Sri Lanka would be desperate to break away from the current run and hope that the change in the venue results in a change in fortunes as the action shifts to Southampton. With the series already gone, a consolatory victory will do much good for the team.
If anything, the first two T20Is was an embodiment of how things have gone downhill for Sri Lanka in the last few years, while England have gone from strength to strength over the same period. A stark contrast between the two teams, their personnel, their approach, and their management, was clearly visible throughout the run of play.
Sri Lanka scored 129 and 111 in these matches. Danushka Gunathilaka is a flamboyant stroke-maker, but runs have not quite flowed from his willow. Kusal Perera was overly cautious in the second match, and no real urgency was shown by Kusal Mendis in his run-a-ball 39.
Admittedly, England bowlers have been spot on: Mark Wood has sprinkled precision to his pace, Adil Rashid kept sneaking in parsimonious overs, while the others, too, did a decent job. But it is not that these things are previously unheard of, and Sri Lanka never played against such an attack.
Their bowlers, however, have shown promises. Chasing 112, England skidded to 36/4 at one point. The ploy to use Wanindu Hasaranga against Jason Roy in the Powerplay worked in Sri Lanka’s favour last time.
Roy will be opening the innings with Jonny Bairstow here as well, after Jos Buttler was ruled out due to a calf injury. England’s main concern has been Dawid Malan’s rough patch. Runs have dried up, and he needs a big score soon.
Wood has been terrific, and his no-holds-barred approach against the middle order has now stagnated Sri Lanka’s innings twice. England are, however, likely to rest him in Southampton; Chris Woakes may replace him.
Head to Head
England have won seven matches, while Sri Lanka only four.
Probable XIs
Sri Lanka: Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera (c), Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Akila Dananjaya, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando
England: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Eoin Morgan (c), Sam Billings, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, David Willey, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Chris Woakes
Prediction
England to make it 3-0.