.
“He has a game where he can go from ball one, which is probably quite similar to Salty. He has got raw power and an incredible amount of talent.
“I am looking forward to seeing how he goes on the big stage. I am sure him and Jos will be a good combination.”
Brendon McCullum says Derbyshire batter Donald has ‘raw power’
Donald and Buttler are joined in the top six by captain Harry Brook, Tom Banton, Jordan Cox and Will Jacks, with all-rounders Jamie Overton and Liam Dawson at Nos 7 and 8 respectively ahead of seamers Josh Tongue and Sonny Baker and spinner Adil Rashid.
Jacob Bethell (knee) and Sam Curran (groin) are missing the series through injury.
McCullum said Tongue who, like Archer, played in all three Test match wins over Pakistan, is likely to be given a breather in the second game in Cardiff on Thursday.
The final T20 is at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday before England and Sri Lanka contest three one-day internationals, starting in Durham on Tuesday September 22.
Watch England’s white-ball games versus Sri Lanka live on Sky Sports Cricket, starting with the first T20 international at the Utilita Bowl on Tuesday (6pm on air, 6.30pm start). Latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract on NOW.
England vs Sri Lanka schedule
All times UK and Ireland; all games live on Sky Sports
- First T20 (Tuesday September 15) – Southampton (6.30pm)
- Second T20 (Thursday September 17) – Cardiff (6.30pm)
- Third T20 (Saturday September 19) – Old Trafford (2.30pm)
- First ODI (Tuesday September 22) – Durham (12.30pm)
- Second ODI (Thursday September 24) – Headingley (12.30pm)
- Third ODI (Sunday September 27) – The Kia Oval (10.30am)