ICC World Cup 2019 Match 27, England v Sri Lanka: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Five matches, four wins: England‘s report card in ICC World Cup 2019 looks fairly impressive. Their only defeat came against Pakistan, perennially the most unpredictable side in the world. There is little doubt that they will take field as favourites against Sri Lanka – who are still hovering mid-table – at Headingley.

England scored 334/9 even when they lost. Their scores in the other matches read 311/8 (against South Africa), 386/6 (Bangladesh), 213/2 in 33.1 overs (West Indies), and 397/6 (Afghanistan). Unless they devise a plan to prevent their endless supply of six-hitters from what they do best, Sri Lanka are up against some serious thrashing.

Eoin Morgan lit up Taunton the other day with a world record 17 sixes. But Morgan is far from the only one: Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, and Jason Roy (despite batting only thrice) have all crossed the 200-mark, while Jofra Archer has taken 12 wickets and Mark Wood 9. Sri Lanka’s vulnerable middle order are as much under threat as their bowlers.

Against Australia, the Sri Lankan middle order crumbled for the third time in the World Cup. While Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Perera have both done well, their teammates – Angelo Mathews in particular – have not.

Their bowlers have done well in bursts but seldom as a unit, but if England bat first and the conditions assist the seamers, who knows?

Head to head

The sides are evenly matched, with England holding a slender 36-35 lead. England had won the last bilateral series, in Sri Lanka last winter, 3-1. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, won in England 3-1 in 2016.

In fact, Sri Lanka have done reasonably well against England in England, winning 13 and losing 16. In World Cups England lead 6-4, but that includes wins in the first 5 clashes and just 1 more in the last 5.

Key players

Eoin Morgan (England): Morgan had taken 36 balls to reach fifty against Afghanistan; he played 35 more balls for the next 98. Those 17 sixes are an innings record for all international cricket. Jos Buttler is touted to be the chief destroyer of the side, even he will find it tough to match Morgan in this ominous mood.

Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka): With everything stacked against them, with the most feared batting line-up to bowl at, who else do Sri Lanka turn to but their old warhorse? As he demonstrated in the IPL, there are still a couple of tricks up his sleeve. Is this going to be his signature match in his farewell tournament?

Likely XIs

England: James Vince, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Perera (wk), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Milinda Siriwardana, Thisara Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Pradeep.

Prediction

England to win in a canter.