Eng v SL, 4th ODI Preview: Battered Lankans aiming for redemption

With the previous match being rained out at Bristol, England may well go on to secure the England v Sri Lanka ODI series should they force a win at The Oval. Moreover, in spite of having decent luck with the toss, the Sri Lankans have failed to make an impact in the series thus far. However, with the rain and two matches tied, there is certainly scope for some good cricket to be played in the bilateral series. That said, a mouthwatering encounter is certainly on the cards as the two sides with everything to prove to take on each other at The Oval.

Pitch conditions:

The Oval is perhaps one of England’s most iconic grounds. Although lives on in the shadow of Lord’s, situated in the same city, it is one of both side’s better hunting grounds. Moreover, this ground also supports both batsmen and bowlers in equal capacities. However, the disclaimer comes with a stern Term & Condition that only for those players who are willing to apply themselves. However, rain is expected to play yet another intervention as the completion of the series hangs in the balance.

Team Analysis-

England:

England is on a high. Not because of their recent triumph in the Test series, but because of their impressive performances in the form they have struggled with in the past. At the moment, it doesn’t seem as though they would be needing to make any changes to the squad with all players performing extremely well.

The focus at the moment will be on wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler. With the latter inching ever so close to the 2000-run ODI mark, it is highly likely that he will be pushed up the batting order should circumstances arise. He will also be joined in the limelight by Alex Hales and Joe Root as the latter aim to impress in the upcoming encounter.

Sri Lanka:

In a nutshell, this has been a terrible series for the Lankans. Having been blanked 2-0 in the Test series, the Lankans now face the prospect of not winning a single match on the tour and going home without anything. However, despite this, the batting unit has managed to unearth a few magnificent performers. Upul Tharanga and Farvez Maharoof have been the ones who have made a decent comeback.

However, the likes of Sekkuge Prasanna and Danushka Gunathilaka have also been impressive in their current batting slots with Angelo Mathews also impressing with both bat and ball.

Probable XI-

England:

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

Sri Lanka:

Angelo Mathews (C), Dinesh Chandimal (WK), Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Sekkuge Prasanna, Upul Tharanga, Farvez Maharoof, Dasun Shanaka, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal

StAttack:

1. Jos Buttler requires 109 runs to complete 2000 ODI runs. Buttler also needs 51 runs to complete 500 runs against Sri Lanka.

2. Sri Lanka has won just four of the 10 matches they have played at the Oval. Moreover, they have won three of their last five matches.

3. Angelo Mathews requires just one wicket to complete 50 wickets in ODIs. Although he may not be playing ODI cricket at the moment, Steven Finn needs 2 wickets to complete 100 wickets in ODIs.

4. 7 of the last 10 matches has seen the team chasing win the match at The Oval.

5. Angelo Mathews is the highest run-getter in ENG v SL ODI contests with 702 runs to his name. In the current scheme of things, Mathews also has the most number of 50+ scores with 5 to his name.

6. Chris Jordan has the highest number of wickets in ENG v SL ODI encounters with 23 wickets to his name.