Sri Lankan team looks to be on a carriage on a descending slope with no brakes. They have now lost 31 out of their last 41 completed games. This is alarming for a team of world-class potential. The intensity of the issue can’t be summarised in a few words. They need to take some drastic measures, and they need to take that now. The first match proved that they are struggling in every game no matter where they play. On the other hand, England looks as calm as possible. They are improving their bench strength with every passing match. They are more confident than they have ever been before a world cup. If they play it right, they might create history in 2019. Let us check out the probable playing 11 for this game.
Head-to-Head:
Overall Matches – 71
Sri Lanka- 34
England- 34
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
| Total matches | 22 |
| Matches won batting first | 9 |
| Matches won bowling first | 13 |
| Average 1st Inns scores | 249 |
| Average 2nd Inns scores | 203 |
| Highest total recorded | 363/7 (50 Ov) by RSA vs SL |
| Lowest total recorded | 167/10 (43.2 Ov) by SL vs RSA |
| Highest score chased | 288/8 (48.1 Ov) by SL vs PAK |
| Lowest score defended | 206/9 (36 Ov) by WI vs SL |
Sri Lanka vs England 3rd ODI Ballebaazi Fantasy Cricket Preview
Sri Lanka
Kusal Perara put the oil in the fire for Sri Lankan selectors by injuring himself in the last match, making way for Sadeera Samarawickrama. This not only weakens the middle order but at the same time Sri Lanka will be missing out on Kusal’s experience as well. It looks like nothing is going their way. The only plus point from the previous match was the form which Malinga showed. He was in his brutal old form which will be a relief for the team if he can maintain that. There should not be any other change apart from that, and they might play with the same team.
England
It seems whatever England is touching right now is turning to gold. This was proved in the last match when the new-comer Olly Stone bowled an amazing short spell strengthening the bowling arsenal that England has. Dawson’s injury was disheartening, but it didn’t impact the team in a significant way. With Olly showing nice from, Mark Wood might have to sit on the bench for the next match, and either one of the Curran brothers can join the team. It will be interesting to see what bowling combination Morgan goes for in the next game. The batting line-up looks stable as one or the other is performing in every match.
| Sri Lanka | England |
| Dinesh Chandimal (c ) | Eoin Morgan (c) |
| Niroshan Dickwella(wk) | Jos Buttler (wk) |
| Sadeera Samarawickrama | Jason Roy |
| Upul Tharanga | Jonny Bairstow |
| Dhananjaya de Silva | Joe Root |
| Dasun Shanaka | Ben Stokes |
| Thisara Perera | Moeen Ali |
| Akila Dananjaya | Chris Woakes |
| Lakshan Sandakan | Sam Curran/Tom Curran |
| Lasith Malinga | Olly Stone |
| Nuwan Pradeep | Adil Rashid |
Sri Lanka vs England 3rd ODI Ballebaazi Fantasy Cricket Preview
