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Deadspin | Daniel Gafford helps push Mavericks past Blazers in OT

Deadspin | Daniel Gafford helps push Mavericks past Blazers in OT

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Nov 16, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Daniel Gafford (21) scores past Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (35) during the second quarter at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Daniel Gafford’s contributions on both ends of the floor proved critical down the stretch, as the Dallas Mavericks snapped a three-game losing skid and avoided a winless homestand with their 138-133 overtime defeat of the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.

Gafford, limited thus far in 2025-26 by an ankle injury, delivered a season-high 20 points, including four in the final seconds of the extra period for Dallas.

His free throws with 1:39 remaining gave the Mavericks the lead for good and ignited a 6-0 mini-run that effectively put the game away. During one sequence, Gafford rejected Shaedon Sharpe at the rim, then finished at the other end on a physical basket in the paint to give Dallas a five-point advantage.

Gafford’s block and bucket followed P.J. Washington’s thunderous dunk on a leakout, set up from Cooper Flagg’s outlet assist off a missed Sharpe 3-pointer.

Sharpe’s inability to score in the final minute and a half came at an inopportune time on an otherwise outstanding night for the Portland guard. He scored a season-high 36 points, just one shy of matching his career best, and dished six assists.

Sharpe was left shouldering the load after Deni Avdija, the Blazers’ season-long leading scorer, fouled out. Avdija finished with 29 points, seven assists and six rebounds.

Flagg and Washington led the Mavericks with 21 points apiece. Brandon Williams and Max Christie added 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Portland’s scoring came almost entirely from its starting five, with Jerami Grant adding 26 points, Donovan Clingan scoring 16 and Toumani Camara chipping in 11. Clingan and Camara both recorded double-doubles with 11 and 10 rebounds.

But while the Portland bench totaled just 15 points, Dallas reserves Klay Thompson, D’Angelo Russell and Naji Marshall scored 19, 12 and nine points to support all five Mavericks starters scoring in double figures.

With the loss, Portland closes its five-game road swing at 1-4 with bookending back-to-back losses. The Blazers played Sunday without Jrue Holiday, who was a late scratch from the lineup with a sore right calf.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Red Sox sliding, Rangers rising ahead of weekend series Jun 8, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Caleb Durbin (5) fields a ground ball in the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images Third baseman Caleb Durbin is hot, but the same can’t be said for the Boston Red Sox. Boston will enter its Friday night home game against the Texas Rangers, the opener of a three-game series, looking to end a four-game losing streak. Most recently, the Red Sox fell 7-5 at Tampa Bay on Wednesday, when Durbin went 3-for-4 and homered twice. Durbin struggled at the plate for most of the season, as he is batting .204 with three home runs and 25 RBIs in 60 games. However, he is hitting .333 (9-for-27) in June, and he is 15-for-44 (.341) dating back to May 28. “Honestly, the last couple days felt really good,” Durbin said after the Wednesday loss to the Rays. “Felt like I was really getting good swings on the ball, and when I was going to hit them, it was going to be good results. Not just feeling like I’m putting good swings on the ball but trusting that the result would be good and trending in the right direction. But obviously still a lot of work to be done. “Obviously, I haven’t been in the big leagues super long, but playing this game for most of my life, I’ve struggled at every level, so I haven’t gone a season without struggling. Just knowing that’s part of the process helps me continue to focus on the work I’m putting in.” Wednesday was the first multi-homer game of Durbin’s major league career, but the loss left the Red Sox a season-worst 12 games below .500. Boston dropped four games on its five-game road trip, but things haven’t gone well for the Red Sox at home this season, either. Boston is 10-21 at Fenway Park — the worst home record in the big leagues. “Really tough,” Durbin said when asked about the road trip, “but we’ve got to bounce back. Off day (Thursday) will be a good reset, for sure. But then, obviously, you have to get something going at home. It’s not really a choice at this point. Got to get it going.” Texas is expected to start right-hander Jack Leiter (3-5, 4.69 ERA) on the mound Friday. He is 1-1 with a 4.35 ERA in two career starts against Boston, both last year. In his latest outing, Leiter gave up five runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings during a 6-0 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday. Right-hander Sonny Gray (7-1, 3.20 ERA) is Boston’s probable starter. Gray is 11-5 with a 2.87 ERA in 19 career games (18 starts) vs. the Rangers. Over his past six starts, Gray is 5-0 with a 2.43 ERA. On June 5 against the New York Yankees, Gray yielded three runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings en route to a 5-3 win. Texas is coming off back-to-back victories to complete a three-game series at Kansas City. A rain-delayed 4-2 win over the Royals on Thursday gave the Rangers a .500 record (34-34) for the first time since May 1. The Rangers have won nine of their past 12 games and each of their past four series. “Some guys have really stepped up in the bullpen,” Texas manager Skip Schumaker said. “Our starting pitching, for the most part, has been really good as well, but we’ve had some timely hits, played small-ball, played the long ball, so I think we’re finally coming together as a team and finding different ways to win. That’s the biggest difference than maybe the beginning of the year.” Texas’ Joc Pederson sat out on Thursday. The designated hitter left the Rangers’ 6-4, 10-inning win over Kansas City on Wednesday due to left hip discomfort. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Red #Sox #sliding #Rangers #rising #ahead #weekend #seriesJun 8, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Caleb Durbin (5) fields a ground ball in the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Third baseman Caleb Durbin is hot, but the same can’t be said for the Boston Red Sox.

Boston will enter its Friday night home game against the Texas Rangers, the opener of a three-game series, looking to end a four-game losing streak. Most recently, the Red Sox fell 7-5 at Tampa Bay on Wednesday, when Durbin went 3-for-4 and homered twice.

Durbin struggled at the plate for most of the season, as he is batting .204 with three home runs and 25 RBIs in 60 games. However, he is hitting .333 (9-for-27) in June, and he is 15-for-44 (.341) dating back to May 28.

“Honestly, the last couple days felt really good,” Durbin said after the Wednesday loss to the Rays. “Felt like I was really getting good swings on the ball, and when I was going to hit them, it was going to be good results. Not just feeling like I’m putting good swings on the ball but trusting that the result would be good and trending in the right direction. But obviously still a lot of work to be done.

“Obviously, I haven’t been in the big leagues super long, but playing this game for most of my life, I’ve struggled at every level, so I haven’t gone a season without struggling. Just knowing that’s part of the process helps me continue to focus on the work I’m putting in.”

Wednesday was the first multi-homer game of Durbin’s major league career, but the loss left the Red Sox a season-worst 12 games below .500. Boston dropped four games on its five-game road trip, but things haven’t gone well for the Red Sox at home this season, either. Boston is 10-21 at Fenway Park — the worst home record in the big leagues.

“Really tough,” Durbin said when asked about the road trip, “but we’ve got to bounce back. Off day (Thursday) will be a good reset, for sure. But then, obviously, you have to get something going at home. It’s not really a choice at this point. Got to get it going.”


Texas is expected to start right-hander Jack Leiter (3-5, 4.69 ERA) on the mound Friday. He is 1-1 with a 4.35 ERA in two career starts against Boston, both last year.

In his latest outing, Leiter gave up five runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings during a 6-0 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday.

Right-hander Sonny Gray (7-1, 3.20 ERA) is Boston’s probable starter. Gray is 11-5 with a 2.87 ERA in 19 career games (18 starts) vs. the Rangers.

Over his past six starts, Gray is 5-0 with a 2.43 ERA. On June 5 against the New York Yankees, Gray yielded three runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings en route to a 5-3 win.

Texas is coming off back-to-back victories to complete a three-game series at Kansas City. A rain-delayed 4-2 win over the Royals on Thursday gave the Rangers a .500 record (34-34) for the first time since May 1.

The Rangers have won nine of their past 12 games and each of their past four series.

“Some guys have really stepped up in the bullpen,” Texas manager Skip Schumaker said. “Our starting pitching, for the most part, has been really good as well, but we’ve had some timely hits, played small-ball, played the long ball, so I think we’re finally coming together as a team and finding different ways to win. That’s the biggest difference than maybe the beginning of the year.”

