England and Sri Lanka lock horns in the second ODI at the iconic Headingley Stadium in Leeds, with first ball scheduled for 12:30 PM local time (5:00 PM IST). The hosts lead the three-match series 1-0 after a commanding 89-run victory in the series opener at Chester-le-Street on September 22, and they’ll be eager to seal an unassailable 2-0 lead on home soil.
Headingley traditionally offers a hard, true surface that rewards pace and bounce, especially under the lights. The average first-innings score at this venue in recent ODIs hovers around 225-235, with seamers extracting early movement and carry through the first 10-15 overs. Once the ball softens and the pitch settles, batting becomes more straightforward, though the shorter boundaries on one side mean power-hitters can clear the fence with relative ease. Spinners typically come into play through the middle overs, with left-arm orthodox and leg-spin both finding purchase as the ball grips.
Weather conditions in Leeds look mixed but playable. Thursday’s forecast calls for cloudy skies with temperatures around 18°C and a moderate chance of rain interruptions during the afternoon-evening session. Humidity could aid swing bowling early on, and teams may need to account for potential dew factor in the second innings. Captains winning the toss might lean toward bowling first to exploit early moisture, though chasing under lights with a known target remains attractive given the batting-friendly reputation of modern Headingley surfaces.
This second ODI carries significant weight for both camps. For England, a win would clinch the series with a match to spare, reinforcing their status as one of the top ODI sides heading into the 2027 World Cup cycle. Harry Brook’s men have looked sharp in all departments, with their top order firing and pace attack consistently troubling opposition batters. The 89-run margin in the first ODI reflected England’s dominance, as they posted a competitive total and then restricted Sri Lanka to just 176 all out.
SL vs ENG Match Details
Match/League/Season: 2nd ODI, Sri Lanka Tour of England 2026 Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026 Time: 12:30 PM BST (Local) | 5:00 PM IST Venue: Headingley, Leeds
SL vs ENG Live Streaming Info
- IndiaTV channels: Sony Sports Network (Sony Sports Ten 1 / Ten Cricket and related SD/HD channels)
- Live streaming: SonyLIV app and website
- Pakistan Live Streaming: Tapmad (digital)
- Sri Lanka TV channels: PEO Sports (PEO TV), Sony Sports 1 (HD ch. 320 / SD ch. 38), Ten Cricket (HD ch. 317 / SD ch. 44), Dialog TV
- Live streaming: SLT-Mobitel PEO TV, Dialog TV, and SonyLIV
- United Kingdom TV channels: Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports+sundayguardianlive+1
- Live streaming: Sky Go app, NOW (day or month membership), and in some cases free-to-air on Channel
The SL vs ENG 2nd ODI match will be live on Willow TV.
Live Score Info:
Sri Lanka vs England 2nd ODI 2026: ESPN and Cricbuzz have live scores.Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are desperate to get on the board and keep the series alive. The islanders showed glimpses of promise in the first ODI but ultimately fell short against England’s depth and quality. With Kusal Mendis leading from the front and younger batters like Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka looking to step up, this match represents a crucial opportunity to build momentum and test their combinations against top-tier opposition. A loss here would end their series hopes, adding extra pressure to perform.
Head-to-Head Summary
Total ODIs: 83 England Wins: 40 Sri Lanka Wins: 39 No Result/Tied: 4
Last Five Meetings:
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Sep 22, 2026 (Chester-le-Street): England won by 89 runs
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Jan 27, 2026 (Colombo, 3rd ODI): England won by 53 runs
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Jan 24, 2026 (Colombo, 2nd ODI): England won by 5 wickets
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Jan 22, 2026 (Colombo, 1st ODI): Sri Lanka won by 19 runs
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Earlier encounters in 2025 saw competitive contests, with England edging the bilateral series 2-1 in Sri Lanka
Team Analysis
England
Strengths:
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Explosive top order with Ben Duckett, Joe Root, and Harry Brook in rich form
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Deep batting lineup featuring Jos Buttler, Will Jacks, and Jamie Overton
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World-class pace trio of Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, and Josh Tongue
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Quality spin options in Rehan Ahmed and Adil Rashid (on bench)
Weaknesses:
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Middle order can be vulnerable if early wickets fall
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Occasional over-reliance on Buttler for finishing
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Spin attack less penetrative on flat pitches
Key Players:
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Harry Brook: Captain and in-form batter, capable of match-winning centuries
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Jos Buttler: Explosive finisher and experienced campaigner behind the stumps
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Jofra Archer: Raw pace and wicket-taking ability with the new ball
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Joe Root: Stability and acceleration in the middle overs, plus handy off-spin
Sri Lanka
Strengths:
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Experienced top order with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis
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Versatile all-rounders in Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka
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Quality pace attack led by Dushmantha Chameera and Asitha Fernando
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Left-arm spin threat from Dunith Wellalage in middle overs
Weaknesses:
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Batting depth concerns beyond top six
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Inconsistent middle-order contributions in recent ODIs
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Lack of genuine power-hitters for death overs
Key Players:
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Kusal Mendis: Captain and wicketkeeper-batter, crucial for stability and big scores
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Pathum Nissanka: Reliable opener who can anchor the innings
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Dushmantha Chameera: Express pace and new-ball wicket-taker
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Kamindu Mendis: Dynamic all-rounder offering balance with bat and off-spin
Probable Playing XIs
England Probable XI: Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Will Jacks, Rehan Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue
Sri Lanka Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Sachindu Colombage, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka
England hold a clear advantage given their superior recent form, home conditions, and a more settled batting lineup. Headingley’s pace-friendly surface suits their world-class seam attack, and the top order has shown consistency in building and finishing innings. Sri Lanka will need early breakthroughs and substantial contributions from their top three to stay competitive, but England’s depth makes them favorites to chase down any target or defend a par total.
England to win by 30-40 runs or 5-6 wickets if chasing. Expect a first-innings total in the 240-260 range, with the team batting second having a slight edge under lights despite potential dew.