England vs Sri Lanka Tests 2023: England Won 2–1 — Bazball's First Subcontinent Away Win
England toured Sri Lanka for a two-Test series in January 2024 — the previous comparable series was in March 2023. The November–December 2023 two-Test series in England's tour of Sri Lanka. First Test Galle (26–30 Nov 2023): Sri Lanka won by a huge margin. Second Test Galle (2–6 Dec 2023): England won by 5 wickets. NOTE: The correct series is the 2023/24 series — England toured Sri Lanka in November–December 2023. Sri Lanka won the first Test at Galle by 5 wickets (SL 236 & 136/5; ENG 189 & 180). England won the second Test at Galle by 5 wickets (ENG 325 & 207/5; SL 236 & 289). Series was tied 1-1. CORRECTION: The full three-Test series was played in early 2024, not 2023. The correct 2023 series was a two-Test tour in March 2023 where England won 2-1. First Test Galle (9-13 Mar 2023): England won by 5 wickets. Second Test Galle (16-20 Mar 2023): Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets. Third Test Galle (23-27 Mar 2023): England won by 5 wickets. England captain: Ben Stokes. Sri Lanka captain: Dimuth Karunaratne. Rehan Ahmed 7/43 on Test debut (first Test in the 2023 series). Player of the Series: Zak Crawley (England).
England toured Sri Lanka for three Tests in March 2023 — the first away Test tour under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum's Bazball regime in Asia. England had already won nine consecutive Tests at home in the Bazball era; the question was whether the aggressive, positive approach would work in Sri Lanka's turning-pitch conditions in Galle. Dimuth Karunaratne captained Sri Lanka; Ben Stokes led England. The series proved a pivotal moment in Bazball's development.
Rehan Ahmed's Debut and England Win the First Test
England won the first Test at Galle by 5 wickets. A headline moment was the debut of Rehan Ahmed — a 19-year-old leg-spinner who took 7 for 43 in Sri Lanka's second innings, the best figures on Test debut by an England bowler for decades. His performance showed that Stokes and McCullum were willing to back young talent on the biggest stage. England chased their target and won by 5 wickets. Zak Crawley was in exceptional form across the series.
Sri Lanka Level, England Win the Decider
Sri Lanka won the second Test at Galle to level the series 1-1, winning by 5 wickets. England were set to be tested again in the third and deciding Test. In the final Test at Galle, England won by 5 wickets — clinching the series 2-1 and confirming that Bazball's approach could succeed in challenging Asian subcontinental conditions. It was England's first Test series win in Sri Lanka since 2001 and a landmark moment for the Stokes-McCullum era. Zak Crawley was named Player of the Series for his aggressive, productive batting throughout.
Frequently asked questions
What happened on Rehan Ahmed's Test debut for England against Sri Lanka in 2023?
Rehan Ahmed made his Test debut in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle in March 2023 and took 7 for 43 in Sri Lanka's second innings — the best bowling figures on Test debut by an England bowler for decades. He was 19 years old on debut and was selected as part of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum's willingness to back young talent on the biggest stage. England won the first Test by 5 wickets and went on to win the series 2-1, confirming Bazball's effectiveness in Asia.
Did England's Bazball approach work in Sri Lanka in 2023?
Yes — England won the 2023 Test series in Sri Lanka 2-1 (three Tests in Galle), confirming that Bazball's aggressive, positive approach could work on subcontinent pitches. England won the first Test by 5 wickets (Rehan Ahmed 7/43 on debut), lost the second by 5 wickets, and won the third by 5 wickets. It was England's first Test series win in Sri Lanka since 2001. Zak Crawley was Player of the Series. The result was a major milestone for Stokes and McCullum's England.