England Lions selectors have confirmed a 20-player squad for a two-match IT20 series against Sri Lanka, with fixtures scheduled on September 11 and September 13, 2026. The opening game will be held at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground in Chelmsford, while the second match moves to the County Ground in Beckenham.
Seven members of the Lions group have simultaneously been included in England Men’s white-ball squads for the Sri Lanka tour. Tom Banton, James Coles, Aneurin Donald, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton and Saqib Mahmood are part of the England Men’s T20 squad, with Henry Crocombe selected in the ODI squad. England Men open their Vitality IT20 campaign against Sri Lanka on September 15 at the Utilita Bowl, meaning the Lions fixtures serve as direct preparation for the senior series.
The broader 20-player group also features capped England internationals Mason Crane, Tom Hartley and Luke Wood. Three players who helped the Young Lions reach the ICC Under-19 Men’s World Cup final earlier in 2026, namely Caleb Falconer, Ben Mayes and Joe Moores, have also been included. Selectors have structured the extended squad to balance senior preparation with development opportunities for emerging talent, working around Rothesay County Championship commitments.
Who is leading the Lions coaching setup for this series?
Jonathan Trott takes charge as Head Coach for both IT20 fixtures against Sri Lanka. He will be supported by a coaching panel comprising Troy Cooley, Graeme Swann, Ravi Bopara and Carl Hopkinson. The breadth of experience across that group reflects the dual purpose of the series, which is intended to sharpen senior players ahead of the England Men’s tour while simultaneously providing a structured environment for those pushing for higher honours.
Several players yet to earn a senior England cap have been included alongside the more established names. Jafer Chohan, Eddie Jack, Ben McKinney, Matthew Revis, James Sales and Oliver Sykes all feature, drawn from counties including Yorkshire, Hampshire, Durham and Surrey. Paul Walter of Essex also forms part of the uncapped contingent, adding further county depth to the group.
Falconer, Mayes and Moores bring additional youth to the squad following their involvement in the Young Lions’ run to the Under-19 World Cup final, and their selection signals that the Lions setup is keen to integrate promising talent at the earliest opportunity. The extended squad format allows selectors to give game time to this next wave of players without disrupting county commitments in the Rothesay County Championship.
England Lions full squad for IT20 series against Sri Lanka:
Tom Banton, Jafer Chohan, James Coles, Mason Crane, Henry Crocombe, Aneurin Donald, Caleb Falconer, Tom Hartley, Eddie Jack, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Ben Mayes, Ben McKinney, Joe Moores, Jamie Overton, Matthew Revis, James Sales, Oliver Sykes, Paul Walter, Luke Wood
Get every cricket updates! Follow Us:
