Whitewash beckons for Sri Lanka ahead of Old Trafford finale as England dominate T20I series
England v Sri Lanka | 3rd T20I | Saturday 19th September | Old Trafford, Manchester | 03:30pm
Saturday’s game is the third and final T20I of the series. Having won both the first two games (in convincing fashion) England already have the series in the bag.
Once the T20I series is completed the sides are set to face each other three ODIs.
The last time Sri Lanka beat England in a T20I was in 2014 at the Oval. Since then, they have gone 14 games without tasting victory over England.
Sri Lanka have beaten England in just four of the 20 T20Is they have played.
These two sides have never experienced a tie or a No Result when they have faced each other in a T20I.
England are currently the world’s second ranked T20I side while Sri Lanka are ninth.
England have three batters in the ICC’s top ten of the T20I world rankings. Phil Salt is at four, Jos Buttler is at seven, and Harry Brook is at nine. For Sri Lanka, Pathum Nissanka is their sole representative in the top ten – he comes in at six.
England are set to be without three key players for the series with Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell and Sam Curran all missing the Sri Lanka visit with muscle injuries. In the absence of the injured trio England have called up Aneurin Donald and Henry Crocombe. Crocombe has yet to feature but Donald has made starts at the top of the order in each of the first two games.
Another ‘new’ face in the England squad for the series will be former star Kevin Pietersen who has been brought in by coach Brendon McCullum to act as a batting mentor as England build towards the World Cup. He has already made an impact with Harry Brooke crediting his influence on his stellar knock in the first T20I.
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Saturday will be just the 15th T20I to be played at Old Trafford.
Sri Lanka have never previously played a T20I at the venue.
England have a good record at Old Trafford having lost just three times at the ground in 14 games.
The weather is frequently an issue in Manchester with three of the 14 T20Is played at the ground ending as No Result.
There is little to choose between batting first and batting second at Old Trafford. On winning the toss Six skippers have elected to bat first while eight have opted to field.
The side that bats first has won on four occasions and the side that fields first has won seven times.
The average first innings score at the ground is 162.
The highest score recorded at the venue was England’s 304/2 from 20 overs scored against South Africa in 2025.
The lowest score recorded in a completed innings at the venue was New Zealand’s 103 all out in 13.5 overs back in 2023.
The highest score successfully chased at the venue was England’s 199 for five from 19.1 overs made against Pakistan in 2020.
Weather:
On Saturday afternoon Manchester is expected to experience mostly cloudy to partly sunny skies between. Temperatures will hover comfortably at a mild 18 degrees. Fortunately, there is only a low chance of light rain at around 15 percent, ensuring a largely dry window for cricket. However, a noticeable westerly breeze will keep the autumn air feeling quite fresh.
Form (most recent game first):
England: W, W, W, W, W.
Sri Lanka: L, L, L, W, L.
Last five games head-to-head: Eng, Eng, Eng, Eng, Eng.
Key player:
England, Tom Banton: Tom Banton enters Saturday’s clash at Old Trafford in excellent form, fresh off a match-winning, unbeaten 52 from just 24 balls in Cardiff. His robust 147.23 T20I strike rate highlights an aggressive skill set defined by 360-degree innovation. With two prior half-centuries against Sri Lanka in 2026, including a crucial 54* in February, and a solid 39 at this very venue against India in July, Banton will be a key player for England as they look to seal the whitewash.
Sri Lanka, Charith Asalanka: Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka stands as his team’s anchor and premier middle-order weapon. A composed left-hander with 1,466 T20I runs to his name, he has provided stability and calm in the midst of a struggling batting unit. He hit a gritty 31 against England on Thursday, a score that was a repeat of his knock against England earlier this year. Asalanka’s skill set pairs situational awareness with impactful part-time off spin. Looking to avoid a series whitewash, his leadership and ability to counter England’s spinners will be central to Sri Lanka’s chances at Old Trafford.
Verdict: England
England have pummelled Sri Lanka in the opening two games recording wins of 119 runs and of six wickets. They have scarcely looked troubled, cantering to victory on Thursday with 47 balls to spare. Sri Lanka have the Asia Games on the horizon, and it is hard to feel like they are 100 percent focussed on the task at hand. Expect them to lose well again Saturday.
