2nd ODI – Sri Lanka v England: Preview, expected line-ups, how to watch and prediction

Different country, different opposition, same outcome.

England’s miserable one-day international record continued on Thursday as they lost the first game in a three-match series in Sri Lanka.

It was their fourth ODI defeat on the trot and sixth in the last seven games. Coming hot on the heels of the dismal 4-1 series defeat in the Ashes and there is a sense of desperation around the England set-up at the minute.

With England cruising at 129 for one chasing a target of 272 it seemed the tourists were set for a morale-boosting win but then the Khettarama pitch that previously resembled a road changed and Sri Lanka’s spinners were good enough to take advantage.

England lost five wickets in 74 balls and the hosts surged towards a 19-run victory.

“[The toss] proved very crucial in the end. Sri Lanka played a very good game and deserved the victory,” said England’s white-ball captain Harry Brook.

“We bowled really well through the middle. Spinners bowled exceptionally well. But they got hold of us in the last over – but that’s part of one-day and white-ball cricket.

“They’ve got extremely good spinners who were able to get enough out of the surface. They challenged us in a lot of different departments.”

The second ODI is tomorrow at the same venue, placing huge emphasis on the toss. If Brook loses it again and England bat second it will be interesting to see if, or how, England – whose one-dimensional approach in the red-ball format has been widely criticised – change their approach.

Sri Lanka’s tactics won’t change and it was refreshing to see the hosts turning to spin to wrestle the game in their favour.

They are also hoping to improve tomorrow as both teams continue their build-up to the T20 World Cup, which takes place in Sri Lanka and India next month.

“There are a few areas we need to improve, especially fast bowling,” said skipper Charith Asalanka.

Team News for Sri Lanka v England in the 2nd ODI

Will Jacks was a late scratch on Thursday due to illness and was replaced by fellow spinner Rehan Ahmed. If he is passed fit to play, he may come back in. Neither Ahmed nor Jamie Overton impressed with the ball but both made decent contributions with the bat.

Overton’s place could come under threat from Brydon Carse or Luke Wood.

Sri Lanka will likely go with the same XI.

Predicted line-ups

Sri Lanka: Nissanka, Mishara, Mendis, De Silva, Asalanka (c(, Liyanage, Rathnayake, Wellalage, Madushan, Vandersay, Fernando

England: Crawley, Duckett, Root, Bethell, Brook (c), Buttler, Curran, Ahmed, Carse, Dawson, Rashid

How to Watch

The second 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

To win, especially if they lose the toss, England will have to adapt. Given they have spectacularly failed to do that under Brendon McCullum – despite claims to the contrary – it is tough to see a different outcome, although much will depend on the flip of the coin.