The cricket rivalry between England and Sri Lanka has lasted over four decades across all three international formats. Since their first match in 1982, these two teams have played each other regularly in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. This article covers their complete head-to-head record, format-wise performance, tournament records, biggest wins, and recent form. Whether you want to know about overall dominance or current trends, this breakdown gives you the full picture of how these teams match up.
England vs Sri Lanka: Overall Head-to-Head Record
The overall record shows different stories across formats. England leads clearly in Tests and T20Is, while the ODI battle is perfectly balanced, with both teams winning the same number of matches.
| Format | Matches | England Won | Sri Lanka Won | Tied | No Result | Draw |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 39 | 19 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| ODIs | 80 | 38 | 38 | 1 | 3 | – |
| T20Is | 14 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | – |
| Total | 133 | 67 | 51 | 1 | 3 | 11 |
ENG vs SL Format-Wise Records
The rivalry looks different in each format. England is stronger in Tests and T20Is, but the ODI contest remains even between both teams.
ENG vs SL Test Head-to-Head Record
England leads the longest format with 19 wins against Sri Lanka’s 9 between 1982 and 2024. The 11 drawn matches show that both teams have played competitive cricket even when results did not come.
| Matches | England Won | Sri Lanka Won | Draw | Tied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 19 | 9 | 11 | 0 |
ENG vs SL ODI Head-to-Head Record
The ODI record from 1982 to 2026 is perfectly balanced. Both teams have won exactly 38 matches each, with 1 tied game and 3 no results. This makes it one of the most evenly matched bilateral ODI contests in cricket.
| Matches | England Won | Sri Lanka Won | Tied | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 38 | 38 | 1 | 3 |
ENG vs SL T20I Head-to-Head Record
England leads the shortest format with 10 wins from 14 matches between 2006 and 2022. Sri Lanka has managed just 4 victories in this period.
| Matches | England Won | Sri Lanka Won | Tied | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
ICC Tournament Head-to-Head Records
Looking at major ICC tournaments shows how these teams perform under pressure in global events.
T20 World Cup Head-to-Head Record
England has a strong record in T20 World Cups against Sri Lanka, winning 5 out of 6 encounters. Sri Lanka has won just 1 match in this tournament. England’s highest score is 190 while Sri Lanka’s best is 189. The lowest scores are 132 for England and 128 for Sri Lanka.
| Matches | England Won | Sri Lanka Won | Tied | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
ODI World Cup Head-to-Head Record
England and Sri Lanka have faced each other in 12 matches in the ODI World Cup. Both teams have won 6 matches each.
| Matches | England Won | Sri Lanka Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 06 | 06 | 0 |
Champions Trophy Head-to-Head Record
England and Sri Lanka have faced each other in 3 matches in ICC Champions Trophy tournaments. England has won 2 of these games while Sri Lanka has come out on top once.
| Matches | England Won | Sri Lanka Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Biggest Wins & Memorable Matches – ENG vs NZ
Both teams have recorded big wins when conditions suited them and their form was strong.
In Tests, Sri Lanka recorded their biggest win by an innings and 215 runs at Colombo (SSC) on 18 December 2003. England’s best came by an innings and 111 runs at Birmingham on 30 May 2002.
| Match Type | Year | Winner | Margin | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 2003 | Sri Lanka | inns & 215 runs | Colombo (SSC) |
| Test | 2002 | England | inns & 111 runs | Birmingham |
| ODI | 2018 | Sri Lanka | 219 runs | Colombo (RPS) |
| ODI | 2014 | Sri Lanka | 157 runs | Chester-le-Street |
| T20I | 2021 | England | 89 runs | Southampton |
| T20I | 2018 | England | 30 runs | Colombo (RPS) |
Sri Lanka’s 219-run ODI win in Colombo on 23 October 2018 is their biggest victory in the 50-over format. England’s largest T20I win came by 89 runs at Southampton on 26 June 2021.
Recent Form Comparison
England and Sri Lanka have shared wins in their last few meetings, with results often depending on the format and conditions. England enjoyed success in the 2024 Test series with disciplined bowling and strong fourth-innings control, while Sri Lanka have looked far more comfortable in white-ball games, especially when the pitch offers grip and slows down. The most recent ODI meeting in January 2026 also went Sri Lanka’s way, showing their ability to handle pressure moments better in subcontinent conditions.
Overall, the recent trend suggests England still have the quality to bounce back, but Sri Lanka’s form at home, along with their stronger spin options, gives them a slight edge when the surface starts turning.
| Date | Format | Match | Winner | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 22, 2026 | ODI | SL vs ENG | Sri Lanka | Won by 19 runs |
| Sep 6 to 9, 2024 | Test | ENG vs SL | Sri Lanka | Won by 8 wickets |
| Aug 29 to Sep 1, 2024 | Test | ENG vs SL | England | Won by 190 runs |
| Aug 21 to 24, 2024 | Test | ENG vs SL | England | Won by 5 wickets |
| Oct 26, 2023 | ODI | ENG vs SL | Sri Lanka | Won by 8 wickets |
England has won 2 of the last 5 matches while Sri Lanka has won 3. The recent results show both teams trading wins depending on format and conditions.
When Will Sri Lanka and England Clash Next?
The England tour of Sri Lanka 2026 is currently ongoing and features 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is, running from January 22 to February 03, 2026. Sri Lanka have already taken an early lead in the ODI series after winning the opening match in Colombo, which means England now head into the remaining games under pressure to stay alive in the contest.
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 22, 2026 | 1st ODI | Colombo (R. Premadasa Stadium) | 2:30 PM |
| Jan 24, 2026 | 2nd ODI | Colombo (R. Premadasa Stadium) | 2:30 PM |
| Jan 27, 2026 | 3rd ODI | Colombo (R. Premadasa Stadium) | 2:30 PM |
| Jan 30, 2026 | 1st T20I | Pallekele Int’l Stadium | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 01, 2026 | 2nd T20I | Pallekele Int’l Stadium | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 03, 2026 | 3rd T20I | Pallekele Int’l Stadium | 7:00 PM |
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Conclusion: England leads the England vs Sri Lanka Rivalry
Overall, England currently hold the advantage in the England vs Sri Lanka rivalry across formats. They are ahead in both Tests (19 wins) and T20Is (10 wins), showing stronger consistency in the longest and shortest formats.
However, the ODI head-to-head remains perfectly balanced, with both teams winning 38 matches each, which proves that Sri Lanka have consistently matched England in 50-over cricket.
Going forward, the format and conditions will remain the biggest deciding factors. England tend to benefit more when pace plays a role, while Sri Lanka become far more dangerous when the surface slows down and spin comes into the contest.
