Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
Rain, rain, and England domination. Was it ever going to be anything else?
It has now reached the stage where even shortened games deliver no luck for the hosts, who will now have to battle both the rain and England to keep the series alive. With Pallekele reportedly avoiding significant rain in the last couple of days, one can only hope we get a full match in today.
If there is a result, which is possible looking at the forecast, can Sri Lanka be on the right end of it? Apart from two dead-rubber wins over South Africa in August, Sri Lanka have lost seven consecutive ODIs that can be described as having more at stake. One topic of conversation has been Dinesh Chandimal’s ability (or lack of) to keep the scoreboard ticking in the middle overs, after the top order finally helped provide a blistering start. Will today be the day everything goes right for the hosts?
An ODI tour of Sri Lanka represented a great opportunity for England to keep the winning momentum going. Today, they have the opportunity to win their ninth straight bilateral ODI assignment (excluding one-off ODI v Scotland), which is the kind of form you’d like heading into a huge 2019. Led by skipper Eoin Morgan, as well as the bowlers, will England finish off the series with a game to spare?
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Key to a Sri Lanka win
Getting the basics wrong continues to hurt Sri Lanka. Their poor batting at times, highlighted by lack of good running between the wickets, as well as poor fielding, has been at the forefront of a run that now reads 32 defeats in their last 42 completed ODIs.
If a full 50 overs is provided to them today, will the top order make another good start? What about the middle order’s ability, led by Dinesh Chandimal, to rotate the strike effectively to keep the pressure on England? At the moment, Sri Lanka are relying too much on individual brilliance to get them out of trouble, and that simply doesn’t warrant success at any level of cricket, let alone international.
The same applies on the bowling front. Lasith Malinga was superb in the second ODI, but not so much in the third, with Amila Aponso Sri Lanka’s biggest threat on Wednesday. Can the Lankans put together a cohesive bowling display to take down a strong England batting line up? At 2-0 down, they must.
Key to an England win
So much is England’s strength in depth at the moment that Tom Curran, England’s last start hero with the ball, could miss out today given the return of Liam Plunkett. The same applies for Olly Stone, who has been impressive so far when given the chance. So, regardless of the combination they go with, England will be keen to test a Sri Lanka batting line up that relies on periods of strong play, rather than anything substantial over time.
Also, Jason Roy hitting some runs is a welcome relief for England, with Eoin Morgan a key star. The skipper, who admitted he will drop himself at the World Cup if his form is poor, has seemed to instill the importance of accountability in this line up, and if England are at their attacking best today, watch out Sri Lanka.
Possible XIs
Skipper Dinesh Chandimal missed the post-match presentation on Wednesday, suffering from dizziness. He is expected to be fit for today’s game, though. Another headache is the form of Kusal Mendis, who picked up his third ODI duck in a row, and could make way for Upul Tharanga, who was left out of the 21-over match.
Sri Lanka possible XI: 1. Upul Tharanga, 2. Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 3. Sadeera Samarawickrama, 4. Dinesh Chandimal (c), 5. Dhananjaya de Silva, 6. Dasun Shanaka, 7. Thisara Perera, 8. Akila Dananjaya, 9. Amila Aponso, 10. Lasith Malinga, 11. Nuwan Pradeep
Jonny Bairstow could miss out for England, after rolling his ankle playing football in the lead up to the fourth ODI. Also, it is a possibility that Liam Plunkett will return to the side in the fifth game if the series is won. Both Olly Stone and Tom Curran deserve a chance in today’s game.
England possible XI: 1. Jason Roy, 2. Alex Hales, 3. Joe Root, 4. Eoin Morgan (c), 5. Ben Stokes, 6. Jos Buttler (wk), 7. Moeen Ali, 8. Chris Woakes, 9. Adil Rashid, 10. Tom Curran, 11. Olly Stone/Liam Plunkett
Dream11
Picking a
Dream11 side, or just curious to see my side? It’s below with a few pointers!
- Someone of Upul Tharanga’s experience is due for a score. Also, Sadeera Samarawickrama showed promise in the third ODI, and will be key for Sri Lanka today.
- Joe Root and Eoin Morgan are two linchpins of England’s batting line up.
- Chris Woakes, Tom Curran and Ben Stokes will all be a threat to Sri Lanka. Akila Dananjaya and Thisara Perera are key to the hosts’ chances.
Stats and Facts
- England are on the verge of their ninth straight bilateral ODI series triumph (excluding one-off ODI v Scotland earlier this year).
- Sri Lanka have lost 32 of their last 42 completed ODIs, including five of their last six at Pallekele.
- Eoin Morgan has hit four half centuries in his last five ODI innings, totaling 305 runs at 152.50.
Prediction
You’d be a brave person to back Sri Lanka in this one.
Despite some good moments, Sri Lanka seem incapable of stringing together sustained periods of dominance, which is the opposite to what England are capable of.
England to win (weather permitting) to take the series 3-0.
Thanks for reading!
P.S.,
looking to improve your game or replicate your heroes? Claim discounts on any of 700+ cricket items at onlinecricstore.com with a
single code! Find out more
here!