Texas’ Joc Pederson sat out on Thursday. The designated hitter left the Rangers’ 6-4, 10-inning win over Kansas City on Wednesday due to left hip discomfort.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Red #Sox #sliding #Rangers #rising #ahead #weekend #series">Deadspin | Red Sox sliding, Rangers rising ahead of weekend series Jun 8, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Caleb Durbin (5) fields a ground ball in the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images Third baseman Caleb Durbin is hot, but the same can’t be said for the Boston Red Sox. Boston will enter its Friday night home game against the Texas Rangers, the opener of a three-game series, looking to end a four-game losing streak. Most recently, the Red Sox fell 7-5 at Tampa Bay on Wednesday, when Durbin went 3-for-4 and homered twice. Durbin struggled at the plate for most of the season, as he is batting .204 with three home runs and 25 RBIs in 60 games. However, he is hitting .333 (9-for-27) in June, and he is 15-for-44 (.341) dating back to May 28. “Honestly, the last couple days felt really good,” Durbin said after the Wednesday loss to the Rays. “Felt like I was really getting good swings on the ball, and when I was going to hit them, it was going to be good results. Not just feeling like I’m putting good swings on the ball but trusting that the result would be good and trending in the right direction. But obviously still a lot of work to be done. “Obviously, I haven’t been in the big leagues super long, but playing this game for most of my life, I’ve struggled at every level, so I haven’t gone a season without struggling. Just knowing that’s part of the process helps me continue to focus on the work I’m putting in.” Wednesday was the first multi-homer game of Durbin’s major league career, but the loss left the Red Sox a season-worst 12 games below .500. Boston dropped four games on its five-game road trip, but things haven’t gone well for the Red Sox at home this season, either. Boston is 10-21 at Fenway Park — the worst home record in the big leagues. “Really tough,” Durbin said when asked about the road trip, “but we’ve got to bounce back. Off day (Thursday) will be a good reset, for sure. But then, obviously, you have to get something going at home. It’s not really a choice at this point. Got to get it going.” Texas is expected to start right-hander Jack Leiter (3-5, 4.69 ERA) on the mound Friday. He is 1-1 with a 4.35 ERA in two career starts against Boston, both last year. In his latest outing, Leiter gave up five runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings during a 6-0 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday. Right-hander Sonny Gray (7-1, 3.20 ERA) is Boston’s probable starter. Gray is 11-5 with a 2.87 ERA in 19 career games (18 starts) vs. the Rangers. Over his past six starts, Gray is 5-0 with a 2.43 ERA. On June 5 against the New York Yankees, Gray yielded three runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings en route to a 5-3 win. Texas is coming off back-to-back victories to complete a three-game series at Kansas City. A rain-delayed 4-2 win over the Royals on Thursday gave the Rangers a .500 record (34-34) for the first time since May 1. The Rangers have won nine of their past 12 games and each of their past four series. “Some guys have really stepped up in the bullpen,” Texas manager Skip Schumaker said. “Our starting pitching, for the most part, has been really good as well, but we’ve had some timely hits, played small-ball, played the long ball, so I think we’re finally coming together as a team and finding different ways to win. That’s the biggest difference than maybe the beginning of the year.” Texas’ Joc Pederson sat out on Thursday. The designated hitter left the Rangers’ 6-4, 10-inning win over Kansas City on Wednesday due to left hip discomfort. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Red #Sox #sliding #Rangers #rising #ahead #weekend #series

One of the biggest sporting events on the planet is about to begin.

Starting on Thursday, the FIFA World Cup gets underway in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The World Cup begins with the group stage, as the 48 teams in the field battle it out to secure one of the 32 spots in the knockout stage.

Here is the full schedule, along with television information, for the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. All times listed are Eastern.

World Cup group stage schedule and scores

Group A: Mexico 2, South Africa 0
Group A: South Korea vs. Czechia, 10:oo p.m., FS1

Group B: Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 3:00 p.m., FOX
Group D: United States vs. Paraguay, 9:00 p.m., FOX

Group B: Qatar vs. Switzerland, 3:00 p.m., FOX
Group C: Brazil vs. Morocco, 6:00 p.m., FOX
Group C: Haiti vs. Scotland, 9:00 p.m., FOX

Group D: Australia vs. Türkiye, 12:00 a.m., FS1
Group E: Germany vs. Curaçao, 1:00 p.m., FOX
Group F: Netherlands vs. Japan, 4:00 p.m., FOX
Group E: Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador, 7:00 p.m., FS1
Group F: Sweden vs. Tunisia, 10:00 p.m., FS1

Group H: Spain vs. Cabo Verde, 12:00 p.m., FOX
Group G: Belgium vs. Egypt, 3:00 p.m., FOX
Group H: Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay, 6:00 p.m., FS1
Group G: Iran vs. New Zealand, 9:00 p.m., FS1

Group I: France vs. Senegal, 3:oo p.m., FOX
Group I: Iraq vs. Norway, 6:00 p.m., FOX
Group J: Argentina vs. Algeria, 9:00 p.m., FOX

Group J: Austria vs. Jordan, 12:00 a.m., FS1
Group K: Portugal vs. DR Congo, 1:00 p.m., FOX
Group L: England vs. Croatia, 4:00 p.m., FOX
Group L: Ghana vs. Panama, 7:00 p.m., FS1
Group K: Uzbekistan vs. Colombia, 10:00 p.m., FS1

Group A: Czechia vs. South Africa, 12:00 p.m., FOX
Group B: Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 3:00 p.m, FOX
Group B: Canada vs. Qatar, 6:00 p.m., FS1
Group A: Mexico vs. South Korea, 9:00 p.m., FOX

Group D: United States vs. Australia, 3:00 p.m., FOX
Group C: Scotland vs. Morocco, 6:00 p.m., FOX
Group C: Brazil vs. Haiti, 8:30 p.m., FOX
Group D: Türkiye vs. Paraguay, 11:00 p.m., FS1

Group F: Netherlands vs. Sweden, 1:00 p.m., FOX
Group E: Germany vs. Ivory Coast, 4:00 p.m. FOX
Group E: Ecuador vs. Curaçao, 8:00 p.m., FS1

Group F: Tunisia vs. Japan, 12:00 a.m., FS1
Group H: Spain vs. Saudi Arabia, 12:00 p.m., FOX
Group G: Belgium vs. Iran, 3:00 p.m., FS1
Group H: Uruguay vs. Cabo Verde, 6:00 p.m., FS1
Group G: New Zealand vs. Egypt, 9:00 p.m., FS1

Group J: Argentina vs. Austria, 1:00 p.m., FOX
Group I: France vs. Iraq, 5:00 p.m., FOX
Group I: Norway vs. Senegal, 8:00 p.m, FOX
Group J: Jordan vs. Algeria, 11:00 p.m., FS1

Group K: Portugal vs. Uzbekistan, 1:00 p.m., FOX
Group L: England vs. Ghana, 4:00 p.m., FOX
Group L: Panama vs. Croatia, 7:oo p.m., FOX
Group K: Colombia vs. DR Congo, 10:00 p.m., FS1

Group B: Switzerland vs. Canada, 3:00 p.m., FOX
Group B: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar, 3:00 p.m., FS1
Group C: Morocco vs. Haiti, 6:00 p.m., FS1
Group C: Scotland vs. Brazil, 6:00 p.m., FOX
Group A: South Africa vs. South Korea, 9:00 p.m., FS1
Group A: Czechia vs. Mexico, 9:00 p.m., FOX

Group E: Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast, 4:00 p.m., FS1
Group E: Ecuador vs. Germany, 4:00 p.m., FOX
Group F: Tunisia vs. Netherlands, 7:00 p.m., FOX
Group F: Japan vs. Sweden, 7:00 p.m., FS1
Group D: Türkiye vs. United States, 10:00 p.m., FOX
Group D: Paraguay vs. Australia, 10:00 p.m., FS1

Group I: Norway vs. France, 3:00 p.m., FOX
Group I: Senegal vs. Iraq, 3:00 p.m., FS1
Group H: Cabo Verde vs. Saudi Arabia, 8:00 p.m., FS1
Group H: Uruguay vs. Spain, 8:00 p.m., FOX
Group G: New Zealand vs. Belgium, 11:00 p.m., FOX
Group G: Egypt vs. Iran, 11:00 p.m., FS1

Group L: Panama vs. England, 5:00 p.m., FOX
Group L: Croatia vs. Ghana, 5:00 p.m., FS1
Group K: Colombia vs. Portugal, 7:30 p.m., FOX
Group K: DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan, 7:30 p.m., FS1
Group J: Algeria vs. Austria, 10:00 p.m., FS1
Group J: Jordan vs. Argentina, 10:00 p.m., FOX

#World #Cup #Group #Stage #Schedule #scores #watch">World Cup Group Stage: Schedule, scores and how to watch One of the biggest sporting events on the planet is about to begin.Starting on Thursday, the FIFA World Cup gets underway in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The World Cup begins with the group stage, as the 48 teams in the field battle it out to secure one of the 32 spots in the knockout stage.Here is the full schedule, along with television information, for the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. All times listed are Eastern.World Cup group stage schedule and scoresGroup A: Mexico 2, South Africa 0Group A: South Korea vs. Czechia, 10:oo p.m., FS1Group B: Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 3:00 p.m., FOXGroup D: United States vs. Paraguay, 9:00 p.m., FOXGroup B: Qatar vs. Switzerland, 3:00 p.m., FOXGroup C: Brazil vs. Morocco, 6:00 p.m., FOXGroup C: Haiti vs. Scotland, 9:00 p.m., FOXGroup D: Australia vs. Türkiye, 12:00 a.m., FS1Group E: Germany vs. Curaçao, 1:00 p.m., FOXGroup F: Netherlands vs. Japan, 4:00 p.m., FOXGroup E: Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador, 7:00 p.m., FS1Group F: Sweden vs. Tunisia, 10:00 p.m., FS1Group H: Spain vs. Cabo Verde, 12:00 p.m., FOXGroup G: Belgium vs. Egypt, 3:00 p.m., FOXGroup H: Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay, 6:00 p.m., FS1Group G: Iran vs. New Zealand, 9:00 p.m., FS1Group I: France vs. Senegal, 3:oo p.m., FOXGroup I: Iraq vs. Norway, 6:00 p.m., FOXGroup J: Argentina vs. Algeria, 9:00 p.m., FOXGroup J: Austria vs. Jordan, 12:00 a.m., FS1Group K: Portugal vs. DR Congo, 1:00 p.m., FOXGroup L: England vs. Croatia, 4:00 p.m., FOXGroup L: Ghana vs. Panama, 7:00 p.m., FS1Group K: Uzbekistan vs. Colombia, 10:00 p.m., FS1Group A: Czechia vs. South Africa, 12:00 p.m., FOXGroup B: Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 3:00 p.m, FOXGroup B: Canada vs. Qatar, 6:00 p.m., FS1Group A: Mexico vs. South Korea, 9:00 p.m., FOXGroup D: United States vs. Australia, 3:00 p.m., FOXGroup C: Scotland vs. Morocco, 6:00 p.m., FOXGroup C: Brazil vs. Haiti, 8:30 p.m., FOXGroup D: Türkiye vs. Paraguay, 11:00 p.m., FS1Group F: Netherlands vs. Sweden, 1:00 p.m., FOXGroup E: Germany vs. Ivory Coast, 4:00 p.m. FOXGroup E: Ecuador vs. Curaçao, 8:00 p.m., FS1Group F: Tunisia vs. Japan, 12:00 a.m., FS1Group H: Spain vs. Saudi Arabia, 12:00 p.m., FOXGroup G: Belgium vs. Iran, 3:00 p.m., FS1Group H: Uruguay vs. Cabo Verde, 6:00 p.m., FS1Group G: New Zealand vs. Egypt, 9:00 p.m., FS1Group J: Argentina vs. Austria, 1:00 p.m., FOXGroup I: France vs. Iraq, 5:00 p.m., FOXGroup I: Norway vs. Senegal, 8:00 p.m, FOXGroup J: Jordan vs. Algeria, 11:00 p.m., FS1Group K: Portugal vs. Uzbekistan, 1:00 p.m., FOXGroup L: England vs. Ghana, 4:00 p.m., FOXGroup L: Panama vs. Croatia, 7:oo p.m., FOXGroup K: Colombia vs. DR Congo, 10:00 p.m., FS1Group B: Switzerland vs. Canada, 3:00 p.m., FOXGroup B: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar, 3:00 p.m., FS1Group C: Morocco vs. Haiti, 6:00 p.m., FS1Group C: Scotland vs. Brazil, 6:00 p.m., FOXGroup A: South Africa vs. South Korea, 9:00 p.m., FS1Group A: Czechia vs. Mexico, 9:00 p.m., FOXGroup E: Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast, 4:00 p.m., FS1Group E: Ecuador vs. Germany, 4:00 p.m., FOXGroup F: Tunisia vs. Netherlands, 7:00 p.m., FOXGroup F: Japan vs. Sweden, 7:00 p.m., FS1Group D: Türkiye vs. United States, 10:00 p.m., FOXGroup D: Paraguay vs. Australia, 10:00 p.m., FS1Group I: Norway vs. France, 3:00 p.m., FOXGroup I: Senegal vs. Iraq, 3:00 p.m., FS1Group H: Cabo Verde vs. Saudi Arabia, 8:00 p.m., FS1Group H: Uruguay vs. Spain, 8:00 p.m., FOXGroup G: New Zealand vs. Belgium, 11:00 p.m., FOXGroup G: Egypt vs. Iran, 11:00 p.m., FS1Group L: Panama vs. England, 5:00 p.m., FOXGroup L: Croatia vs. Ghana, 5:00 p.m., FS1Group K: Colombia vs. Portugal, 7:30 p.m., FOXGroup K: DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan, 7:30 p.m., FS1Group J: Algeria vs. Austria, 10:00 p.m., FS1Group J: Jordan vs. Argentina, 10:00 p.m., FOX #World #Cup #Group #Stage #Schedule #scores #watch

