Scotland vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

Sri Lanka will be preparing for their World Cup campaign by playing against Scotland in the two-match ODI series starting from Saturday. The team from the island nation are not having the greatest of times in the limited-overs format in the last couple of years and will be hoping to get some confidence with this series. Scotland, on the other hand, are not part of the mega event and will only gain by facing one of the top 10 teams in world cricket.

Rather, with all due respect to Sri Lanka, Scotland can actually cause an upset as the Dimuth Karunaratne-led side will be looking to get their combinations right ahead of the World Cup. Moreover, the Sri Lanka skipper will be playing his first ODI since the 2015 World Cup and will be under a little bit of pump to prove his mettle.

As far as the team combinations are concerned, with Niroshan Dickwella dropped, Karunaratne is likely to open the innings with Avishka Fernando or Lahiru Thirimanne. The likes of Jeffrey Vandersay, Milinda Siriwardana and Jeevan Mendis might have to wait for their chance. In Scotland’s case, they have recalled Dyland Budge to replace the injured Richie Berrington and might not make much changes to the XI played against Afghanistan.

Match Details

The first ODI of the two-match series between Scotland and Sri Lanka will be hosted by the Grange Cricket Club, Edinburgh

The match starts at 11:00 local time, 15:30 IST, 10:00 GMT.

Live streaming will be available on Cricket Scotland’s official Youtube channel – CricketScotlandTV

Weather Conditions

The forecast in Edinburgh is not so good for a game of cricket. Rain is expected to play spoilsport throughout the day. Until 4 PM local time, it will definitely rain and then it will remain cloudy according to AccuWeather. Even after 4 PM, there is a 40% chance of rain. The temperature will hover around 10-12 Degrees Celsius.

Last five completed ODI matches: (Most recent- first)

Scotland – L, W, L, L, W

Sri Lanka – L, L, L, L, L

Pitch Report

The 22 yards on offer at the Grange Cricket Club favours batting more often. But with the cloudy conditions on the day, the ball will definitely and if at all, the play is possible, the team winning the toss will opt to bowl first.

Average first innings score – 290 – Last five ODIs at the venue

Record of the chasing teams – Won – 2; Lost – 3

Probable Playing XI

Scotland

Matthew Cross (wk), Kyle Coetzer (c), Calum MacLeod, Michael Leask/Dylan Budge, George Munsey, Craig Wallace, Tom Sole, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt, Alasdair Evans, Bradley Wheal.

Bench: Michael Leask/Dylan Budge, Michael Jones, Gavin Main

Sri Lanka

Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera (wk), Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga, Jeffrey Vandersay, Suranga Lakmal.

Bench: Nuwan Pradeep, Milinda Siriwardana, Jeevan Mendis, Avishka Fernando.

Team News

Richie Berrington suffered a fractured figure and is set to be on the sidelines for at least four weeks.

Power Picks:

Isuru Udana in List A in 2019:

Matches: 12

Runs: 217

Batting Average: 36.17

Wickets: 17 wickets

Bowling Average: 25.94

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain Options: Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Kyle Coetzer, Calum MacLeod.

Vice Captain Options:  Thisara Perera, Matthew Cross, Suranga Lakmal.

Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Head to Head/ Small Leagues:

Wicket-Keeper – Kusal Perera

Batsmen – Kyle Coetzer, Calum MacLeod, Kusal Mendis (C)

All-Rounders – Michael Leask, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera

Bowlers – Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt, Lasith Malinga (VC), Suranga Lakmal.

Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Grand/ Mega Leagues:

Wicket-Keeper – Matthew Cross (VC)

Batsmen – Kyle Coetzer, Calum MacLeod, George Munsey, Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews

All-Rounders – Dhanajaya de Silva, Thisara Perera

Bowlers – Alasdair Evans, Mark Watt, Lasith Malinga (C).

Expert Advice:

Try to pick Sri Lanka’s top-order as they are expected to score more runs.

It will also be a good punt to pick Matthew Cross as wicketkeeper as he is in good form.

Can pick more bowlers in the team as well with the ball expected to swing in cloudy conditions.

Probable Winners:

Sri Lanka are expected to win the game but Scotland have the ability to cause an upset like they did in 2017 by defeating the same team in a practice match.

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