12BET Predictions: England vs Sri Lanka, First One Day International
England will face off against Sri Lanka in the first ODI of Lanka’s tour of England. This will be the first ODI match out of a three-match series. Both teams will want to play some good cricket and build momentum. They will be focused on winning this upcoming bilateral series and move on to bigger and better things.
England:
England whitewashed Sri Lanka in the three-match T20 series, playing some great live cricket. Eoin Morgan and the company will be pretty confident to achieve the same feat in the ODIs. Joe Root has been roped into the team, refreshing news for the side. The Test skipper last played an ODI game in September 2020. However, injuries sure have hit the team. Jos Buttler was ruled out of the series due to a calf injury making way for Dawid Malan. Jason Roy also missed the third T20I due to a tight hamstring. There is no update on Roy’s injury.
The ODI series could be a chance for Root to showcase his white-ball prowess and skipper Morgan to get back into form. Woakes and Adil Rashid hold the key in the bowling department and it will be interesting to see how Sam Curran is utilized.
England Squad: Eoin Morgan, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Billings, Joe Root, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
Sri Lanka:
Sri Lanka faced heavy defeats in the T20 series, the third match defeat coming by 89 runs. The 2014 World Cup champion team are undergoing a process of change. Their youngsters have been handed opportunities but the inexperience is simply showing. They lost an OFI series in Bangladesh too and England in these conditions are a much harsher challenge. Avishka Fernando has sustained an injury to his right quadriceps (Grade 2 Tear) during the 2nd T20I and will be missing the ODIs.
Sri Lanka Squad: Kusal Perera (c), Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya De Silva, Oshada Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Ishan Jayaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Isuru Udana, Asitha Fernando, Nuwan Pradeep, Binura Fernando, Shiran Fernando, Lakshan Sandakan, Akila Dananjaya, Praveen Jayawickrama
HEAD-TO-HEAD
England and Sri Lanka have faced each other 75 times in One Day Internationals. England have won 36 matches and the Lankans have emerged victorious on 36 occasions.
PREDICTION:
With the swinging conditions, England’s Chris Woakes and Mark Wood will be drooling to get some outer edges early on. Joe Root’s presence in the middle only strengthens the host’s batting and Morgan should be able to register a win in the first ODI. For Sri Lanka to win, the youngsters will have to be ready to take huge responsibility and bat through the innings.
Date and Time:
Tuesday, June 29, 2021, 3:30 PM IST
Venue:
Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street
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