Cricket expert Richard Mann delivers his verdict on England's T20 World Cup clash with Sri Lanka on Sunday morning.
Cricket tips: Sri Lanka v England
2pts Harry Brook top England batsman at 7/1 (BetMGM, Virgin Bet)
England return to Sri Lanka for Sunday’s (09:30) Super Eights clash with good memories, having beaten the hosts in both ODI and T20I series in the run-up to this T20 World Cup.
Sri Lanka have since given that form a boost, beating Australia to secure their place in the last eight, though they came unstuck against Zimbabwe on Thursday.
It’s not been plain sailing for England at this World Cup either. Underwhelming would be the term I’d use, though there is an old adage about not peaking too soon, and I wouldn’t judge England too harshly on their sole defeat to West Indies on a spinning pitch.
Michael Vaughan has suggested Harry Brook still has more to prove in the final stages of the World Cup. 🗣️
— Stick to Cricket (@StickToCricket) February 18, 2026
Could he be the man to help take England all the way? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/dD4kuTC6SK
Conditions in Pallekele are usually pretty good for batting, or at least the best of Sri Lanka’s international venues, and the home team chased 182 comfortably against Australia here last week.
That makes both teams score 170+ runs on Sunday interesting, though odds of 6/4 mean I’m happy enough to sit that one out.
England’s opening pair of Jos Buttler and Phil Salt are yet to set the tournament alight, with the former’s form of particular concern.
However, that does potentially open up the TOP ENGLAND BATSMAN market, with HARRY BROOK looking a big price at 7/1 when you consider he is now England’s premier white-ball batsman, and that he was outstanding in that aforementioned tour of Sri Lanka recently.
The downside is that he’s been batting down at number five, and I don’t expect that to change yet, for all it should.
Nevertheless, England could well lose early wickets again, and if they do, Brook is bang in the game.
It's always a sad moment for England fans when Jos Buttler gets out – especially this guy 😭 pic.twitter.com/w1QiO7DL8P
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) February 11, 2026
To my eye, Brook has cut a determined figure since the end of the Ashes, when his on-field struggles were compounded by a scandal off-the-field in New Zealand.
He appears keen to put that right, and Sunday would be a good place to start.
By now, the whole world knows about the talents of Pavan Rathnayake, and he was considered for top Sri Lanka batsman honours.
However, such is the form of opener Pathum Nissanka, I can’t bet here with confidence, instead preferring to buy Rathnayake runs in-play should he come to the crease with plenty of overs in front of him.
Posted at 16:15 GMT on 20/02/26
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