Cricket Tips: Sri Lanka vs England ODI Series
After a miserable Ashes Series, white-ball cricket returns for England as they head to Sri Lanka.
Three ODIs and three T20 international matches will take place as the traveling squad prepares for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Harry Brook leads the Lions on their first visit here since 2020/21, as they look to put poor ODI series against South Africa and New Zealand behind them with a victory. . Here, we look at the match and pick out three of the best bets for the first ODI and the series as a whole…
Tip 1 – Harry Brook over 30.5 runs in first ODI @ Evens
England may have lost the ODI Series in New Zealand 3-0 late last year but Harry Brook enjoyed a career high 135 in the match at Mount Maunganui.
A frustrating Ashes Series followed, where Brook would get himself set on multiple occasions, but could only convert promising starts into two half-centuries in 10 innings – he was dismissed in the 30s or 40s in five of those innings.
As opener, Brook will be tasked with getting England off to a solid start, something he has successfully done on multiple occasions for his country.
He is Evens to score over 30.5 runs in this one, something that is certainly worth a look.
The 26-year-old has hit over 30 in three of his last ODIs and, while he has never batted in Sri Lanka, he is more than capable of doing so once more.
With an ODI average of 36.56 and being the only England batsman to hit a century in New Zealand, we like the look of Brook getting the innings off to a flyer.
He will just have to hope his team-mates can follow.
Tip 2 – Over 10.5 sixes in first ODI @ Evens
England are capable of some blockbusting batting, despite their recent white-ball struggles.
With some explosive hitters throughout the order, their penchant for a boundary should never be overlooked – especially a six.
Brook was placed fourth for ODI maximums in 2025 with 20, having hit 11 in his 135 in New Zealand alone.
That would see Evens for over 10.5 sixes in the series opener come in… and there are more reasons to get behind this bet too.
England’s three ODIs in New Zealand saw 16, 12 and 12 sixes hit and, while the last few matches on this ground have just fallen short, Sri Lanka’s Janith Liyanage hit 14 of them last year, the 12th highest.
Quick scoring is very much part of England’s ethos and boundaries form a huge part of that.
A high score in the first match would help get back on track after a time to forget Down Under – we think they can do just that.
Tip 3 – Sri Lanka to win series 2-1 @ 9/5
England head into this series eighth in the ODI world rankings, three places below their hosts here and one place lower than Afghanistan.
Their only ODI series win in their last seven attempts was at home to the West Indies last summer, while away from home, they haven’t won a series since beating Bangladesh in 2022/23.
In positive news, their last defeat in Sri Lanka was over a decade ago and the travelling Lions may well feel they have something to prove after a disappointing period.
They have the talent. The likes of Brook, Joe Root, Brydon Carse and Ben Duckett all have the experience too, but Sri Lanka is not an easy place to go.
The hosts have won their last eight ODI series at home. Australia, New Zealand and world number one India have all fallen here, and England will be their latest victim.
It will be close, and the visitors should pick up a win along the way, but given the contrasting ODI form and the world rankings 9/5 for Sri Lanka to win the series 2-1 is well worth a look.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
