SriLanka vs England ODI series Analytical and Statistical Preview

SriLanka vs England ODI series: Sri Lanka and England will face off in a 7 match ODI series starting from 26th November in Colombo to continue their World Cup preparations and decide on their final squads for the world cup which will be held in Australia and New Zealand next year, continents away from the one where this series is going to be played. Both teams have an opportunity to gain on some vital ranking points. 4th placed Sri Lanka currently hold a 1 point lead over England, and can further increase its lead while also reducing the gap with 3rd placed South Africa. A 7-0 series win for Sri Lanka will put it ahead of South Africa by a fraction of a point and open up a 12-point gap over England, while a 6-1 win would see it remain in fourth place on 111 points, and hold a nine-point lead over England. Whereas, if England win the series seven-nil, it would rise 2 places to 3rd on 113 rankings points, 4 adrift of joint leaders Australia and India. A 6-1 win would see England jump over Sri Lanka into fourth place on 111 ratings points, one rating point behind 3rd ranked South Africa.

SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka had experimented with their team in the five-match series against India, but Mathews said he now sought to build momentum with the players who would comprise the side at the World Cup. They have tried Kusal Perera, Upul Tharanga, Dimuth Karunaratne and Mahela in the past as opening partners to Tilkaratne Dilshan but in vain. In none of the matches against India in the recently concluded 5 match ODI series did the Sri Lankan opening partnership go beyond the 50 runs mark. So, they would be hoping to get an apt pair for the opening slot by the end of this series. The only positive from Sri Lanka going into this home series is the form of their skipper, Angelo Matthews, both with the ball as well as the bat. Their bowling also remains a worry with Eranga leaking too many runs in the couple of matches he played against India and Ajantha Mendis not showing any signs of impact on a pitch where the Indian spinners showed lots of promise. The selectors have recalled left-arm spinner Rangana Herath to the squad who was rested for the Indian tour and Left-handed batsman Thilina Kandamby, who has not played an ODI since 2011. Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera, who last played in an ODI for Sri Lanka in 2008, was also named in the 15-man squad. A regular face in the team, Nuwan Kulasekra was left out owing to a string of poor performances. Dhammika Prasad who troubled the Indian batsmen a little more than the other bowlers in the 1st couple of ODI has also been name in the squad.

Sri Lanka ODI squad to face England: Angelo Mathews (captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Kumar Sangakkara (wicketkeeper), Mahela Jayawardena, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeevan Mendis, Thilina Kandamby, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Ajantha Mendis, Shaminda Eranga, Dhammika Prasad, Thisara Perera, Lahiru Gamage.

ENGLAND

Moeen Ali looks all set to open the batting alongside skipper, Cook, and made a boundary-laden half-century in the first warm-up match against Sri Lanka A. With specialist opener Cook unlikely to move down the order, England have 7 ODIs against Sri Lanka and a tri-series against India and Australia in Australia in January to find the right man to bat with him. Ian Bell would take up the much important No. 3 slot with Joe Root coming in at No. 4. England’s lead fast bowler, James Anderson was ruled out of the series earlier this month as he had still not recovered from a knee injury. Stuart Broad had surgery in September on a patella tendon of his right knee and therefore he will too miss this series, giving the younger legs a chance to prove their mettle for a World Cup 2015 spot. (also watch Moeen Ali hit 6 fours in a row)

England ODI squad to face Sri Lanka: Alastair Cook (Captain), Moeen Ali, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Jos Buttler (Wicket Keeper), Steven Finn, Harry Gurney, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Eoin Morgan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Taylor, James Tredwell, Chris Woakes.

The series is not so much about winning as it is about mending their flaws and plugging as many holes as possible.

England vs Sri Lanka Statistics at a glance:

Results Summary

England VS Sri Lanka (in Sri Lanka)

Most runs in England VS Sri Lanka ODIs

Most wickets in England VS Sri Lanka ODIs

*All stats updated till 25th Nov 2014