The 34-year-old all-rounder is making his first appearance in the 50-over format since the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 as Sri Lanka decided to bat first after winning the toss against England in the first ODI on Thursday afternoon in Colombo.
Apart from the inclusion of Test captain Dhananjaya de Silva, ODI skipper Charith Asalanka makes it into the XI, having missed the third ODI in Pakistan. Dunith Wellalage and Asitha Fernando are also included, while Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana and Eshan Malinga — all part of Sri Lanka’s previous ODI in Pakistan — miss out today. Star leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga is also rested, with the T20 World Cup just around the corner.
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For the visitors, Zak Crawley makes a comeback for the first time since December 2023. Will Jacks, who was named in the England playing XI announced two days ago, misses out due to illness, with 21-year-old Rehan Ahmed stepping in.
Playing XI
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (WK), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka (C), Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Sam Curran, Rehan Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid
