England’s preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup got off to a strong start on Friday as they comfortably beat Sri Lanka in rain affected game in Kandy. The hosts were dismissed for 133 from 16.2 overs, thanks to a brilliant bowling performance, including a Sam Curran hat-trick to wrap up the tail.
Attention now turns to the second T20I on Sunday, 1st February, and it will be more of the same as far as Brendan McCullum’s side is concerned. England come into the game as strong 1/2 favourites, with Sri Lanka priced at 13/8, respectively.
Sri Lanka vs England Bet Builder Tips
bet365 are one of the few bookies that have these specific markets available, so we’re a little limited as to where we can bet. Luckily, they’re one of the best cricket betting sites on the planet, and if you need an account with them, you can get a £30 free bet below.
| Market | Bet | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Batter Total Match Fours | Jacob Bethell Over 1.5 | 4/5 |
| Phil Salt Match Fours | Phil Salt Over 2.5 | 4/5 |
| Bowler Markets | Adil Rashid 2+ Wickets | 5/4 |
| Total Odds | 7.29/1 |
*Odds correct at 11:45 GMT on 31/01/2026. Odds subject to change.
No Expiry Date
Bet 1: Jacob Bethell Over 1.5 Match Fours
It’s fair to say that Jacob Bethell has been thrown in at the deep end in international cricket. He’d barely played any first-class games before getting his chance in the T20I series against Australia in 2024, and hadn’t even made a first-class century until the fifth and final 2025-26 Ashes Test, curating a brilliant 154 from 265 balls.
The selectors have seen something in him that caught their eye. And it’s starting to pay off.
He looked completely at home on the tour down under, which is the ultimate litmus test for an England cricketer and one that’s proved too much for many a superstar in the game. He’s carried that form into the ODI series in Sri Lanka, scoring a silky 65 in the final game, and now he’s batting three in the T20Is. Quite the rise to cricketing stardom.
He’s priced at 4/5 to score over 1.5 match fours, which seems a huge price. He’s covered the line in five of his last T20I innings, and we’re backing him to go again on Sunday.
Bet 2: Phil Salt Over 2.5 Match Fours
We’re going back-to-back on the match fours market, this time picking up Phil Salt to clear the over 2.5. He’s the second-best T20I batter in the world right now, just behind India’s Abhishek Sharma.
By Salt’s account, he had a slow start to 2025, but kicked on like the best in the world do, scoring a stunning 141 not out against South Africa at Old Trafford, before backing up that with 89 against Ireland and 85 against New Zealand. He looked in good form in the first T20I on Friday, scoring 46 from 35, essentially putting the game to bed early.
Priced at 4/5 for over 2.5 fours looks like another great shout. He’s covered it in seven of his last nine innings, and if he gets in, he’ll cruise this line.
Bet 3: Adil Rashid to Take 2+ Wickets
Adil Rashid may be just a couple of weeks away from his 38th birthday, but there seems to be no sign of slowing down in white-ball cricket for the veteran leg spinner. In fact, you could argue he’s only getting better and will be a pivotal cog in the England bowling line-up if they are to progress in the T20 World Cup.
He bowled beautifully alongside Liam Dawson in the first T20I, suffocating the Sri Lankan batting line-up and taking 3-19 from his four overs. He’s now taken 10 wickets in his last three T20I matches and is on a streak of one or more wickets in each of his last 22 games, dating back to June 2024.
We’re getting 5/4 for two or more wickets again in the second T20I, and given just how well he’s playing, we’re happy to take that as the final part of our bet builder.
