The third ODI between Sri Lanka and England will decide the series, which is currently tied 1–1. It will start on 27 January 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Sri Lanka won the first ODI by 19 runs but struggled in the second match, losing after being bowled out cheaply. England made a strong comeback in the second ODI and won the match by 5 wickets.
Spin bowling and smart batting will be key in this venue. Sri Lanka’s home advantage could help, but England’s experienced middle order makes this a tight contest.
England vs Sri Lanka 3rd Match Odds
Since the series is staying at 1-1 and Sri Lanka will play on its home ground, betting platforms are offering high odds on Sri Lanka’s win.
| Platform | ENG Win Odds | SL Win Odds | Toss Odds (ENG) | Toss Odds (SL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 1.66 | 2.22 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| Stake | 1.68 | 2.25 | 1.88 | 1.88 |
| 4RABET | 1.70 | 2.28 | 1.87 | 1.87 |
| BetVibe | 1.71 | 2.4 | 1.88 | 1.88 |
England vs Sri Lanka 3rd Match Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | ENG vs SL, 3rd ODI |
| Series | England Tour of Sri Lanka, 2026 |
| Date | January 27, Tuesday |
| Time | 02:30 PM Local |
| Venue | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
England vs Sri Lanka 3rd Match Squad
Let’s have a look at the 3rd and last ODI of the tour.
Sri Lanka Squad
Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis(w), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka(c), Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kamindu Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Milan Priyanath Rathnayake, Eshan Malinga
England Squad
Rehan Ahmed, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook(c), Jos Buttler(w), Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood, Brydon Carse, Tom Banton
Pitch Report of R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
R. Premadasa Stadium provides a good battle between bat and ball, hence it will make the decider worth watching.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Behaviour | The pitch tends to be slow, offering increasing help to spinners as the match goes on. New-ball bowlers can still extract some early movement. |
| Batting Conditions | Batters need to spend time at the crease early. Once set, scoring becomes easier, but boundary hitting requires well-timed shots. |
| Bowling Support | Pace bowlers enjoy early assistance, while spinners become the main threat during the middle and later stages of the game. |
| Ground Dimensions | The straight boundary measures around 86 metres, while square boundaries range between 63 and 67 metres. |
| Average 1st Innings Score (ODIs) | The average first-innings total is close to 239, and the lowest total defended is 203. |
| Toss and Dew Impact | Teams usually choose to bat first, as spin bowlers become more effective later, making run chases difficult. |
Weather Report
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | The temperature is around 31°C, which may cause fatigue in the afternoon. |
| Weather | A cloudy day with less sun exposure. |
| Precipitation | There is 25% chance of rain. |
| Humidity | The humidity will be 61%. |
| Wind | Wind speed will be 27 km/h. |
England vs Sri Lanka Head-to-Head In ODIs
SL and ENG have faced each other 79 times, with both teams winning 38 and 37 matches, respectively.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 79 |
| England Won | 38 |
| Sri Lanka Won | 37 |
| No Result | 03 |
| Tied | 01 |
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Key Players To Watch
These players will be the key to the series decider of the England Tour of Sri Lanka, 2026.
| Players | SA20 Stats |
|---|---|
| Adil Rashid (ENG) | 240 wickets in 160 matches at an economy of 5.61. |
| Joe Root (ENG) | 7466 runs in 188 games at an average of 48.79. |
| Jos Buttler (ENG) | 5515 runs in 198 games at an average of 39.11. |
| Pathum Nissanka (SL) | 2870 runs in 76 matches at an average of 40.42. |
| Charith Asalanaka (SL) | 2721 runs in 82 matches at an average of 42.51. |
| Dinuth Wellalage (SL) | 431 runs and 41 wickets in 33 games. |
