England and Sri Lanka will lock horns in a clash which is scheduled to take place at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Thursday, October 26th, at 2:00 pm IST.
England’s journey in this World Cup has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. They started with a loss to New Zealand but then displayed their resilience with a win against Bangladesh.
However, subsequent defeats to Afghanistan and South Africa have raised questions about their form. The defending champions need to find their footing, and they have a formidable challenge in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, found their first victory against the Netherlands after a humbling defeat to Australia.
The Sri Lankan skipper must be pleased with the resurgence of his batsmen, especially opener Pathum Nissanka, who has scored three consecutive fifties. Additionally, their bowlers have found their rhythm, showing significant improvement after expensive initial outings.
However, it’s worth noting that the clash against England in Bengaluru presents a different challenge. The venue is a batting paradise, and bowlers on both sides will need to work tirelessly to maintain control.
For England to stay in the tournament, they must win all their remaining matches, including this one against Sri Lanka.
Fans can expect that key players like Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, and Joe Root must deliver consistently on a batting-friendly track with smaller boundaries at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The bowling department has been a concern, and they will rely on Adil Rashid, and Mark Wood to deliver crucial breakthroughs.
Sri Lanka’s World Cup journey has been a tale of ups and downs. After conceding 400+ runs in a high-scoring encounter, they managed to recover in subsequent matches.
However, a disappointing loss to Pakistan in Hyderabad still haunts them. Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samawickrama’s centuries showcased the team’s potential with the bat, but they couldn’t secure a victory.
The left-arm fast-medium bowler, Dilshan Madhushanka, has been a standout performer for Sri Lanka, and the inclusion of Kasun Rajitha in the last match added to their bowling strength.
Maheesha Theekshana will play a pivotal role as the spin bowler, and the team will hope for more from Dhananjay de Silva.
Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera, with their firepower at the top order, will be important for Sri Lanka. Kusal Mendis in the middle holds the key to building partnerships in case of early wickets.
The match promises a thrilling encounter in the World Cup, with both teams aiming to make their mark and progress in the tournament. Cricket fans can expect a thriller between the bat and the ball in the heart of Bengaluru.
ENG vs SL Predicted Playing XI
England: Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook/Liam Livingstone, Jos Buttler (c & wk), David Willey/Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes/Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews, Dushan Hemantha/Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka