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt was tightlipped about selection ahead of her side’s opening match at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 against Sri Lanka on Friday.

The tournament host has used a variety of players during its warm-up fixtures for the T20 World Cup and poses a wealth of riches in most departments with good depth in the spin bowling ranks and a bevy of quality batting options at the top of the order.

ENG-W vs SL-W: Head-to-head in T20Is

Played: 12

England: 10

Sri Lanka: 2

What that means in terms of selection for the opening match of the T20 World Cup in Edgbaston on Friday remains to be seen and Sciver-Brunt was giving nothing away when asked about the make-up of her side for the clash with Sri Lanka.

The all-rounder has already confirmed she will play purely as a batter as she returns to full fitness following a calf concern, while the England skipper also suggested it would be unlikely that the side will use all three of its left-arm spin options – Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith and Tilly Corteen-Coleman – in the same XI.

But where that leaves all-rounders Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson remains unanswered, while there is also plenty to ponder for the England captain at the top of the batting order with Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Amy Jones, Alice Capsey and Sophia Dunkley all jostling for positions.

“We have a squad of 15 players, all of whom could be part of our XI,” Sciver-Brunt said on Thursday at the pre-match press conference.

“Selecting that final XI is hard and there’ll be some disappointed people because everybody so far in the summer has put their hand up with different performances at different times.

ENG-W vs SL-W: Head-to-head record in Women’s T20 World Cups

Played: 2

England: 2

Sri Lanka: 0

“We know that we’ll need to call upon every one of those 15 people during this tournament. It’s not just about the XI. And I suppose that makes for some tough conversations and I’m sure some disappointed people.”

Sri Lanka looks relatively more settled after ending its warm-up run unbeaten with wins over the Netherlands and Pakistan.

Experienced skipper Chamari Athapaththu will once again be the lynchpin for Sri Lanka against England as the veteran gears up for her 10th appearance at the T20 World Cup having previously featured at every edition of the tournament since its inception in 2009

And Athapaththu enters the opening contest quietly confident her side can cause an upset, with the Sri Lanka captain embracing the tag of underdogs given all the pressure and focus will be on their opponents.

