ENG v SL: T20 WC PREVIEW

In recent years, washouts, NZ punching above their weight and upsets have become hallmarks of almost every ICC event. This year was no different. NZ dominated the defending champions with 89 runs in the opening match. And with 7 points in the kitty, plus a massive NRR in excess of 2 they have comfortably qualified for semi finals

Unlike Group B, Group A was wide open due to these events, and any two teams from NZ, ENG, AUS could have qualified for the semis. The equation for England is very simple. Win the last game against SL and book your place in the final 4. Australia failed to win by a big margin against Afghanistan. They kept losing wkts frequently and a death bowling masterclass by Farooqui and Naveen ul Haq ensured that Australia barely managed to post 170 on the scorecard. They had to win by atleast 50-60 runs to get ahead of ENG's NRR and pray Eng win by not more than 1 run.

SL had an outside chance last evening the way Rashid Khan was going against Australian bowlers. Had Aus lost yesterday, a SL win against Eng would have taken them to the semis.

Probable XIs

England

Jos Buttler (c, wk), Alex Hales, David Malan, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes/ Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Mark wood

Sri Lanka

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara

Venue

Sydney Cricket Ground

Total matches 17

Matches won batting first 11

Matches won bowling first 5

Average 1st Inns scores 168

Average 2nd Inns scores 131

Highest total recorded 221/5 by AUS vs ENG

Lowest total recorded 101/10 by BAN vs RSA

Highest score chased 200/3 by IND vs AUS

HEAD to HEAD

Both teams have faced each other 13 times in t20is and 5 times in t20 wcs

Overall: England leads by 9-4 ( 4-1 In WCs)

Batting 1st: ENG leads by 4-3

Batting 2nd: ENG leads by 5 -1

Last 5 matches: ENG leads by 5-0

Most runs:Jos Buttler (357)

Most wkts: Chris Jordan (17)

Recent Form

(Last five matches)

England: W NR L W NR

SriLanka: W L L W W

Pitch Report:

The Sydney cricket ground so far has been the best batting surface out of all the venues. It tends to slow down in the 2nd innings especially during a double header. Openers have enjoyed their time at SCG more than anywhere else.

Match Ups

Malan v Hasaranga: 39 off 19, 0 outs

Buttler v Hasaranga: 38 off 41, 0 outs

Buttler v Theekshana: 6 off 13, 0 outs

Buttler v Kumara: 33 off 15, 0 outs

Mendis v Wood: 12 off 13, 1 out

Shanaka v Woakes: 7 off 13, 0 out

Rajapaksa v Woakes: 10 off 5, 1 out

Shanaka v Curran: 17 off 15, 1 out

Hasaranga v Rashid: 10 off 13, 2 outs

Form Update
(Last 5 innings)

Key Players & Fantasy Picks

Jos Buttler

He has been an incredible last 12 months for Jos Buttler who scored a 100 in last t20 wc against SL, some 850 odd runs in the IPL with 4 100s and won the man of the match against Aus at Perth a couple of weeks back. Jos also keeps wkts which could further fetch you decent points in fantasy XI. He failed to make a mark in 1st 2 games but came back strong with a 70 odd against NZ and was awarded MoM.

Wanindu Hasaranga and Theekshana

In the bowling department their success will mainly lie on Hasaranga and Theekshana. Theekshana in PP can cause early damage to ENG’s line up and with many left handers ENG should be vary of him. Hasaranga created a record by picking most wkts in the middle overs by a spinner in a season while playing for RCB and is one of the best bowlers in t20s currently. His trajectory and bowling height makes it difficult for the batters to read him. He is currently the highest wkt taker of this wc just like last year. Theekshana bowls crucial overs in the Powerplay and in the death. He outfoxed Fin Allen with an amazing carrom ball in the game against SL. . Was one of the main reasons for CSK's turn around in the 2nd half. The Hasaranga - theekshana combo are one of the most bankable picks that could help you win big in Fantasy XI

Bhanuka Rajapaksa

Bhanuka Rajapaksa has proved out to be SL's MVP and played a lions share in helping them win Asia cup. He scored 191 runs at a SR of 145 and chipped in with crucial cameos in almost every game. Another dark horse.

Mark Wood

Almost every time he has played since returning from injury, whether it was in the Pakistan series, Australia series, or World Cup, he has breathed fire. Since September, he has picked 15 wkts in 7 games and is clocking 150+ every now and then. He is the perfect candidate to take down SL’s line-up

Sam Curran

He has picked 15 wkts in last 6 games. Bowls at the death and is more than capable to use the long handle in the end overs. A near to perfect candidate in any fantasy XI

( Risky Pick )

Alex Hales made a promising start on his comeback in Pakistan with a 50 but has been on and off with his performance since then. He made a quickfire 52 in last game and can take down any bowling attack on his day.

Fantasy XI