Eng v SL 5th ODI Preview: Sri Lanka hope to salvage some pride

England and Sri Lanka will square off for the final time in the ODI series at Cardiff. With the ODI series coming to close, the empty-handed Lankans will certainly be hoping to salvage something from the series that has been just another disappointment for them following the end of the World T20. However, at Cardiff, the stakes will be high as both sides clash for the final time in the ODI series.

Pitch Conditions:

Sophia Gardens in Cardiff is certainly one of the newer grounds in a relative term. Although it has been operational for ODIs only in recent time, it has churned out some of the cricket’s finest results. Rain is expected to play a part in the proceedings as it has on several occasions in the past. Moreover, the wicket is expected to be a batting paradise. However, with both teams also not having the best of fortunes at this venue, it will certainly be an exciting encounter to watch.

Team Analysis

England

Apart from the points table showing a massive see-saw, the Brits have been in amazing form of late. The points table at the moment reads 16 to 4 (including the Test series of course), and it calls for what has been a ruthless showing by the home team.

Jason Roy was in full flow in the previous match with a fantastically compiled 162. His second century in the series also saw him become the highest run-getter in the series as well as rank high on the strike-rate list as well. Moreover, the fact that Roy has been marginally consistent in the past few weeks also enumerates his fantastic skill and talent.

Apart from Roy, England might have to bring in James Vince as cover for the injured Alex Hales. The England opener did not bat at The Oval courtesy of a back strain and may be the one to miss out at Cardiff. Moreover, it will open up a good chance for the selectors to rotate the squad having clinched the ODI series.

Sri Lanka

The tour to England has been a harsh reality for an inexperienced Sri Lankan side. Having failed to claim a win in any of their matches on the tour, the Lankans will be hoping for a miracle to happen at Cardiff. Although they have been decent in the limited-overs’ format, the Lankans have been on the wrong side of the results.

However, in spite of that, the limelight will be on the 31-year old Upul Tharanga. Having played most of his cricket in the opening slot, Tharanga has found a place for himself in the XI at the lower middle-order. Moreover, it has also been a position that he has been effective in and it will also be a position that he would be hoping to cement.

Unlike England, the Lankans are certainly not forced into any changes. However, once again, squad rotation could play a role as the Lankans could make  few changes for the final ODI of the series.

Probable XI-

England:

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

Sri Lanka:

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

StAttack:

1. Sophia Gardens in Cardiff seems to be a terrible hunting ground for both teams as they haven’t had the best of success. In two matches, the Lankans have failed to claim a victory while England has won just 4 of the eight matches they have played at this venue.

2. Sophia Gardens at Cardiff also has an impeccable record of having a plethora of tied or no results. Of 17 ODIs played at this venue, 4 matches have either been a tie or not had a result.

3. Steven Finn requires 2 wickets to complete 100 wickets in ODI cricket.

4. Jos Buttler needs 92 runs to complete 2000 runs in ODI cricket.

5. Jason Roy’s 162 against Sri Lanka in the fourth ODI at The Oval saw him become one of the few players to smash 100 boundaries in ODI cricket. Moreover, the 25-year old explosive batsman also requires 160 runs to complete 1000 runs in ODI cricket.