England and Sri Lanka are all geared up for their limited overs campaign, starting with the three-match T20I series on Wednesday. Eoin-Morgan-Captain the Three Lions, are expected to be the ICC's No. 1 ranked T20I team and start as the favorites to play in home conditions.
The Sri Lankan players have come under pressure in the format over the years and hence they are ranked eighth in the rankings. Back in March, they went 10th-placed West Indies 1-2 in the three-match series. However, they could win hearts with their three T20I victories against the Brits in the latter's backyard four matches.
England had suffered a 2-3 loss in the five-match series against India earlier this year. Going into the upcoming series, Jonny Bairstow has been uncertain due to an ankle sprain which he sustained during the ongoing T20I Blast.
Match details
Match - England vs Sri Lanka - 1st Match
Location - Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Time - 10:30 PM IST, 05:00 PM GMT
Where to Watch Live - Sony Sports Network, Sony Liv
Pitch report
The pitch in Cardiff has been a game for batting, with the highest score being 182 by England against Australia in 2015. Also, Pakistan were once bowled out below 100 at the same spot.
In addition, four out of six games went in favor of the chasing team. The playing conditions will be cloudy with an almost 50 percent chance of rain during match time. The temperature will be around 18 degree Celsius.
Average Score: 156 (6 T20 Internationals in Cardiff)
Chasing Teams Record: Won – 4, Lost – 2, N/R – 0
England vs Sri Lanka Playing Combination
England
Estimated XI
Jason Roy, Jos Buttler (wk), Jonny Bairstow/Sam Billings, David Malan, Eoin Morgan (c), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Tom Curran/Mark Wood
Bench: Tom Curran/Mark Wood, Liam Dawson, Chris Woakes, Sam Billings/Jonny Bairstow, David Willey
Sri Lanka
Estimated XI
Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera (C&WK), Kusal Mendis, Oshada Fernando/Pathum Nisanka, Dasun Shanaka, Vanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Akila Dhananjaya, Dushmantha Chamira, Nuwan Pradeep
Bench: Ramesh Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Ishaan Jayaratne, Charit Aslanka, Chamika Karunaratne, Dhananjay Lakshmana, Asitha Fernando, Binura Fernando, Lakshan Sandakan, Praveen Jayavikrama, Oshada Fernando/Pathum Nisanka, Shiran Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella
ENG vs SL Head-to-Head
Overall
Played – 9 | England – 5 | Sri Lanka – 4 | N/R – 0
In England
Played – 4 | England – 1 | Sri Lanka – 3 | Draw – 0
Potential best batsman of the match
Jos Butler - England
Jos Buttler has been the cornerstone of England's batting lineup in the T20I format. With 1723 runs in 79 matches, the right-handed batsman has shown the damage he can do with the bat in hand.
He was also in impressive form in the five-match series against India. In five matches, Buttler scored 172 runs with a top score of 83 not out, helping his team win the match by eight wickets.
Potential best bowler of the match
Wanindu Hasaranga – Sri Lanka
Wanindu Hasaranga has been a revelation in Sri Lankan cricket, especially in T20Is. In 16 matches, the leg-spinner has taken 24 wickets. An economy rate of 6.76 means that apart from taking wickets, he also keeps an eye on run-scoring.
The 23-year-old Hasaranga is no muggle with bat in hand as he already has three half-centuries to his name for Sri Lanka in international cricket.