ENG vs SL: England is having a dismal show in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023 as more than wins they have losses in their kitty. They are coming into this clash on the back of two losses against Afghanistan & South Africa. On the other hand, Sri Lanka registered their maiden points by winning their last game against the Netherlands.
The Sri Lankan captain will be happy with the kind of performance they have displayed against the Netherlands. They will try to do the same against Defending Champions in this clash. Opener Pathum Nissanka has scored 3 consecutive fifties & will be the player to watch out for Sri Lanka at the top order. Another major positive for Sri Lanka is the comeback of their bowling attack which was quite expensive in the first two matches. Lankan bowlers finally found their mojo in their fixture against Australia & Netherlands. But their clash against England will be in Bengaluru which is the batters’ haven & the bowlers on both sides will need to do a lot of hard work to win this fixture.
ENG vs SL TEAMS PREVIEW
England Preview
If England wins the remaining of their matches still they will end up at 12 points which is not enough to get through the semifinals. They are going through a rough patch & will need to be ahead in the competition by defeating Sri Lanka in this fixture. After this clash, England will head to Lucknow to face India which will be England’s biggest test. To get back into form England players need to find their lost form & deliver in consistency. Jonny Bairstow and Dawid Malan will be crucial as openers followed by the experienced Joe Root at number 3. These top three need to set the stage for the middle order to score runs. Their middle order comprising Ben Stokes and Harry Brook who failed to get on scoring terms in the last fixture will aim to get back to form in this fixture.
Chris Woakes & Sam Curran failed to get going against Afghanistan & thus lost their spot against South Africa. There are chances of bringing anyone of them back into the lineup for this fixture. The bowling department has been an issue for the side as they don’t have a reliable wicket-taker in place who could deliver consistently. Adil Rashid, Reece Topley, and Mark Wood will be the key bowlers to watch out for England.
England Predicted Playing XI:
Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c & wk), David Willey, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Reece Topley
Sri Lanka Preview
The campaign for Sri Lanka in the ODI World Cup 2023 has been hot & cold so far. It started with Sri Lanka making a huge blunder by conceding 400+ runs but later they managed to get back into order by winning their next fixtures with the ball. Losing the match to Pakistan has been a huge disappointment for Dasun Shanaka. Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samawickrama scored a hundred each in the middle-order to take Sri Lanka to 344 runs while batting first.
Though Sri Lanka lost the fixture by 6 wickets, Madhushanka starred with the ball by scalping regular wickets. Though he has just 10 ODIs to his name, he’s been right on the target in recent outings. The Sri Lankan clan welcomed Rajitha in their last fixture & he kept the team’s expectations by registering a four-wicket haul along with Madhushanka. Theekshana will be their key player in the spin order & with De Silva at their sight Lanka will be in pursuit of success in their recent fixture. Nissanka & Perera will aim to get going at the top order. There is enough firepower in this top order with Kusal Mendis at number 3. Mendis will aim to build a lethal stand if Sri Lanka loses early wickets at the top. While Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka will aim to deliver at the 4 & 5 spot, the role of No 3 batter is of utmost importance in the ODI format.
Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka
ENG vs SL Pitch & Weather Conditions
The pitch is a batters’ haven where Australia has last scored 367 runs in their last ODI. Spinners can get some aid at this surface but with smaller boundaries, there is no chance of error on this ground. The weather will be bright & sunny with almost 31 degrees Celsius in Bengaluru.
Chinnaswamy stadium has a record of average first innings score of 235 runs in ODIs but considering the stats of the recent fixture a 300+ first innings total will be competitive for chasing.
Toss to Bowl
The team winning the toss should opt to bowl first at this venue. It is a high-scoring venue & the team chasing has an upper hand at this venue. Both the teams have promising batters & their bowling is a big trouble for them. Thus the team winning the toss should opt to bowl first as chasing can be their biggest strength.
ENG vs SL Winning prediction
It is a battle of two out of the teams that are struggling to get back into the groove with the ball. And to play on this ground where the batters get aid will be a boon for both the teams who have a strong batting order. However, England has a more experienced side with a deeper batting lineup and will be the superior side coming into this match.
We Predict England to win this fixture
Also read, Glenn Maxwell registers the fastest Century in ODI World Cups
