Scotland vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI: Match Prediction – Weather Report, Pitch Conditions, Playing XIs and Live Streaming Details

Can Scotland pull off an upset?

Published - 17 May 2019, 17:03 IST | Updated - 17 May 2019, 17:03 IST

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Sri Lanka will lock horns with Scotland in the first of the two-match ODI series on Saturday. For the visitors, this should be a part of World Cup preparation in terms of getting acclimatised to the conditions. They are in desperate need of some confidence after being hammered in the 50-over format in the last couple of years. Scotland, on the other hand, agonisingly lost to Afghanistan by 2 runs via DLS method last week.

Dimuth Karunaratne, the Sri Lanka skipper, will be looking to get used to the captaincy role in this series and also get some ODI batting under his belt having played the last international game in 2015. In terms of leading the team, his confidence must be sky high as Sri Lanka defeated South Africa in the two-match Test series 2-0 earlier this year. However, his team members should also step up and get into the groove ahead of the mega event.

For Scotland, it is nothing but another opportunity to improve. They defeated Sri Lanka last time the two teams faced in 2017 albeit in a practice match ahead of the Champions Trophy. The likes of Kyle Coetzer, Calum MacLeod and Matthew Cross are in good form and will play a key role if Scotland are to put up a fight.

Pitch Report

The average score at the Grange Cricket Club in Edinburgh in the last five ODIs in 290 and the trend might continue for this game as well. Though the cloudy conditions will lead to the new ball moving quite a bit early on in the innings. The team winning the toss is expected to bowl first.

Weather Conditions

Rain is in the forecast in Edinburgh on Saturday. There might be a delayed start to the match and a washout is also on the cards with 40% chances of rain in the evening. The temperature will hover around 10-12 Degrees Celsius.

Team Combinations

Scotland

Scotland have been dealt with an injury blow to Richie Berrington who suffered a fracture to his finger and is ruled out of the action for the next four weeks. Dylan Budge has been recalled to the squad. But Michael Leask, being an experienced player, is expected to come into the playing XI. The rest of the side might be the same which lost to Afghanistan last week due to rain interruption.

Probable XI: 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.

Sri Lanka

Dimuth Karunaratne will open the innings alongside either Lahiru Thirimanne or Avishka Fernando. The former might get the nod with the kind of experience he possesses. Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis will be crucial for Sri Lanka’s cause in the middle-order while the veteran Angelo Mathews finally returns after a long layoff. Isuru Udana and Jeffrey Vandersay are also likely to play.

Probable XI: 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.