Eng v SL, 3rd ODI Preview: Sri Lanka hope recover from the drubbing

A record opening stand between Jason Roy and Alex Hales powered England to an overwhelming victory in the 2nd ODI of the Royal London series against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston. It was a rout for the Sri Lankans. This beating by the Englishmen would have certainly hit their confidence level very badly. Both batsmen thrashed centuries and bossed over their opposition. But, unfortunately, they don’t have much time to recover from the hefty blows they received from Roy-Hales duo and will have start preparing for the 3rd ODI to be played at Bristol’s County ground.

England:

The confidence level in the England camp will be high. Their bowlers have done a great job so far. The seam bowling attack consistent of David Willey, Chris Woakes and Liam Plunkett have been outstanding. The trio has shared 9 wickets among them so far in the two games. Leg spinner Adil Rashid was yet gain very economical and returned with 2/34 after going wicketless in the first game.

Moeen Ali has also played an appreciable part as a supporting bowler to him. The batting largely remains untested. The openers have shown their worth after failing in the first game. However, the like of Joe Root Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler are yet to come out and give their best. Tomorrow’s match will be a good opportunity. They would also hope that Jos Buttler is in the same vein of form like he was in the game. The hosts would definitely want to extend their lead in the series which now is now 4-game affair, in a sense.

Probable XI

Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Eoin Morgan (C), Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, David Willey, Liam Plunkett. Adil Rashid.

Sri Lanka:

Sri Lanka might want to forget about the drubbing and look forward to the next game. The Lankans looked prepared for the challenge but were completely stunned by the opposition. They can still seek confidence from the 1st ODI and should understand that ODIs are their best chance to narrow the overall gap in the points table. The stability factor still lacks at the top. The openers Kusal Perera and Danusha Gunathilaka refuse to stay for a longer duration of time.

Kusal Mendis dry run in the coloured jersey extended by one more match while Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews continue to be the backbone of the batting order. Upul Tharanga played in his good old days. It’s needless to say that all Lankan bowlers were wicketless in the previous game and will hope to create a larger impact tomorrow. With the pitch likely to assist spinners, Suraj Randiv can have a bigger role to play.

Probable XI:

Danuskha Gunathilaka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Angelo Mathews (C), Sekkuge Prasanna, Upul Tharanga, Suraj Randiv, Dasun Shanaka, Farvez Maharoof, Suranga Lakmal

Stats:

• The first ODI played at the venue was co – incidentally between both the teams.
• Since August 2014, no ODIs have been played at the venue. The last game scheduled to be played at this venue between India and England was washed out without a ball being bowled.
• The highest team total by England at the County Ground is 320/8 which they registered against India in 2007 while Sri Lanks’s highest total at this venue is just 241 which also came against India in 2002.
• Sri Lanka has never won at this venue, losing two out of the two matches they have played here.

Pitch & Conditions:

The ground once owned by the legendary WG Grace has typically served as a good batting venue with little help to spinners. The climate will be chilly tomorrow with some certainty of rains.