England vs Sri Lanka Head-to-Head Record: Complete Match History & Results

The rivalry between England and Sri Lanka has produced some memorable moments in international cricket. From their first meeting in 1982 to modern-day contests across Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), both teams have delivered impressive performances.

England have traditionally enjoyed success in Test cricket and T20Is, while Sri Lanka have remained highly competitive in ODIs. Their rivalry includes historic World Cup encounters, dramatic run chases, individual batting records, and exciting bilateral series.

Some of the most memorable moments include Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup quarter-final victory, their successful chase against England in the 2011 World Cup, and the 2014 T20 World Cup final, where Sri Lanka lifted the trophy.

Let's explore the England vs Sri Lanka head-to-head record, complete match history, format-wise statistics, memorable encounters, and major cricket records.

England vs Sri Lanka Head-to-Head Record in All Formats

England and Sri Lanka have played 147 men's international matches across Test, ODI, and T20I cricket through October 30, 2026.

England have won 79 matches, while Sri Lanka have registered 53 victories. The remaining matches include Test draws, an ODI tie, and no-results.

England have the overall advantage in this rivalry, particularly in Test and T20I cricket. However, the ODI record is much closer, with only three victories separating the teams.

England vs Sri Lanka Test Match History (1982–2026)

The Test rivalry between England and Sri Lanka began in February 1982. Their first-ever Test match was played at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium in Colombo.

England won the inaugural encounter by seven wickets, establishing an early advantage in the longest format.

1982: First Test Match Between England and Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka hosted England for their first Test meeting from February 17 to February 21, 1982.

England won the match by seven wickets after successfully chasing the target in the fourth innings. This encounter marked an important milestone for Sri Lankan cricket as the country continued establishing itself in international Test cricket.

1993: Sri Lanka Registered a Historic Test Victory

Sri Lanka secured an important five-wicket victory against England in March 1993 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo.

This was Sri Lanka's first Test victory against England and an important achievement in their growing international cricket journey.

1998: Sri Lanka Won at The Oval

One of Sri Lanka's most memorable Test performances against England came in August 1998.

At The Oval, Sri Lanka produced an outstanding batting performance, scoring 591 runs in their first innings. England struggled to compete with the visitors and lost the match by ten wickets.

This victory demonstrated Sri Lanka's growing strength in overseas Test cricket.

2003: Sri Lanka Registered a Massive Innings Victory

Sri Lanka dominated England during the third Test of the 2003 series at Colombo.

After England scored 265 and 148 in their two innings, Sri Lanka posted a remarkable 628/8 declared. The hosts won by an innings and 215 runs, recording one of their biggest victories against England.

2014: Sri Lanka Won the Test Series in England

Sri Lanka achieved another major milestone during their 2014 tour of England.

The first Test at Lord's ended in a draw, but Sri Lanka bounced back in the second match at Headingley. They defeated England by 100 runs to secure the two-match series 1-0.

2018: England Completed a Test Series Sweep in Sri Lanka

England produced an excellent performance during their 2018 tour of Sri Lanka.

The visitors won the three-match Test series 3-0, securing victories in Galle, Pallekele, and Colombo. Their impressive spin bowling and disciplined batting played important roles in the series success.

2024: England Won the Home Test Series

England hosted Sri Lanka for a three-match Test series in August and September 2024.

England won the opening two matches at Manchester and Lord's to take an unassailable lead. Sri Lanka responded with a victory in the third Test at The Oval, winning by eight wickets.

England eventually secured the series 2-1.

The 2024 series was the latest Test chapter in this rivalry through October 2026.

England vs Sri Lanka ODI Match History (1982–2026)

England and Sri Lanka played their first One Day International on February 13, 1982, at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo.

England won the inaugural ODI by five runs. Since then, the teams have competed in bilateral series and several major ICC tournaments.

Sri Lanka have been particularly successful in important World Cup encounters, while England have maintained a narrow overall advantage in ODI cricket.

1983: First World Cup Meeting

England and Sri Lanka faced each other for the first time in the Cricket World Cup during the 1983 tournament.

England scored 333/9, with David Gower producing an excellent 130-run innings. Sri Lanka were unable to chase the target, and England won by 47 runs.

1996: Sri Lanka Won the World Cup Quarter-Final

Sri Lanka produced a memorable performance against England in the 1996 Cricket World Cup quarter-final.

England scored 235 runs, but Sri Lanka chased the target comfortably, winning by nine wickets.

