Sri Lanka vs England, Sri Lanka vs England 2021, Today Match Prediction 14 Jan 2021

sl vs eng Match Prediction & Analysis

Test cricket is dominating the cricketing arena for the past couple of months with some thrilling encounters and lame matches in between. England are all set to play six Test matches in the Asian starting with these two matches against Sri Lanka. England are currently fourth in the points table in ICC Test Championship and their chances to finish in top-2 depends on these two tours. Sri Lanka on the other hand are dominated by the South Africa in their conditions and will look to return to winning ways with a win in this match. Both teams will fight it out for the 60 ICC test championship points on offer in this match.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Sri Lanka Preview

Sri Lanka have a superb batting line-up with experienced players Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dananjaya de Silva, and Dinesh Chandimal to support their skipper Dimuth Karunaratne in the line-up. All-rounders Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, and Dilruwan Perera will add depth to their batting line-up.

Suranga Lakmal is expected to be their strike pace bowler with the likes of Dasun Shanaka and Vishwa Fernando to provide support to him. Wanidu Hasaranga, Dilruwan perera and Dananjaya De Silva will take care of the spin bowling department.

Top players to bet on:

Dimuth Karunaratne – Karunaratne scored a fighting century in his last innings against South Africa in testing conditions and will be high on confidence. He will look to inspire his team by leading from the front with his performances.

Wanidu Hasaranaga – Hasaranga has been one of the bright stars for SL in the recent matches. He picked up 4 wickets and hit a half-century in the 2 matches in South Africa. He will be waiting to play his first test in his home conditions.

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Kusal Perera, Dananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dilruwan Perera, Wanidu Hasaranga, Suranga Lakmal, Vishwa Fernando

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Perera, Asitha Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Mendis, Lasith Embuldeniya, Dinesh Chandimal, Wanidu Hasaranga

England Preview

England is expected open with young Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley followed by Johnny Bairstow and Joe Root at No. 3 & 4 positions respectively. Jos Buttler and Ben Foakes are expected to play in the lower middle order followed by all-rounder Chris Woakes. Moeen Ali is not available for the first test owing to his positive COVID Test.

England team is expected to rotate it`s 6 pacers in these conditions. Stuart Broad and Sam Curran are expected to get the nod ahead of Jimmy Anderson in the first test. Jack leach and Dominic Bess are expected to partner in the spin bowling department. They might be tempted to add one of the reserve spinners in the squad depending on the pitch conditions.

Top players to bet on:

Joe Root – Joe Root has failed to score a century in his last 9 Test matches dating back from Nov 2019. He is a class batsmen and will look to run drought and look to lead his team from front in the alien conditions here.

Jack Leach – Jack leach picked up 18 wickets in just 3 matches last series at Sri Lanka. He will look to lead the spin attack in the absence of Moeen Ali this time around.

England Predicted Playing XI:

Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley , Johnny Bairstow, Joe Rot (C), Jos Buttler, Ben Foakes (wk), Jack Leach, Dominic Bess, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Sam Curran/Matt Parkinson

England Actual Playing XI:

Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Jack Leach, Daniel Lawrence, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, Zak Crawley, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Dom Bess, Dominic Sibley

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

Galle is expected to have cloudy and dark conditions all days of the match. Faster bowlers might enjoy seam movement in this pitch. Rain will have a certain impact in this match for sure.  

Venue Details

Galle is expected to be a typical sub-continental conditions where the ball is expected to turn and bounce. The average score at this venue is 300+ runs and batsmen will find it easier to bat on the first 3 days of the match.   

Toss: To Bat

Batting first is the best option in the sub-continental conditions as batting becomes very difficult on day 5.  Both captains will look to bat first if they win the toss.