England vs Sri Lanka Match Prediction – Who will win today’s 1st T20I match between ENG vs SL?

Preview  

England and Sri Lanka are all set for their limited-overs campaign, which starts with the three-match T20I series on Wednesday. The Eoin-Morgan-captained Three Lions, being ICC’s no.1 ranked T20I team and playing in home conditions, are expected to start as the favourites.

The Lankans have strained in the format in the last few years and hence, are placed way down at eighth in the rankings. Back in March, they went to 10th ranked West Indies 1-2 in the three-match series. However, they can draw heart from their three T20I wins against the Brits in four games in the latter’s backyard.

England, earlier this year, lost the five-match series versus India 2-3. Going into the upcoming series, Jonny Bairstow has become uncertain due to an ankle sprain which he sustained during the ongoing T20 Blast.

Match Details

Match – England vs Sri Lanka – 1st match

Venue – Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

Time – 10:30 PM IST, 05:00 PM GMT

Where to watch live – Sony Sports Network, Sony LIV

Pitch report

The pitch in Cardiff has been a sporting one for batting, the highest score being 182 by England against Australia in 2015. Also, Pakistan once got out below 100 at the very venue.

Moreover, four of the six games went in favour of the chasing team. The playing conditions will be cloudy with around 50 percent chances of rain during match-time. The temperature would be around 18 degrees Celsius.

Avg score: 156 (6 T20Is in Cardiff)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 4, Lost – 2, N/R – 0

Playing combination for ENG vs SL

England

Predicted XI

Jason Roy, Jos Buttler (wk), Jonny Bairstow/Sam Billings, Dawid Malan, Eoin Morgan (C), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Tom Curran/Mark Wood

Bench: Tom Curran/Mark Wood, Liam Dawson, Chris Woakes, Sam Billings/Jonny Bairstow, David Willey

Sri Lanka

Predicted XI

Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera (C and WK), Kusal Mendis, Oshada Fernando/Pathum Nissanka, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Akila Dananjaya, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep

Bench: Ramesh Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Ishan Jayaratne, Charith Asalanka, Chamika Karunaratne, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Asitha Fernando, Binura Fernando, Lakshan Sandakan, Praveen Jayawickrama, Oshada Fernando/Pathum Nissanka, Shiran Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella

ENG vs SL Head-to-Head

Overall

Played – 9 | England – 5 | Sri Lanka – 4 | N/R – 0

In England

Played – 4 | England – 1 | Sri Lanka – 3 | Draw – 0

Probable best batsman of the match

Jos Buttler– England

Jos Buttler has been a fulcrum of the England batting lineup in the T20I format. With 1723 runs from 79 matches, the right-hander has shown the damage he can do with the bat in hand.

He was in impressive form in the five-match series against India as well. In five games, Buttler scored 172 runs with a top score of an unbeaten 83, helping his team win the match by eight wickets.

Probable best bowler of the match

Wanindu Hasaranga– Sri Lanka

Wanindu Hasaranga has been a revelation in Sri Lankan cricket, especially in T20Is. In 16 matches, the leg-spinner has picked up 24 wickets. The economy rate of 6.76 means that apart from picking wickets, he keeps a check on the run-scoring as well.

The 23-year-old Hasaranga is no mug with the bat in hand either as he already has three half-centuries to his name for Sri Lanka in international cricket.

Today’s match prediction: England to win the match.

Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.