“The game is very important game for both the teams, but we are coming with underdog tag because we need to earn something,” Athapaththu said.

“But I know England have a little bit pressure because they’re playing in their home condition and first game and with a lot of expectation. 

“And most of the England people are coming here for cheering for them. 

“I feel some kind of pressure they have. So we don’t have that kind of pressure. 

“So we just need to play our fearless cricket. And if we can play our best cricket tomorrow, I know we can change and make — we can make history.”

SQUADS

England squad: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Dani Gibson, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Heather Knight, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt-Hodge

Sri Lanka squad: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Imesha Dulani, Nilakshika Silva, Kaveesha Dilhari, Hansima Karunarathne, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Sugandika Dassanayaka, Nimasha Madushani, Kawya Kavindi, Malki Madara, Mithali Ayodhya, Chethana Vimukthi

Published on Jun 12, 2026

#England #Sri #Lanka #Womens #T20 #World #Cup #Preview #Headtohead #record #squads #playing #news">England vs Sri Lanka, Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: Preview, Head-to-head record, squads, playing XI news England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt was tightlipped about selection ahead of her side’s opening match at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 against Sri Lanka on Friday.The tournament host has used a variety of players during its warm-up fixtures for the T20 World Cup and poses a wealth of riches in most departments with good depth in the spin bowling ranks and a bevy of quality batting options at the top of the order. ENG-W vs SL-W: Head-to-head in T20Is Played: 12 England: 10 Sri Lanka: 2 What that means in terms of selection for the opening match of the T20 World Cup in Edgbaston on Friday remains to be seen and Sciver-Brunt was giving nothing away when asked about the make-up of her side for the clash with Sri Lanka.The all-rounder has already confirmed she will play purely as a batter as she returns to full fitness following a calf concern, while the England skipper also suggested it would be unlikely that the side will use all three of its left-arm spin options – Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith and Tilly Corteen-Coleman – in the same XI.But where that leaves all-rounders Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson remains unanswered, while there is also plenty to ponder for the England captain at the top of the batting order with Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Amy Jones, Alice Capsey and Sophia Dunkley all jostling for positions.“We have a squad of 15 players, all of whom could be part of our XI,” Sciver-Brunt said on Thursday at the pre-match press conference.“Selecting that final XI is hard and there’ll be some disappointed people because everybody so far in the summer has put their hand up with different performances at different times. ENG-W vs SL-W: Head-to-head record in Women’s T20 World Cups Played: 2 England: 2 Sri Lanka: 0 “We know that we’ll need to call upon every one of those 15 people during this tournament. It’s not just about the XI. And I suppose that makes for some tough conversations and I’m sure some disappointed people.”Sri Lanka looks relatively more settled after ending its warm-up run unbeaten with wins over the Netherlands and Pakistan.Experienced skipper Chamari Athapaththu will once again be the lynchpin for Sri Lanka against England as the veteran gears up for her 10th appearance at the T20 World Cup having previously featured at every edition of the tournament since its inception in 2009And Athapaththu enters the opening contest quietly confident her side can cause an upset, with the Sri Lanka captain embracing the tag of underdogs given all the pressure and focus will be on their opponents.“The game is very important game for both the teams, but we are coming with underdog tag because we need to earn something,” Athapaththu said.“But I know England have a little bit pressure because they’re playing in their home condition and first game and with a lot of expectation. “And most of the England people are coming here for cheering for them. “I feel some kind of pressure they have. So we don’t have that kind of pressure. “So we just need to play our fearless cricket. And if we can play our best cricket tomorrow, I know we can change and make — we can make history.” SQUADS England squad: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Dani Gibson, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Heather Knight, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt-Hodge Sri Lanka squad: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Imesha Dulani, Nilakshika Silva, Kaveesha Dilhari, Hansima Karunarathne, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Sugandika Dassanayaka, Nimasha Madushani, Kawya Kavindi, Malki Madara, Mithali Ayodhya, Chethana Vimukthi Published on Jun 12, 2026 #England #Sri #Lanka #Womens #T20 #World #Cup #Preview #Headtohead #record #squads #playing #news

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