Jofra Archer has recovered from injury and has been selected in the England squad to face Sri Lanka in the first T20 on Friday.
The 30-year-old fast bowler missed the last two Tests of England’s 4-1 Ashes defeat due to a side injury and was not initially selected for the three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka.
Although expected to return for the T20 World Cup starting on February 8 between England and Nepal, Archer returned earlier than expected and went straight into the lineup for the series opener in Kandy.
Archer joins Jamie Overton and Sam Curran as seam bowling options, with England once again relying on a battery of spin options.
Ben Duckett missed his first T20 appearance after sustaining a bruise on his right index finger during the series-clinching victory in the third ODI in Colombo on Tuesday.
Archer missed the final two installments of the “Test of the Ashes” series.
Duckett, who has not played a T20 for England since last summer’s series against the West Indies, suffered the injury while taking a deep catch.
Jos Buttler will start on his record-equalling 401st appearance in an England shirt, while Tom Bunton will bat at number four.
full team
England squad to face Sri Lanka in Kandy: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Jacob Bethel, Tom Bunton, Harry Brook (captain), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.
England in Sri Lanka – Match results and fixtures
always UK and Ireland
Watch live text commentary for England’s three-match T20 series in Sri Lanka on the Sky Sports app, starting with Friday’s opener (1.30pm UK). Then watch the T20 World Cup live from 7 February on Sky Sports and watch England’s first match against Nepal in Kolkata on Sunday 8 February (9.30am UK).
