ICC Cricket World Cup: Jaded England face Sri Lankan challenge
Defending world champions England face Sri Lanka in match number 25 of the ICC Cricket World Cup in Bengaluru on Thursday. England are placed ninth in the 10-team table with Sri Lanka occupying the eighth place. Both these teams have won one game and lost three. England suffered massive defeats versus Afghanistan and South Africa before this and will want to show character.
Pitch report, timing, and TV listing
The pitch at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will favor batters at large, making it worthwhile for stroke play. As per ESPNcricinfo, across 27 ODIs, the average runs per over here is 5.60. 12 matches have been won by sides batting first (L12 T1 NR2). One can watch the match live on the Star Sports Network from 2:00pm IST.
SL have won each of the last 4 WC meetings
The two teams have faced each other in 78 ODIs to date. England have the edge, winning 38 to Sri Lanka's 36 (T1, NR3). In the ICC Cricket World Cup, things have been tight. England have claimed six wins. The Lankans have posted five victories. Sri Lanka have won each of the last four World Cup clashes between the two sides.
Can England find a rhythm?
England need a big performance from their batters. Somehow things aren't clicking and a revival can be found with key partnerships and a big knock or two. England were dealt with an injury blow to Reece Topley as Brydon Carse replaced him. Bowling remains a question for England as they were thrashed heavily by South Africa in the previous game.
What about the Lankans?
Sri Lanka need a collective effort as well and be at their best across all three departments. In batting, the side will look up to opener Pathum Nissanka and skipper Kusal Mendis. Meanwhile, Dilshan Madushanka can be effective with the ball.
Here are the likely starting XIs
England probable XI: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (captain & wk), Harry Brook, Chris Woakes, David Willey, Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood. Sri Lanka probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (captain & wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha/Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka.
Root, Mendis, and Nissanka eye these milestones
Joe Root has 6,418 ODI runs and can become the second England player with 6,500-plus runs. He is one shy of 50 ODI maximums (49). Mendis is 67 shy of the 3,500-run mark in ODIs. Nissanka is the second-highest scorer in ODIs this year (985) and can become the second player to clock 1,000-plus runs after Shubman Gill.
