England confirm XI for first T20I against Sri Lanka; Donald to debut

England have confirmed their playing XI for the opening T20I against Sri Lanka in Southampton, with 29-year-old Aneurin Donald set to make his international debut.

England white-ball head coach Brendon McCullum confirmed that Donald will open the batting alongside Jos Buttler in the first T20I on September 15.

Donald, who replaced the injured Phil Salt in the squad, has scored 2,454 runs in 112 T20 matches at a strike rate of 172.21, including 18 half-centuries.

At 29, Donald will become England’s oldest batter to make his T20I debut since Dawid Malan in 2017.

Jofra Archer has been rested for the series opener, while Jamie Overton returns from injury.

England XI: Harry Brook (c), Aneurin Donald, Jos Buttler, Tom Banton, Jordan Cox, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Josh Tongue, Sonny Baker, Adil Rashid.

The three-match T20I series begins in Southampton on September 15, followed by matches in Cardiff on September 17 and Manchester on September 19. The teams will then contest a three-match ODI series. (Newswire)

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