Last Updated on 4 months by Charbel Coorey

T20 WC 2021 Match 29: ENG vs SL Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | ENG vs SL Dream11 Prediction Today | England vs Sri Lanka Key Players | Sharjah Pitch Report

England made a mockery of Sri Lanka in one of the most one-sided T20I series of all time earlier this year. Now, England have made a mockery of all three opponents so far in this T20 World Cup, with the latest being Australia in an eight-wicket, 50 balls to spare romp.

Sri Lanka are next in line to try stop this England juggernaut that continues to roll on. England’s bowling attack – which had some question marks around it given the absence of Jofra Archer – has swept all in front of them, conceding 55, 124/9 and 125 to date. Their passage to the Semi Finals is all but set given their unbelievable net run rate of 3.948, and Eoin Morgan’s team will be looking to continue the momentum in their first match at Sharjah.

Dasun Shanaka’s team come into this clash on the back of heartbreak. They had the game against South Africa in the palm of their hands, until Lahiru Kumara’s fateful final over just about ended Sri Lanka’s Semi Final hopes. If they are to keep those faint hopes alive, they will have to do what no other team has been able to do yet – compete with and beat England.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

England:

• Jos Buttler is coming off a dominant 32-ball 71* against Australia. Buttler has the most runs in ENG-SL T20Is with 256 in seven matches at an average of 64.00 and strike rate of 147.12.
• Jason Roy was part of England’s dominant powerplay vs Australia (66/0), and he will be looking to build on his recent form that includes a 38-ball 61 vs Bangladesh. Roy has scored 164 runs in five T20Is against Sri Lanka at an average of 32.80 and strike rate of 140.17.
• Jonny Bairstow has had limited opportunities so far given England’s dominance. If he does get an extended chance, watch out for his battle against the spinners. He has a half-century in four innings vs Sri Lanka, but will be looking to improve on his average of 22.00 against them.
• Liam Livingstone has been providing great value with the ball. And, given the slow Sharjah track, expect to see him roll his arm over once again. He has taken 2/15 (3) and 1/15 (4) in his last two matches, taking the ball away from both right and left handers with legspin and offspin respectively.
• Livingstone does have a poor batting record at Sharjah, with 46 runs in four matches at an average of 11.50 and strike rate of 83.64. Can he improve on this?
• Chris Woakes has been outstanding in this tournament, especially in the powerplay. He has taken four wickets in three matches at an average of 11.75 and economy rate of 4.70.
• Chris Jordan was player of the match vs Australia (3/17). The seamer also has the most wickets in ENG-SL T20Is with 15 scalps in eight matches at an average of 15.33 and economy rate of 7.18.

Sri Lanka:

• Thanks to his solid 72 against South Africa, Pathum Nissanka is now the tournament’s top run-scorer with 169 at an average of 28.16. He will be key in setting a platform for Sri Lanka.
• Charith Asalanka has looked in fine touch in his last three matches. He struck 80* (49) vs Bangladesh and 21 (14) vs South Africa on this ground, sandwiched between a 37 against Australia at Dubai. Can he make an impact in this match?
• Can Kusal Perera finally deliver what’s needed of him? He is struggling for form this year (11 inns, 210 runs, avg. 21.00, SR 112.90) and has a poor record vs England (6 inns, 80 runs, avg. 13.33, SR 90.90).
• Wanindu Hasaranga is coming off a hat-trick against South Africa on this ground. He is the bowler who can keep the England batsmen quiet. He took two wickets in three matches vs England earlier this year at an economy rate of just 6.72 on good batting pitches.
• Dushmantha Chameera bowled well against South Africa on this ground (2/27). He has taken six wickets in four matches against England at an average of 17.66, including a brilliant haul of 4/17 earlier this year.

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 12, England 8, Sri Lanka 4.
• England have won their last six T20Is vs Sri Lanka.
• Dawid Malan scored 76 in his last innings vs Sri Lanka during the English season.
• Moeen Ali was not required with bat or ball against Australia. However, expect Moeen to play a key role against Sri Lanka’s left-handers. There are three left-handers in their top five.
• Tymal Mills has taken seven wickets in three matches in the tournament. If picked, his slower balls will be key. Adil Rashid took 3/19 in his last overseas T20I vs Sri Lanka.

Possible Playing 11

England could look at playing the same XI, unless they feel Mark Wood is fit and ready.

England: 1. Jason Roy, 2. Jos Buttler (wk), 3. Dawid Malan, 4. Jonny Bairstow, 5. Eoin Morgan (c), 6. Liam Livingstone, 7. Moeen Ali, 8. Chris Woakes, 9. Chris Jordan, 10. Adil Rashid, 11. Tymal Mills/Mark Wood

Avishka Fernando has struggled badly after coming into the tournament with promising form. Dhananjaya de Silva might replace him, giving Sri Lanka another spin option. Also, Lahiru Kumara may miss out after a poor performance against South Africa.

Sri Lanka: 1. Pathum Nissanka, 2. Kusal Perera (wk), 3. Charith Asalanka, 4. Dhananjaya de Silva/Avishka Fernando, 5. Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 6. Dasun Shanaka (c), 7. Chamika Karunaratne, 8. Wanindu Hasaranga, 9. Dushmantha Chameera, 10. Maheesh Theekshana, 11. Lahiru Kumara/Akila Dananjaya

Sharjah Pitch Report and Weather

Teams batting first have had more of a say at Sharjah compared to a ground like Dubai. Teams batting first have won two of the four matches, with the last two games seeing a score of 142 batting first. Chasing over 140 has looked difficult.

However, with dew about, the captain who wins the toss could look to chase even if it’s a slow pitch.

Dream11 Prediction

Note: Teams below are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these teams in time after the final playing XIs have been announced.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction

Base team:

• Wicket-keepers: Jos Buttler
• Batsmen: Jason Roy, Charith Asalanka
• All-rounders: Wanindu Hasaranga, Liam Livingstone
• Bowlers: Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Chris Woakes

Also read: Fan2Play vs Dream11 – What’s the difference?

Match Prediction

England should be too strong in this match.