England will play against Sri Lanka in the second game of the 3-match ODI series. This series is part of the CWC Super League and England recently beat Sri Lanka in the first game to top the table.
Match Timings: July 01, 5:30 PM IST
Team Preview
Sri Lanka and England will lock horns in the second game of the three-match ODI series and England have already taken a 1-0 lead. English side is just one win away to clinch their first ODI series win after July 2020. This series is part of ICC’s CWC Super League and it will decide the qualification for the next ODI World Cup which is scheduled in India in 2023.
The downfall of Sri Lanka in international cricket continues as they lost one more match on this tour. They have been outplayed by the English side. Kusal Perera and Hasaranga batted very well with scoring half-centuries but the middle-order collapsed. Sri Lanka managed to post 185 while batting first. Sri Lankan bowlers fought hard and picked four wickets on 80 but they had very less total to defend. Joe Root scored unbeaten 79 to seal the game. Chris Woakes picked a 4-wicket haul and bowled five maidens in his spell.
Now, each game is important for Sri Lanka if they look for the qualification for WC 2023. Considering the poor form, they might play qualifier this time. Only 8 teams including India will take direct entry into the World Cup and two teams will be decided through World Cup qualifier. Last time, West Indies and Afghanistan played the qualifier.
Sri Lanka now six games out of seven this year in ODIs and all games came down under. Meanwhile, England’s task is getting easier as the Sri Lankan side is making lot of mistakes. Livingstone and Jonny Bairstow will open for England. Sam Billings will look for some runs and we saw Moeen Ali in the last game so Morgan may make some changes. English side is rotating their players.
England now have topped the table in Super League with 50 points. They previously lost to Australia and India in the ODI series with winning just two games so finally, they will look to break this pattern.
Pitch Report
Kennington Oval offers good help to the bowlers as pacers can get the extra bounce. Batsmen will take advantage later the match progresses. Anything above 275 would be a competitive total and we might expect a 300 plus total tonight.
Possible XI
England
Jonny Bairstow (wk), Liam Livingstone, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (c), Sam Billings, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, David Willey, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
Sri Lanka
Kusal Perera (c & wk), Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Chamika Karunaratne, Binura Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Praveen Jayawickrama
Key Players
England
Sam Billings
Jason Roy
Sri Lanka
Wanindu Hasaranga
Kusal Perera
