England will start their limited-overs series against Sri Lanka and the first T20I of the series will be played in Cardiff.
Match Timings: June 23, 11 PM IST
Team Preview
England will start their white-ball assignment this summer and the first side will be Sri Lanka. It will be a great warm-up for both sides for the upcoming T20I series. England recently played to India in T20Is and gave a tough time to India. Hosts defeated them 3-2 in the series but Morgan would be impressed with his side. England defeated South Africa 3-0 in the T20I series last year and played a 1-1 draw with Pakistan at home.
England have recalled Dawson, Willey, and Woakes into the T20I squad. They have picked a strong squad for the series and they are a top side. England last lost a T20I series at home in 2018 against India. Roy and Bairstow will open for England, followed by Malan, Morgan and Buttler in middle-order. Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood and Chris Jordan may lead the pace-attack. Adil Rashid will be the only spinner. Moeen Ali might be considered as an all-round option or England can pick either Livingstone or Billings there.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is in the rebuilding process but in the shorter format, they might be underdogs. Amid the salary issues with the board, players traveled to the UK and now, they are ready for the toughest task. Kusal Perera will lead the side who was appointed the new white-ball captain of Sri Lanka. He failed to deliver in his first series as captain. Sri Lanka are coming off a 2-1 loss to Bangladesh but it will be the first T20I series for the Lankan side under Perera.
Nuwan Pradeep, Avishka Fernando, Oshada Fernando have been recalled to the Lankan side. Selectors also picked some uncapped players Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya Lakshan and Ishan Jayaratne. One Test old Praveen Jayawickrama, has also been included in the squad. Sri Lanka last played to West Indies but lost to hosts 2-1. They haven't been a part of the T20I series during the covid break but players played Lanka T20 League last year.
England and Sri Lanka are featuring in the long 3-match T20I series for the first time. They have played nine T20Is before and England have won five matches and four came out of the last five encounters. England are favourites here but the Lankan side can surprise hosts. They have done in the past when they beat number one T20 side Pakistan 3-0.
Pitch Report
Cardiff’s surface is good for batting and we might expect a high-scoring game tonight. Pacers will take extra advantage from the pitch and spin can control runs in middle-overs. Chasing will be an ideal call after winning the toss.
Possible XI
England
Eoin Morgan (C), Dawid Malan, Jonathan Bairstow, Jos Buttler (WK), Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Chris Jordan, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
Sri Lanka (final squad)
Kusal Perera (c), Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Nuwan Pradeep, Lakshan Sandakan, Akila Dananjaya
Key Players
England
Jason Roy
He is in top form and might be a top-scorer tonight
Dawid Malan
Top at the T20 rankings & leading run-getter for ENG in past one year
Sri Lanka
Wanindu Hasaranga
A top-class player for SL in past one year, handy with bat and crucial with his spin
Danushka Gunathilaka
He has been a standout performer for SL at the top, domestic numbers are great
