The rivalry between England and Sri Lanka in international cricket has seen a diverse array of memorable matches, spanning Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
From their first-ever meeting in 1983 to their latest encounters, the England vs Sri Lanka cricket rivalry has been defined by exciting contests, dramatic comebacks, and individual brilliance.
Over the years, this rivalry has produced countless thrilling moments, with both teams showcasing their unique strengths and cricketing cultures.
In this blog, we will explore the history of England and Sri Lanka’s cricket encounters, providing a detailed timeline of their Test, ODI, and T20I matchups.
Whether it’s the tense moments of a Test series or the high-pressure excitement of an ODI or T20I clash, England vs Sri Lanka has always been a captivating rivalry.
A Brief History of England vs Sri Lanka Rivalry
The rivalry between England and Sri Lanka began in the early 1980s, with their first-ever encounter coming in 1983 during the Prudential Trophy, a One-Day International series.
Over the years, both teams have had their fair share of victories and setbacks, with England’s formidable cricketing tradition often facing the flair and resilience of Sri Lanka.
The 1996 Cricket World Cup remains one of the most iconic moments in this rivalry, as Sri Lanka triumphed in their first-ever World Cup victory, defeating Australia in the final.
This win, coupled with Sri Lanka’s exciting brand of cricket, made them a formidable force on the global stage. England, with their consistent performances, have often found themselves in close contests with Sri Lanka, especially in the shorter formats.
While England has often been the more dominant team in their encounters, Sri Lanka has had moments of brilliance that have kept the rivalry fierce and competitive.
The rivalry has also seen several notable individual performances, from England’s star players to Sri Lanka’s iconic figures such as Muttiah Muralitharan, Sanath Jayasuriya, and Kumar Sangakkara.
| Statistic | Test (1981-2024) | ODI (1973-2023) | T20I (2005-2023) |
| Span | 1981-2024 | 1973-2023 | 2005-2023 |
| Matches Played | 33 | 55 | 27 |
| Wins (England) | 14 | 28 | 21 |
| Wins (Sri Lanka) | 10 | 16 | 3 |
| Losses (England) | 7 | 23 | 3 |
| Losses (Sri Lanka) | 13 | 16 | 3 |
| Draws | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| No Result | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Win/Loss Ratio (England) | 2.00 | 1.22 | 7.00 |
| Win/Loss Ratio (Sri Lanka) | 0.77 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Win Percentage (England) | 42.42% | 50.91% | 77.78% |
| Win Percentage (Sri Lanka) | 30.30% | 29.09% | 11.11% |
| Loss Percentage (England) | 21.21% | 41.82% | 11.11% |
| Loss Percentage (Sri Lanka) | 39.39% | 29.09% | 11.11% |
| Draw Percentage | 6.06% | 0% | 0% |
Timeline of England vs Sri Lanka Matches
1. England vs Sri Lanka Test Matches Timeline
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Test matches between England and Sri Lanka have often produced exciting and competitive encounters.
England has generally had the upper hand in Test series, but Sri Lanka has occasionally turned the tables with memorable performances. Some of the key series are:
Here’s the table with the format you requested:
| Series/Tournament | Winner | Margin |
| England in Sri Lanka Test Match 1981/82 | England | 1-0 (1) |
| Sri Lanka in England Test Match 1984 | Drawn | 0-0 (1) |
| Sri Lanka in England Test Match 1988 | England | 1-0 (1) |
| Sri Lanka in England Test Match 1991 | England | 1-0 (1) |
| England in Sri Lanka Test Match 1992/93 | Sri Lanka | 1-0 (1) |
| Sri Lanka in England Test Match 1998 | Sri Lanka | 1-0 (1) |
| England in Sri Lanka Test Series 2000/01 | England | 2-1 (3) |
| Sri Lanka in England Test Series 2002 | England | 2-0 (3) |
| England in Sri Lanka Test Series 2003/04 | Sri Lanka | 1-0 (3) |
| Sri Lanka in England Test Series 2006 | Drawn | 1-1 (3) |
| England in Sri Lanka Test Series 2007/08 | Sri Lanka | 1-0 (3) |
| Sri Lanka in England Test Series 2011 | England | 1-0 (3) |
| England in Sri Lanka Test Series 2011/12 | Drawn | 1-1 (2) |
| Sri Lanka in England Test Series 2014 | Sri Lanka | 1-0 (2) |
| Sri Lanka in England Test Series 2016 | England | 2-0 (3) |
| England in Sri Lanka Test Series 2018/19 | England | 3-0 (3) |
| England in Sri Lanka Test Series 2020/21 | England | 2-0 (2) |
| Sri Lanka in England Test Series 2024 | England | 2-1 (3) |
2. England vs Sri Lanka ODI Matches Timeline
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ODIs between England and Sri Lanka have been filled with drama and high-scoring affairs. Sri Lanka has often punched above its weight, while England has been a consistent force, especially in the late 2000s and 2010s.
