England vs Sri Lanka 3rd T20I | Saturday, September 19, 2026 | Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
England and Sri Lanka meet again on Saturday as the three-match T20I series reaches its final game at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester.
England enter the match with the series already secured after consecutive victories in Southampton and Cardiff. The hosts won the opening T20I by 119 runs before completing a six-wicket victory in the second match, giving Harry Brook’s side an unassailable 2–0 series lead.
England vs Sri Lanka 3rd T20I: Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | England vs Sri Lanka, 3rd T20I |
| Date | Saturday, September 19, 2026 |
| Venue | Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester |
| Start time | 2:30 PM UK time |
| Format | T20 International |
| Series score | England lead 2–0 |
| England captain | Harry Brook |
| Series | Sri Lanka tour of England 2026 |
The England and Wales Cricket Board lists the third IT20 for a 2:30pm start at Emirates Old Trafford.
England Have Already Won the Series
England produced two convincing performances in the opening matches.
In Southampton, England won the first T20I by 119 runs. They followed that with another strong performance in Cardiff, chasing down Sri Lanka’s 145 for nine with six wickets in hand and 47 balls remaining.
The Cardiff victory also extended England’s winning run against Sri Lanka in T20 internationals to 14 consecutive matches.
England’s latest victory was built around a disciplined bowling performance before their batters finished the chase rapidly.
Tom Banton Becomes a Major Talking Point
One of the biggest stories coming into the final T20I is the form of Tom Banton.
Banton smashed an unbeaten 52 from 24 deliveries in Cardiff, helping England chase 146 with 7.5 overs remaining. His innings came after Jos Buttler scored 30 from 16 balls and Harry Brook contributed 23 from just eight deliveries.
Sky Sports analysis has highlighted Banton’s development after his transition from an opening role toward the middle order. His ability to attack both pace and spin has become an important feature of England’s current white-ball setup.
Jos Buttler Makes T20 History
England’s experienced wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler reached another major milestone in Cardiff.
Buttler became the first batter to reach 15,000 career T20 runs, adding another landmark to his already extensive record in the shortest format.
His experience remains one of the key components of England’s batting group as the team prepares to close out the series in Manchester.
Liam Dawson Impresses With the Ball
Liam Dawson was one of England’s most influential performers in the second T20I.
The experienced spinner claimed 3–32, including two important wickets during Sri Lanka’s promising opening phase. Sri Lanka had reached 56 without losing a wicket before England’s bowling attack regained control.
Sonny Baker also produced another economical spell, finishing with 1–15 from four overs, including a wicket maiden.
Jofra Archer, meanwhile, returned to the XI for the second match and took two wickets, including two wickets during the final over. The match was also his 50th T20 international appearance.
England Squad for the T20I Series
The ECB’s announced England T20 squad is:
- Harry Brook — Captain
- Jofra Archer
- Gus Atkinson
- Sonny Baker
- Tom Banton
- Jos Buttler
- James Coles
- Jordan Cox
- Liam Dawson
- Aneurin Donald
- Ben Duckett
- Will Jacks
- Saqib Mahmood
- Jamie Overton
- Adil Rashid
- Josh Tongue
The ECB confirmed that Aneurin Donald received his first England men’s senior white-ball call-up, while Jamie Overton returned to the white-ball squad. Phil Salt was unavailable because of a right quad injury, while Jacob Bethell was continuing rehabilitation after knee surgery.
Sri Lanka Face Another Tough Challenge
Sri Lanka will arrive at Old Trafford needing a significantly improved performance after two defeats.
In Cardiff, Sri Lanka made a fast start and reached 56 without loss, but England’s bowlers turned the innings around. Sri Lanka eventually finished on 145–9, with Pathum Nissanka making 37 from 21 balls.
Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka acknowledged after the second game that his team needs to improve considerably following England’s dominant performances.
The final T20I provides Sri Lanka with an opportunity to finish the series with a victory and carry momentum into the three-match ODI series.
What to Watch at Old Trafford
1. England’s batting depth
England have shown that they do not depend on one batter to win matches. Brook, Buttler, Banton and the wider batting group have all contributed during the opening two games.
2. Tom Banton’s continued form
After his unbeaten 52 in Cardiff, Banton will be one of the players attracting the most attention in Manchester.
3. Liam Dawson’s role
Dawson’s ability to control the middle overs could again be important, particularly if Sri Lanka’s top order attempts to attack early.
4. Jofra Archer
Archer returned to the side in Cardiff and made an immediate impact. His pace and experience remain important components of England’s T20 attack.
5. Sri Lanka’s response
With the series already decided, Sri Lanka’s main objective is to avoid a 3–0 defeat and build confidence before the ODI matches begin.
Recent Results: England vs Sri Lanka
1st T20I — Southampton
England won by 119 runs.
2nd T20I — Cardiff
England won by 6 wickets, chasing 146 with 47 balls remaining.
3rd T20I — Manchester
Saturday, September 19 — Emirates Old Trafford.
When and Where to Watch
The third T20I begins at 2:30pm UK time on Saturday, September 19. Sky Sports has confirmed live coverage of the match in the UK.
For readers in other countries, local broadcaster and streaming availability can vary by territory, so viewers should check their regional cricket broadcaster or official streaming provider before the match.
What Comes Next for England?
The Sri Lanka tour continues immediately after the T20I series with three ODIs.
England’s scheduled ODI fixtures are:
- September 22: England vs Sri Lanka — Riverside, Chester-le-Street
- September 24: England vs Sri Lanka — Headingley, Leeds
- September 27: England vs Sri Lanka — The Oval, London
The ECB lists the first ODI for a 12:30pm start, with the second also scheduled for 12:30pm and the final ODI beginning at 10:30am UK time.
England vs Sri Lanka: The Bigger Picture
England have already achieved their immediate objective by winning the T20I series with a game remaining. The Old Trafford fixture is therefore an opportunity to assess squad depth, maintain momentum and give players further match experience before the ODI series.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will be looking for a response after two defeats and will hope to use the final T20I to generate momentum ahead of the longer white-ball series.
With England leading 2–0, the final match is set to provide another test of Sri Lanka’s ability to compete against an England side that has displayed strong batting depth and an increasingly effective bowling attack during the opening two games.
Match: England vs Sri Lanka, 3rd T20I
Date: September 19, 2026
Venue: Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
Start: 2:30 PM UK time
Series: England lead 2–0
This article was updated using information available on September 18, 2026. Confirmed playing XIs, toss information, weather conditions and any late team changes should be added when officially announced.