After meekly surrendering to England in the T20Is, Sri Lanka now face an uphill task of facing them in the three-match ODI series, starting on 29 June. Worse, they will be without Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Danushka Gunathilaka (all of whom were guilty of breaching a biosecure bubble and are being sent home) and Avishka Fernando (quadriceps tear). Sri Lanka’s 24-member squad is now down to 20.
Expect Oshada Fernando to open with captain Kusal Perera, with Pathum Nissanka at one down. Dhananjaya Lakshan may make his debut. Known for his batting, Lakshan is adept with the ball as well, having bowled under the tutelage of Mohammad Amir for Galle Gladiators.
On the bowling front, things are not as terrible though. Dushmantha Chameera will be high in confidence after picking a four wickets in the last T20I. He will be joined by Isuru Udana and Nuwan Pradeep, with Wanindu Hasaranga as the lone spinner.
England, too, have injury concerns. Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer are unavailable, Jos Buttler has been ruled out after a calf injury, and Jason Roy pulled his hamstring and missed the last game.
If Roy is not fully fit, Dawid Malan, who was roped in as a replacement for Buttler, is likely to open with Jonny Bairstow, just like they did in the third T20I. Joe Root will make his 150th ODI appearance if he plays today.
Mark Wood and Chris Woakes are likely to lead the pace attack. It remains to be seen whether Eoin Morgan persists with Tom Curran or give George Garton his debut cap.
Head to Head
Both sides have won 36 games each. But in England, Sri Lanka have won 14 out of the 32 marches.
Probable XIs
England: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (c), Sam Billings (wk), Liam Livingston, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Adil Rashid
Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera (c & wk), Oshada Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera
Prediction
England should take an early lead in the series.