Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

Scotland vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI Preview Dream11. SCO vs SL 2nd ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction

Scotland vs Sri Lanka take two. Thankfully, the weather forecast in Edinburgh looks a little more promising than Saturday, where the first ODI was washed out.

It is a big day for Scotland. A 10-team World Cup gets underway in just over a week, so there is no doubt that Kyle Coetzer and his team will be keen to remind the ICC of the pain they can be to higher-ranked sides. Just ask England, who were toppled by the Scots just over a year ago. Incredibly, Scotland have won a live ODI (non- dead rubber) against a top eight side more recently than their more established opponents today. Their two losses against Sri Lanka in ODI cricket have been heavy ones, but with plenty at stake here, expect the Scots to put in a big performance.

On the other hand, so much uncertainty surrounds Sri Lanka just over a week out from a World Cup. Dimuth Karunaratne, who hasn’t played an ODI since the 2015 World Cup, leads a struggling side who have lost all eight ODIs in 2019. The Sri Lankans have a strong record against Associates, and they will want that to continue today as a confidence-booster ahead of a tournament many expect them to find difficult. Can they put together a good performance and get their first win of 2019?

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Key to a Scotland win

Sri Lanka’s top order, in their poor run of results since 2017, often has a bad collapse in them. So, an opportunity awaits the Scottish bowlers to get the most out of whatever help is available in the powerplay overs. Conditions are usually great for batting in Edinburgh, but a mixture of cloud cover, cold weather and a changed lineup could give the Sri Lankansa dose of the fritters. Sri Lanka’s possible top four on paper is one that prefers accumulation over power, so the onus is on the Scots to keep things tight early and build pressure that can force get-out shots from the Sri Lankans. This can certainly help Scotland get a foothold in the game and build momentum in the middle overs.

Also, who will lead the way for Scotland with the bat? Calum McLeod has fond memories of top ten ODI opposition, smashing England last June en route to a famous Scotland win. Also, while Kyle Coetzer will be key as always, eyes will be on Matthew Cross, who continues to show promise. His last game vs Sri Lanka, a warm-up before the 2017 Champions Trophy, saw him knock off a fine century. He then scored two ODI centuries last year, including one in the World Cup Qualifiers vs UAE, so he will no doubt be a key man to keep the Sri Lankan new ball bowlers at bay. With Richie Berrington unfortunately out with a broken finger, Scotland need to create a strong platform and build on it.

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Key to a Sri Lanka win

This is a very good test for Sri Lanka. Since the beginning of 2017, Sri Lanka have won just 11 of 51 completed ODIs, often relying on individual brilliance to keep them in games. When their top order has done well, their middle order hasn’t and vice versa. Also, when they have bowled well, they have often batted poorly and vice versa. Here, they must put together a team effort to build some confidence ahead of the World Cup, and that starts with their top order. Scotland’s bowlers will certainly be keen to impress, so the platform Sri Lanka’s top order sets will be key. With conditions expected to be good for batting, the likes of Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews will be key in setting a platform for the likes of Thisara Perera to launch.

Also, who will put his hand up to have a big performance with the ball? Suranga Lakmal springs to mind, and the extent to which he threatens with his shape will be key. However, who will support him? Consistent line and length will be key against a Scottish top order that has it in them to fire. Early wickets will be key to help ensure fruitful middle and death over periods for Sri Lanka, with Lasith Malinga certainly capable of causing damage.

Possible Playing 11:

Scoland: 1. Kyle Coetzer (c), 2. Matthew Cross (wk), 3. Calum MacLeod, 4. Michael Jones/Michael Leask, 5. George Munsey, 6. Craig Wallace, 7. Tom Sole, 8. Mark Watt, 9. Alasdair Evans, 10. Safyaan Sharif, 11. Brad Wheal

Sri Lanka: 1. Dimuth Karunaratne (c), 2. Lahiru Thirimanne, 3. Kusal Mendis, 4. Kusal Perera (wk), 5. Angelo Mathews, 6. Dhananjaya de Silva, 7. Thisara Perera, 8. Isuru Udana, 9. Suranga Lakmal, 10. Jeffrey Vandersay, 11. Lasith Malinga

Pitch and Conditions

The forecast for Tuesday is mostly cloudy. Some showers could occur, but there should hopefully be enough cricket for a result. The pitch at Edinburgh is usually a belter for batting.

Dream11 Prediction

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Option 1:

Option 2:

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Stats and Facts

• Sri Lanka have won both their ODIs against Scotland. One was by 183 runs in 2011 and the other 148 runs in the 2015 World Cup.
• Dimuth Karunaratne’s only ODI fifty has come against Scotland, in 2011.
• Sri Lanka’s last win in a live ODI (non-dead rubber) vs a top eight ODI side was back in January 2018 vs Bangladesh. Scotland have won more recently, beating England in June 2018.
• Sri Lanka have not won a bilateral ODI series in three years.

Match Prediction

One to look forward to. Can Associate Scotland continue their march towards Full Member Status with a win over much-maligned Sri Lanka?

They are a chance, but Sri Lanka should have the experience and talent to win this one.

Thanks for reading!

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