England vs Sri Lanka, ENG vs SL, Today Match Prediction 04 July 2021

eng vs sl Match Prediction & Analysis

The 2nd ODI between England and Sri Lanka went as expected as the home side crushed the visitors by 8 wickets and clinched the series with 1 match still to go. Sri Lanka haven’t won a game throughout this limited-overs tour to England and it seems likely that they will go empty-handed given the way they have played. England, the reigning world champions, have been absolutely dominating and are all set to take the series 3-0 after a affecting similar result in the T20I series.

TEAMS PREVIEW

England Preview

England have been brutal and clinical in all aspects this ODI series. Even though they are without the likes of star all-rounder Ben Stokes and pace bowler Jofra Archer, they have hardly been affected. In the last ODI, they restricted Sri Lanka to 241-9 and then chased the target down in just 43 overs with 8 wickets to spare. 

Opener Jason Roy, who was rested for the first ODI, immediately made an impact with a blistering 60 off 52 balls. Joe Root (65* off 87 balls) and captain Eoin Morgan (75* off 83 balls) then sealed things off with a commanding 140-run partnership. This batting order is just too strong with Root (who now has two unbeaten fifties in a row) and Morgan manning the middle and the likes of Sam Billings, Moeen Ali, and Sam Curran waiting down the order. Jonny Bairstow partnering Roy at the top makes it a dangerous combination. 

England’s bowling has been impressive too. Left-arm seamers David Willey and Sam Curran took all the 9 wickets to fall in the last ODI with Curran returning with career-best figures of 5-48. Mark Wood is potent as ever in the middle. But the team might bring in Chris Woakes back in place of Tom Curran for the last ODI.

England Predicted Playing XI:

Jonny Bairstow (wk), Jason Roy, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (c), Sam Billings, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, David Willey/ George Garton, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

England Actual Playing XI:

Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Sam Billings, Jason Roy, AU Rashid, Moeen Ali, Eoin Morgan, Tom Curran, Sam Curran, David Jonathan Willey, CR Woakes

Sri Lanka Preview

Sri Lanka managed a better batting performance in the 2nd ODI; reaching 241-9 after being bowled out for 185 is certainly an improvement. But it was never going to be enough against this strong English side on their home turf. 

Dhananjaya de Silva’s 91 was the highlight of the Lankan innings. But barring him and Dasun Shanaka (47 off 67 balls), there was hardly any contribution from the rest. Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando have been disappointing. And Captain Kusal Perera would have to lead from the front once again along with Wanindu Hasaranga and De Silva if they hope to challenge England. 

Sri Lanka’s bowling did make an impact in the 1st ODI but it was pretty ordinary in the second one. Dushmantha Chameera, who took 3-50 in the first match, went wicket-less in the last one. Binura Fernando, Asitha Fernando, and Chamika Karunaratne all looked listless as the English batsmen made merry. Only Wanindu Hasaranga got some help with his leg breaks but even that wasn’t enough.

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Jonny Bairstow (wk), Jason Roy, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (c), Sam Billings, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, David Willey, Tom Curran, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Dushmantha Chameera, Avishka Fernando, Binura Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Wanidu Hasaranga, Oshada Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The County Ground in Bristol has traditionally been known to be very good for batting. Like all English surfaces, this one too offers some help to the seamers. But batsmen generally enjoy the hardness of the surface here and the way the ball comes on nicely to the bat.

A couple of showers are expected over Bristol on the day of the game but we should still see a full match.
 

Venue Details

Of the ODIs played at the County Ground so far, the highest total is England’s 369-9 against the West Indies in 2017. Totals of 300+ have been achieved 7 times here but the average score batting first on the venue is 241. However, this surface generally remains great for batting all the way through these days, and if England bats first, we might be looking at a huge total again. 

Toss: To Bowl

The team winning the toss is likely to bat second. Some rain is expected on the day of the game as chasing would hence be the better option.