The opening game of the Women’s World Cup 2026 will take place on June 12 in Edgbaston, Birmingham, between the women of England and Sri Lanka.
England, who are playing at home, are among the favorites to win the tournament and will be keen to start their campaign with a resounding triumph. With seasoned and influential players like Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Alice Capsey, Charlotte Dean, Amy Jones, and Lauren Bell, the hosts have a well-rounded team.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan women would want to leave a lasting impression on the international scene. The team, which is led by the seasoned Chamari Athapaththu, consists of both young and talented players. As Sri Lanka looks to challenge the hosts, players like Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Sugandika Kumari, and Kaushani Nuthyangana will likely play important roles.
ENG W vs SL W: Match Details
| Match | England Women vs Sri Lanka Women, Match 1, Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Date and Time (IST) | Friday, June 12, 2026, 11:00 PM (IST) |
| Venue | Edgbaston, Birmingham |
| Broadcast and Live Streaming | JioStar Network Channels and JioHotstar (App & Website) |
Edgbaston, Birmingham: Pitch Report
The Edgbaston surface in Birmingham is expected to offer a balanced contest between bat and ball. Batters are likely to enjoy favourable conditions in the early stages, with the pitch providing good pace and bounce, allowing the ball to come nicely onto the bat and making stroke play easier. As the match progresses, however, the surface tends to slow down, bringing spinners and bowlers who rely on variations into the game. Pacers can also find success by mixing up their speeds and using cutters effectively during the middle and death overs.
ENG W vs SL W: Head-to-Head Record
| Matches Played | 12 |
| Won by ENG W | 10 |
| Won by SL W | 02 |
| Tie/NR | 00 |
| First-Ever Fixture | June 14, 2009 |
| Most-Recent Fixture | September 6, 2023 |
ENG W vs SL W: Predicted Playing XIs
England Women:
Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Nat Sciver-Brunt (C), Heather Knight, Amy Jones (WK), Danielle Gibson, Charlotte Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Bell, Lauren Filer
Sri Lanka Women:
Chamari Athapaththu (C), Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Hasini Perera, Kaushani Nuthyangana (WK), Sugandika Kumari, Hansima Karunaratne, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Kawya Kavindi
