Sri Lanka vs England, 4th ODI Preview: Submerged Lankans desperate to stay afloat in the series

Going by team strengths, this should be a one-sided contest but there's always scope for a comeback with the Lankans considering their history.

Published - 19 Oct 2018, 21:13 IST | Updated - 19 Oct 2018, 21:13 IST

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This has been one of the most disappointing home series ever for Sri Lanka, having failed to throw a fight even once to this strong English line-up. The Three Lions won the two completed games pretty comfortably and now are aiming to take a 3-0 lead in the series.

There’s just no confidence in the Lankan setup currently and it has been the case in the last couple of years. The players are finding it difficult to maintain composure and although there’s a lot of talent, a lot of players seem to be playing with self-doubt and are not sure if they really belong to this level, which is pretty much palpable by the way they play.

The English on the other side has been improving with every game they play and are clearly eyeing the big prize next year, the World Cup. Going by team strengths, this should be a one-sided contest but there’s always scope for a comeback with the Lankans considering their history.

Playing combinations

Sri Lanka

Niroshan Dickwella and Sadeera Samarawickrama will open the innings with Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva constituting the middle order. Dasun Shanaka and Thisara Perera come in the lower middle order to finish things in style. Lasith Malinga will be accompanied by Nuwan Pradeep and two spinners in Akila Dananjaya and Amil Aponso in the bowling department.

Probable XI: Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Upul Tharanga/Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal (C), Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Thisara Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Amil Aponso, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Pradeep.

England

The iconic duo of Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow will open the innings with two stalwarts in Joe Root and Eoin Morgan following up. Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes provide a solid look to the batting line-up. Tom Curran and Olly Stone will be assisting Woakes in the fast bowling department, with Stokes is the other option. Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid will be the spin options for Morgan.

Probable XI: Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (C), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Tom Curran, Olly Stone.

Focus will be on

Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)

Arguably one of the finest prospects in limited-overs history, Malinga has already shown that he still has some good cricket left in him. But unfortunately for him, he has not been complemented his fellow bowlers and batters, which is letting the team down. Regardless of what the other players are doing, one can always expect top-notch commitment from the fast bowler.

Eoin Morgan (England):

The skipper has been in fine form on this tour. It is a tough job leading such a high energy bunch and it takes a lot out of Morgan but it also means he has to be an ace himself. For him to have the command of the team it is extremely important that he inspires them with his own performance as well. He holds the bigger responsibility of giving shape and direction to the innings and he will want to come out on top in the fourth ODI.