Sanath Jayasuriya played an important role with an aggressive 82-run innings, helping Sri Lanka advance to the semifinals.

Sri Lanka eventually won the tournament by defeating Australia in the final.

2006: England Won the ODI Series 5-0

England dominated Sri Lanka during their 2006 home ODI series.

The hosts won all five matches, completing a 5-0 whitewash. It remains one of England's most dominant bilateral ODI performances against Sri Lanka.

2011: Sri Lanka Won the World Cup Quarter-Final

The 2011 Cricket World Cup quarter-final between England and Sri Lanka was another memorable encounter.

England posted 229 runs, but Sri Lanka chased the target without losing a wicket.

Tillakaratne Dilshan scored an unbeaten 108, while Upul Tharanga contributed 102 not out. Sri Lanka won by ten wickets and progressed to the semifinals.

2014–15: Sri Lanka Won the ODI Series

Sri Lanka hosted England for a seven-match ODI series during 2014–15.

The hosts delivered a strong performance and won the series 5-2, demonstrating their dominance in home conditions.

2019: Sri Lanka Defeated England in the World Cup

One of the biggest surprises of the 2019 Cricket World Cup occurred when Sri Lanka defeated England by 20 runs at Headingley.

Sri Lanka scored 232/9, while England managed only 212 runs in their chase.

Lasith Malinga delivered an outstanding bowling performance, taking four wickets and helping Sri Lanka defend their total.

2023: Sri Lanka Defeated England in Bengaluru

During the 2023 Cricket World Cup, Sri Lanka defeated England by eight wickets at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

England were bowled out for 156 runs, while Sri Lanka chased the target comfortably in 25.4 overs.

This victory continued Sri Lanka's impressive record against England in Cricket World Cup encounters.

2026: England and Sri Lanka Played Multiple ODI Series

The 2026 calendar featured several ODI meetings between the two teams.

In January, England toured Sri Lanka for a three-match series. Sri Lanka won the opening match by 19 runs, but England bounced back to win the remaining two matches and secured the series 2-1.

During Sri Lanka's September tour of England, the hosts again won the three-match series 2-1.

The teams also met in the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series in October. Sri Lanka defeated England by two wickets on October 22 after successfully chasing 430 runs. England responded on October 29, scoring 386/5 before bowling Sri Lanka out for 331 to win by 55 runs.

These results added another competitive chapter to the ODI rivalry.

England vs Sri Lanka T20I Match History (2006–2026)

England and Sri Lanka played their first T20 International on June 15, 2006, at the Rose Bowl in Southampton.

Sri Lanka won the inaugural match by two runs, starting the shortest-format rivalry with a memorable victory.

However, England have dominated the overall T20I head-to-head record, winning 17 of their 21 meetings.

2006: First T20I Between England and Sri Lanka

The first T20I between these teams took place during Sri Lanka's tour of England in 2006.

Sri Lanka successfully defended their total and defeated England by two runs in a closely contested encounter.

2012: Sri Lanka Won the T20 World Cup Group Match

Sri Lanka defeated England during the 2012 ICC T20 World Cup in Pallekele.

The hosts won by 19 runs after producing a strong batting performance and restricting England during the chase.

2014: Sri Lanka Won the T20 World Cup Final

One of the biggest moments in this rivalry came during the 2014 ICC T20 World Cup final in Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka faced India in the final after defeating England earlier in the tournament's Super 10 stage. Sri Lanka won the final against India by six wickets to claim their first men's T20 World Cup title.

Their victory in the tournament remains a landmark achievement in Sri Lankan cricket history.

2021: England Dominated the T20I Series

England hosted Sri Lanka for a three-match T20I series in June 2021.

England won all three matches, completing a 3-0 series whitewash. Their batting and bowling performances highlighted the gap between the teams in that series.

2022: England Won the T20 World Cup Encounter

England and Sri Lanka met during the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup in Sydney.

England chased Sri Lanka's target of 142 runs and won by four wickets. The victory helped England progress to the semifinals, and they eventually lifted the trophy.

2026: England Maintained Their T20I Dominance

England and Sri Lanka played several T20I matches during 2026.

England won the three-match series in Sri Lanka in January and February, completing a 3-0 sweep.

They met again in September during Sri Lanka's tour of England. England won all three matches, including a 119-run victory in the opening T20I.

The results strengthened England's advantage in the overall T20I head-to-head record.