Eng v SL, 1st ODI Preview: Sri Lanka hoping to erase Test series humiliation

After finding themselves on the wrong side of the stick in the recently concluded Test series, Angelo Mathews and his Sri Lanka side will be hoping to erase the humiliation in the upcoming ODI series. The Lankans will certainly be well prepared following their series win against Ireland. However, with both sides meeting once more at Trent Bridge, a mouthwatering clash is certainly on the cards.

Pitch conditions

Perhaps one of the most iconic grounds in England, the Sri Lankans will be expected to enjoy the conditions at Trent Bridge. In spite of their dismal record, teams batting first have usually found joy by piling on the total. The average score batting first is almost 275. The wicket is expected to be good for batting apart from the fact that the conditions more or less will remain the same due to the overcast conditions. The weather is expected to be around 16 degrees with rain also expected to play a part in proceedings.

Team Analysis

England

After their series win over Sri Lanka in the Test series, England leads the points table 10 to 2. In spite of this, the Test and ODI scenarios for England are quite different. With Eoin Morgan skippering the side, a whole host of changes come in from the Test team.

England will enter the ODI series knowing that they have the Lankans right where they want them. Moreover, the hosts will be keen on inducting Test hero Jonny Bairstow into the side apart from welcoming the likes of Jos Buttler, Adil Rasheed, David Willey and a few others.

All eyes will certainly be on Jonny Bairstow as the latter aims to recreate the form he showed in the Test series. Joe Root will also be hoping for a turnaround following his Test series performance.

Also read – Chris Woakes aims to play alongside Ben Stokes in upcoming Pakistan series

Sri Lanka

In spite of the terrible loss in the Test series, Sri Lanka is on a high. Their 2-0 win over Ireland in the ODI series has seen them restore some of the confidence that was missing from the side during the Test series in England.

While Angelo Mathews’ young guns aim to eclipse England in the ODI series, a few names stand out on the team sheet for the first time in England. Dasun Shanaka impressed one and all with his performances in Malahide whereas Danushka Gunathilaka will also be making a rare appearance in the ODI side.

While these players look to make their mark in the ODI series, eyes will be on Upul Tharanga as the southpaw looks to redeem himself after falling off the pace in recent years.

Probable XI-

England:

Eoin Morgan (C), Jos Buttler (wk), Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, David Willey, Chris Jordan, Steven Finn

Sri Lanka:

Angelo Mathews (C), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Upul Tharanga/ Danuskha Gunathilaka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dasun Shanaka, Sekkuge Prasanna, Dhananjaya de Silva, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal

StAttack

1. Alex Hales needs 38 runs to complete 1000 runs in ODI cricket.

2. Chris Woakes is the only player in the England side with more than 50 wickets to his name in ODI cricket.

3. England has won just two of their last five ODIs. Moreover, they have lost their last three ODIs on the spin.

4. In five ODIs played at Trent Bridge, Sri Lanka has won just the one match. The only win at this venue came in August 1998 in the Emirates Triangular Tournament against South Africa. The Lankans claimed a 57-run win.

5. Upul Tharanga is the highest run-getter in the Lankan squad at the moment. However, he hasn’t had a score of over 50 since July 2013.

6. Farvez Maharoof is Sri Lanka’s highest wicket-taker in the current squad. He hasn’t played an ODI against a full-member nation of the ICC since March 2012.