England Vs Sri Lanka, Match Preview
After hosting the World Test Championship Finals, Cricket returns to the Ageas Bowl for a dead rubber. England takes on Sri Lanka as they look to sweep the series. The game will start earlier and be played throughout the day. The first two games were easy pickings for England, and not much is expected in the third, with Sri Lanka rolling over quickly. The games haven’t provided many thrills, barring Sam Curran’s brilliant kick to run out Gunathilaka in the second T20I.
The English bowling has been too good as Sri Lanka scored 129 and 111 in the two games. The run rate has been relatively low, and Sri Lanka struggled with a poor batting line-up. Sri Lanka’s bowling may have a little more to talk about as they had brief moments in their defense during the second game. They picked up some early wickets, but Livingston and Billings calculated the chase well and finished the game with ease.
The difference between the two sides has been vast, and the rankings suggest the same. However, England may have a little less to work with for the third T20I. Jos Buttler has been ruled out of the rest of the white ball tour with a calf injury. His absence will allow Bairstow to open with Jason Roy, a prospect that won’t bring much comfort to Sri Lanka, while the likes of Moeen Ali could come into the side.
England Vs Sri Lanka, Team News
As mentioned, Buttler will be missing the rest of the series and the ODI series due to an injury. Moeen Ali was brilliant in the IPL but has missed the last ten T20Is for England. His injury may allow Ali a chance. While Ali could get a go, Chris Woakes may be another player to slot in. He was rested in the second game, but he could be back in the squad with England’s rest and rotation policy. With Mark Wood likely to rest, the slot opens up for Woakes.
Sri Lanka may look to change their batting line-up after two failures. The batting has struggled with Kusal Mendis and Isuru Udana, helping Sri Lanka crawl to a total above 100 in the second T20I. With the series decided, Sri Lanka could bring in their 22-year-old all-rounder. Dhananjaya Lakshan is a powerful hitter and a handy bowler. He did well in the Lanka Premier League. With the side struggling, Lakshan could be a fresh face in a squad that has disappointed.
England Vs, Sri Lanka, Predicted XIs
England: (possible) 1 Jason Roy, 2 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 3 Dawid Malan, 4 Eoin Morgan (capt), 5 Liam Livingstone, 6 Sam Billings, 7 Sam Curran, 8 David Willey, 9 Chris Woakes, 10 Chris Jordan, 11 Adil Rashid
Sri Lanka: (possible) 1 Danushka Gunathilaka, 2 Avishka Fernando, 3 Kusal Perera (capt/wk), 4 Kusal Mendis, 5 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 6 Dasun Shanaka, 7 Wanindu Hasaranga, 8 Dhananjaya Lakshan, 9 Akila Dananjaya, 10 Dushmantha Chameera, 11 Binura Fernando
England Vs South Africa, Players to Watch out for
Dawid Malan
The number one T20I batter has struggled after a magnificent 99 in South Africa. Despite his performance and ranking, his position at number three is in question. His recent version for England and his county hasn’t been good, but Malan has managed to find himself in the ODI squad. After being drafted in the ODI squad, Malan may have some motivation to step up in the final T20I. He will be playing on what could be a flat pitch, which will give him the best chance to get back in form.
Wanindu Hasaranga
In a disastrous series, Hasaranga has been a small ray of hope. His bowling has been good in both games, and the leg-spinner has gone higher up the rankings. Sri Lanka will be hoping for one more brilliant performance from him so they could secure a consolation win.
England Vs Sri Lanka Pitch Report
The Ageas Bowl will be hosting its first T20 of the season. The WTC final was a low-scoring affair, with the pacers finding a lot of support. There will some bounce in the surface, and the weather will be fine unlike last week. The pitch may be easier to bat on, making it essential to bowl first after winning the toss.
