Sri Lanka
England
Sri Lanka will host England in the 1st T20I of the 3-match series at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on 30th January. This game comes after England’s 2-1 ODI series win. England will enter the T20I series with confidence after winning the final ODI to seal the series.
England will rely on players who performed well in the ODIs. Harry Brook will carry strong form after scoring 136* in the last match. Adil Rashid will remain key after finishing the ODI series with 7 wickets in 3 games. England hasn’t lost a T20I against Sri Lanka since May 2014. They have won 8 of the games played since then.
Pavan Rathnayake will be part of the T20I squad after scoring 121 runs in the third ODI. Both teams have won 2 of their last 5 T20Is. England will start as the stronger side based on recent head-to-head results.
England’s top order of Salt, Buttler and Brook will bat at high strike rates and have consistently found more boundaries against Sri Lanka, including in 4 of the last 5 head-to-head matches.
The betting tip is...
Most Fours - England
60 %
40 %
Sri LankaEnglandNissanka will lead the batting after scoring 625 runs in the last year from 18 games at a SR of 149.16, including one century and four half-centuries. Mishara will support him after scoring 336 runs in the last 10 T20Is at a SR of 131.25.
Kusal Mendis comes with 388 runs in his last 18 games at a SR of 123.56. He has just 94 runs vs England in 6 matches. Perera will feature in the middle order with 357 runs in the last 17 T20Is. Captain Shanaka comes with 220 runs and 8 wickets in his last 13 innings.
Dushmantha Chameera will lead the bowling attack after taking 22 wickets in the last year at an economy of 7.39. Wanindu Hasaranga will bring strong home numbers with 51 wickets in 30 T20Is in Sri Lanka and 17 wickets in his last 12 games. Maheesh Theekshana will look to improve his record after taking 11 wickets in his last 13 T20Is.
Nissanka, Shanaka and Mendis are the key batters.
Predicted Lineup: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga.
Phil Salt will enter the game after scoring 347 runs in his last 7 T20Is at a SR of 182.63. Buttler will remain the key batter after scoring 480 runs in his last 14 T20Is at a SR of 164.38. Against Sri Lanka, he has strong numbers with 349 runs in 6 games, including 1 century and 3 half-centuries.
Harry Brook will strengthen the middle order after scoring 305 runs in his last 12 T20Is at a strike rate of 166.66. Sam Curran will add depth with 94 runs in his last 4 innings at a SR of 167.85 and 3 wickets.
Adil Rashid will lead the bowling attack after taking 19 wickets in his last 13 innings. Liam Dawson and Brydon Carse will support him with 12 and 14 wickets respectively in their last 10 T20Is.
Salt, Buttler and Brook are the key batters.
Predicted Lineup: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Sam Curran, Tom Banton, Adil Rashid, Liam Dawson, Brydon Carse, Luke Wood, Jordan Cox.
England will start the match with a strong top order and will look to control the game early with the bat. Phil Salt and Jos Buttler will attack in the powerplay and will target gaps and boundary options from the first over. Both batters have been scoring at high strike rates and will not take time to settle.
Harry Brook will continue the momentum in the middle overs and will keep the pressure on Sri Lanka’s bowlers. England’s top three will rely more on timing and placement, which will suit the Pallekele surface.
Their recent head-to-head record also shows a clear trend of England batters finding the boundary more often. With form and match-ups in their favour, England’s batting approach will play a key role in shaping the result.