| Series/Tournament | Winner | Margin |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Oct 26, 2023 | Sri Lanka | 8 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jul 4, 2021 | No result | – |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jul 1, 2021 | England | 8 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jun 29, 2021 | England | 5 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jun 21, 2019 | Sri Lanka | 20 runs |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Oct 23, 2018 | Sri Lanka | 219 runs |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Oct 20, 2018 | England | 18 runs |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Oct 17, 2018 | England | 7 wickets |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Oct 13, 2018 | England | 31 runs |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Oct 10, 2018 | No result | – |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jul 2, 2016 | England | 122 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jun 29, 2016 | England | 6 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jun 26, 2016 | No result | – |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jun 24, 2016 | England | 10 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jun 21, 2016 | Tied | – |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Mar 1, 2015 | Sri Lanka | 9 wickets |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Dec 16, 2014 | Sri Lanka | 87 runs |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Dec 13, 2014 | Sri Lanka | 90 runs |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Dec 10-11, 2014 | England | 5 wickets |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Dec 7, 2014 | Sri Lanka | 6 wickets |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Dec 3, 2014 | England | 5 wickets |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Nov 29, 2014 | Sri Lanka | 8 wickets |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Nov 26, 2014 | Sri Lanka | 25 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jun 3, 2014 | Sri Lanka | 6 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, May 31, 2014 | Sri Lanka | 7 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, May 28, 2014 | England | 10 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, May 25, 2014 | Sri Lanka | 157 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, May 22, 2014 | England | 81 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jun 13, 2013 | Sri Lanka | 7 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jul 9, 2011 | England | 16 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jul 6, 2011 | England | 10 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jul 3, 2011 | Sri Lanka | 6 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jul 1, 2011 | Sri Lanka | 69 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jun 28, 2011 | England | 110 runs |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Mar 26, 2011 | Sri Lanka | 10 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Sep 25, 2009 | England | 6 wickets |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Oct 13, 2007 | Sri Lanka | 107 runs |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Oct 10, 2007 | England | 5 wickets |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Oct 7, 2007 | England | 2 wickets |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Oct 4, 2007 | England | 65 runs |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Oct 1, 2007 | Sri Lanka | 119 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Apr 4, 2007 | Sri Lanka | 2 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jul 1, 2006 | Sri Lanka | 8 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jun 28, 2006 | Sri Lanka | 33 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jun 24, 2006 | Sri Lanka | 8 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jun 20, 2006 | Sri Lanka | 46 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jun 17, 2006 | Sri Lanka | 20 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Sep 17-18, 2004 | England | 49 runs |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Nov 18, 2003 | Sri Lanka | 10 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jan 17, 2003 | England | 19 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jan 13, 2003 | Sri Lanka | 31 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Dec 20, 2002 | England | 95 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Dec 17, 2002 | England | 43 runs |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Jul 7, 2002 | Sri Lanka | 23 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jul 2, 2002 | England | 3 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jun 27, 2002 | England | 44 runs |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Mar 27, 2001 | Sri Lanka | 10 wickets |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Mar 25, 2001 | Sri Lanka | 66 runs |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Mar 23, 2001 | Sri Lanka | 5 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, May 14, 1999 | England | 8 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Feb 3, 1999 | Sri Lanka | 11 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jan 29, 1999 | England | 128 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jan 23, 1999 | Sri Lanka | 1 wicket |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jan 19, 1999 | England | 7 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jan 11, 1999 | England | 4 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Aug 20, 1998 | Sri Lanka | 5 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Aug 16, 1998 | England | 36 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Mar 9, 1996 | Sri Lanka | 5 wickets |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Mar 20, 1993 | Sri Lanka | 8 wickets |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Mar 10, 1993 | Sri Lanka | 32 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Mar 9, 1992 | England | 106 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Oct 15, 1989 | England | 5 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Sep 4, 1988 | England | 5 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Oct 30, 1987 | England | 8 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Oct 17, 1987 | England | 108 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jun 20, 1983 | England | 9 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jun 11, 1983 | England | 47 runs |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Feb 14, 1982 | Sri Lanka | 3 runs |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Feb 13, 1982 | England | 5 runs |
3. England vs Sri Lanka T20I Matches Timeline
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T20I matches between England and Sri Lanka have been thrilling encounters, often featuring big hitting and dramatic finishes.
