First ODI – Sri Lanka v England: Preview, expected line-ups, how to watch on TV and prediction

Harry Brook has asked the England fans to “trust in his cricket, on and off the field” as he prepares to lead his side in the first of three one-day internationals in Sri Lanka.

Brook will captain the team in the 50-over format after a brutal winter that has seen the Yorkshireman have to apologise for being punched by a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand, prior to his part in England’s woeful attempts to regain the Ashes in Australia.

The 26-year-old was involved in the altercation with the doorman the night before England’s third ODI in Wellington on November 1 – a game his side lost. He was fined and handed a final warning even though the incident was not made public until after the final Ashes Test in Sydney, which England also lost to complete a hugely disappointing 4-1 series defeat.

Brook was a part of a batting line-up that failed horribly in Australia and he concedes he has plenty of making up to do.

Speaking before tomorrow’s first ODI in Colombo, he said: “They [the fans] have every right to be annoyed. I’ve made a terrible mistake.

“I’ve put myself in a situation which I shouldn’t have done. Did it affect my cricket? I don’t think so. I’d have still played the same way. Obviously, I didn’t get a score that I’d have liked, but I still played the same way.

“I’m extremely sorry to all the supporters for what I did in New Zealand. I’ve got to try and regain their trust again in my ability, in my cricket on the field and off the field. I’m hoping that they can expect I’ll be slightly different away from the game. I’ll be more professional.

“That’s what I’ve got to do now for the rest of my career, hopefully. I just want to be back playing as good cricket as I possibly can be.”

It is yet another unwanted distraction for England, who also had to answer accusations of a drinking culture during their mid-Ashes Tour trip to Noosa.

As captain, Brook knows he has to lead by example and added: “I’ve got a little bit of work to do to try and regain the trust of the players.

“I felt like I needed to say sorry for my actions. It’s not acceptable as a player, but as a captain it’s really not acceptable to do what I did in New Zealand. I hold my hands up.”

Several of the team that flopped against Australia will play tomorrow, including openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett.

Sri Lanka have had a serene build-up in comparison with their latest series – three T20s against Pakistan – ending in a draw with one washout.

This series precedes three T20 games and is part of the build-up to the T20 World Cup that takes place in India and Sri Lanka in February and March.

Team News

In addition to some Test players, England can also call upon white-ball specialists Jos Buttler, Adil Rashid and Sam Curran.

Sri Lanka have recalled Test captain Dhananjaya de Silva to the ODI squad, alongside left-arm spinning all-rounder Dunith Wellalage. Pacemen Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka have been left out.

Predicted line-ups

Sri Lanka: Nissanka, Mishara, Mendis, De Silva, Asalanka (c), Liyanage, Wellalage, Hasuranga, Fernando, Madushan, Malinga

England (confirmed): Crawley, Duckett, Root, Bethell, Brook (c), Buttler, Jacks, Curran, Overton, Dawson, Rashid

How to Watch

The first ODI between Sri Lanka and England starts tomorrow at 0900 UK time. You can watch it on TNT Sports and stream via the discovery+ app.

Prediction 

It’s tough to bet on England winning anything at the moment. This series is really to provide practice on slow, turning wickets on the sub-continent having spent the winter on the harder, bouncier tracks in Australia.

They may get off to a slow start so we’re going for a Sri Lanka win.