Heading into the third and last ODI, one positive for Sri Lanka is the weather forecast: it is expected to rain. This is the only factor, that may help them avoid a clean sweep. Their performance on this tour has been dispiriting.
Everything that could have gone wrong for them, has. The call for playing aggressive cricket has not yet brought the results they would have hoped. Staring at their sixth straight defeat, they have already become the subject of mockery, but one that stems from constant despair.
Their batting has been abysmal. Pathum Nissanka has a combined total of 10 runs from the first two games. Avishka Fernando, once touted as the most promising talent, has almost faded away from the scene, due to recurrent injury.
Kusal Perera made 73 in the first match and Dhananjaya de Silva made a run-a-ball 91 in his comeback game, but they are yet to click as a unit.
On the bowling front, things do look a little better. Wanindu Hasaranga has been a brilliant addition. Dushmantha Chameera has chipped in with regular wickets. But they have not got much support.
England do not have much to play for here other than ensuring another whitewash. But they can rely upon their bench strength, resting some major names ahead of their upcoming assignment against Pakistan.
Tom Banton has been added in as a replacement for Dawid Malan. Considering Banton’s form, England may be tempted to give him a nod. Joe Root, England’s lynchpin in both wins, may be rested to make way for Banton.
Other than that, expect Sussex speedster George Garton to make his ODI debut for England. He is likely to replace Mark Wood.
Head to Head
England maintain the edge with a 38-36 scoreline.
Probable XIs
England: Jonny Bairstow (wk), Jason Roy, Tom Banton, Eoin Morgan (c), Sam Billings, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Liam Dawson, Chris Woakes, George Garton, Tom Curran.
Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera (c & wk), Oshada Fernando, Avishka Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Dasun Shanaka, Chamika Karunaratne, Binura Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando.
Prediction:
England to clean-sweep the ODI series as well.