3rd ODI – Sri Lanka v England: Preview, expected line-ups, how to watch and prediction
Sri Lanka and England meet in the third ODI - and series decider - tomorrow. Read our preview here...
England will look to complete an ODI series win in Sri Lanka tomorrow in what would be a morale-boosting triumph ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Saturday’s five-wicket victory was the tourists’ first in 12 ODIs on foreign soil and levelled the series at 1-1 ahead of tomorrow’s decider in Colombo.
The first two games were played at the R Premadasa Stadium – as will the clash on Monday – although the wicket has not been to England’s liking, particularly at the weekend with captain Harry Brook describing it as the “worst pitch” he had ever played on.
Fellow Yorkshire batter Joe Root, who made a match-winning 75, also said it was not a “great wicket for ODI cricket” despite England cruising to their victory target of 220 with 22 balls to spare.
Brook’s Sri Lankan counterpart Charith Asalanka did not join in the condemnation but did admit: “I didn’t expect the pitch for the second match would be like that. We had got 270-280 in the first match and no one likes to get fewer runs than that, because you’ve got to give your bowlers something to defend.
“Unfortunately the pitch for the second match had changed from the first game. That said, it still wasn’t a 220-run pitch – my goal while batting had been to get to 250 or 260.”
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Team News for Sri Lanka v England
Sri Lanka are set to recall spinning all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga after he was rested for the first two games. Hasaranga, who will take the place of Pavan Rathnayake, took seven-for-19 at the same venue against Zimbabwe in 2024.
England will probably keep the same XI and resist the temptation to recall opener Zak Crawley, after he missed Saturday’s game with a knee injury. Rehan Ahmed will continue in an unfamiliar role at the top of the order.
Predicted teams for Sri Lanka v England
Sri Lanka: Nissanka, Mishara, Mendis (wk), De Silva, Asalanka (c), Liyange, Hasaranga, Wellalage, Madushan, Vandersay, Fernando
England: Ahmed, Duckett, Root, Bethell, Brook (c), Buttler (wk), Jacks, Curran, Overton, Dawson, Rashid
How to watch Sri Lanka v England
The third 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 for Sri Lanka v England
The return of Hasaranga could be key, although England will hope to counter that with the brilliance of Adil Rashid.
Sri Lanka to edge it.