These matches have seen both teams test their skills in the shortest format of the game.
| Series/Tournament | Winner | Margin |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Nov 5, 2022 | England | 4 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Nov 1, 2021 | England | 26 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jun 26, 2021 | England | 89 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jun 24, 2021 | England | 5 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jun 23, 2021 | England | 8 wickets |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Oct 27, 2018 | England | 30 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jul 5, 2016 | England | 8 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Mar 26, 2016 | England | 10 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, May 20, 2014 | Sri Lanka | 9 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Mar 27, 2014 | England | 6 wickets |
| Sri Lanka vs England, Oct 1, 2012 | Sri Lanka | 19 runs |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jun 25, 2011 | Sri Lanka | 9 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, May 13, 2010 | England | 7 wickets |
| England vs Sri Lanka, Jun 15, 2006 | Sri Lanka | 2 runs |
This table includes the Series/Tournament + Date, Winner, and Margin for each match in the requested format.
Key Moments in the England vs Sri Lanka Rivalry
Iconic Test Moments
- 1996 Test Series: Sri Lanka’s first-ever Test series win against England (1-0) in Sri Lanka was a historic achievement.
- 2003 Test Series: England’s dominant 2-0 victory in Sri Lanka, with memorable performances from Andrew Flintoff and Alec Stewart.
Memorable ODI Moments
- 1996 Cricket World Cup: Sri Lanka’s remarkable win over England in the 1996 World Cup quarter-finals helped them advance to the final and ultimately win the tournament.
- 2014 ODI Series: Sri Lanka’s thrilling 5-run win in the 3rd ODI at Old Trafford, which helped them level the series.
Thrilling T20 Encounters
- 2009 ICC T20 World Cup: England’s dramatic last-over win against Sri Lanka in the group stages, which set the tone for their eventual title win.
- 2014 T20I Series: Sri Lanka’s superb fightback to win the T20 series 2-1 in England.
Conclusion: The Future of the Rivalry
The rivalry between England and Sri Lanka has been full of ups and downs, with both teams playing exciting and unpredictable cricket.
As we look to the future, it’s clear that England’s aggressive, modern approach to the game will continue to clash with Sri Lanka’s ever-resilient spirit and flair.
While England may hold the edge historically, Sri Lanka’s unpredictable nature ensures that every encounter is worth watching.
Stay tuned for more updates, match reports, and statistics as this exciting rivalry continues to evolve and provide cricket fans with unforgettable moments!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When did England and Sri Lanka first play a Test match?
England and Sri Lanka first played a Test match in 1998.
What is the head-to-head record between England and Sri Lanka in ODIs?
As of 2023, England has won 38 of the 79 ODIs played against Sri Lanka, while Sri Lanka has won 35.
Has there been any memorable World Cup encounter between England and Sri Lanka?
Yes, the 1996 World Cup quarter-final, where Sri Lanka defeated England, remains one of the most iconic moments in the rivalry.
How many T20I matches have England and Sri Lanka played?
England and Sri Lanka have played 21 T20I matches, with England winning 11 and Sri Lanka winning 10.
Which team has the better win percentage in ODIs?
As of 2023, England has a slightly better win percentage in ODIs at 48.05%, compared to Sri Lanka’s 44.30%.
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