England to tour SL for white-ball series ahead of 2026 T20 WC

England confirmed on Wednesday the dates for a white-ball tour of Sri Lank in January and February next year that will serve as part of their preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

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Harry Brook’s men will play the first of three one-day internationals on Jan. 22 -- two weeks after the scheduled fifth day of the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney, a match in which the multi-format batsman, now England's white-ball captain, is set to feature.

The ODI series in Sri Lanka ends on Jan. 27 with a three-game T20 campaign starting on Jan. 30 and ending on Feb. 3.

The venues for each match are to be confirmed by Sri Lanka Cricket.

The T20 World Cup will be jointly hosted by India, the reigning champions, and Sri Lanka in February and March.

Meanwhile, England's white-ball captain Harry Brook has lauded young fast bowler Sonny Baker for his ability to test top players, take wickets in heaps and pick hat-tricks, as he looks primed to get an international cricket debut against South Africa.