If the scoreline had read 3-0 to Sri Lanka after Hambantota, the series would have started to lose its edge. Instead, at 2-1, and with a trio of England’s young guns central to the victory, there is much to play for as the teams return to the capital for a day game.
However, England will be without their captain Alastair Cook after his suspension for a second slow over-rate offence. Cook’s critics, of which there are many, will see it as a chance to pile further pressure on him if the rejigged top-order – Alex Hales is likely to open with Moeen Ali in what could be a dynamic pairing – has a successful outing. England’s selectors are not swayed by one-off performances, but that does not mean there is not the potential for some awkward conversations depending on the outcome of this match.
Also, the man taking the captaincy, Eoin Morgan, is in need of runs himself having not scored an ODI half-century since the tour of Australia in January.
Sri Lanka will welcome back Mahela Jayawardene after his one-match absence, but their main problem in Hambantota was the fielding which gifted England at least two extra boundaries. The groundwork of the Sri Lankans stood out in the first two games – led by the ageless Tillakaratne Dilshan – after Angelo Mathews’ pre-series call for a focus on that department, and his head-shaking during England’s chase showed his displeasure at the mistakes.
Form guide
(last five matches, most recent first)
Sri Lanka LWWLL
England WLLWL
In the spotlight
If England do not recall James Taylor in Cook’s absence, it will border on cruel and unusual punishment. They have to find out about him before naming their World Cup squad – unless, of course, they already have done and he’s purely making up the numbers. Two ODI caps for a man with a List A average of 53.16, allied to England’s one-day struggles, is a dereliction.
Dhammika Prasad is a feisty bowler, but in this series he has also been an expensive one. His four wickets, including Jos Buttler twice, are balanced against an economy rate of 7.73 and his no-ball in Hambantota, which reprieved Joe Root at a crucial moment, will not have gone down well with Mathews.
Teams news
Jayawardene should be a straight swap for Thilina Kandamby and there could be a reassessment of the attack. Ajantha Mendis was taken apart in Hambantota and it will be interesting to see if they throw in the relatively unknown chinaman bowler Lakshan Sandakan
Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 2 Kusal Perera, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Angelo Mathews (capt), 6 Lahiru Thirimanne, 7 Jeevan Mendis, 8 Thisara Perera, 9 Dhammika Prasad, 10 Rangana Herath, 11 Ajantha Mendis
If England don’t pick Taylor now, they never will. Where he bats is up for debate, but the simplest option would be to slot him in at No. 3 and allow him the chance to build an innings. Back on a ground which helps the spinners more, James Tredwell will come into the mix with the struggling Ben Stokes most vulnerable.
England (probable): 1 Moeen Ali, 2 Alex Hales, 3 James Taylor, 4 Joe Root, 5 Ravi Bopara, 6 Eoin Morgan (capt), 7 Jos Buttler (wk), 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Chris Jordan, 10 James Tredwell, 11 Steven Finn
Pitch and conditions
The pitch at the Premadasa changed considerably from the first to the second matches at the start of this series. A new surface for this encounter is likely to have more resemblance to the opening contest which was a high-scorer although Mathews indicated it looked quite dry. As ever, it is also a case of keeping fingers crossed that the rain stays away, although the series has been remarkably fortunate so far.
Stats and trivia
England’s win in Hambantota was their first in a live ODI since beating Sri Lanka at Old Trafford
The 84-run stand between Buttler and Root which secured victory had the highest run-rate of any partnership worth more than 22 for that wicket in a successful England chase.
Rangana Herath’s economy rate after three matches is 5.79. He has only once conceded a higher figure when he has played more than a single game in a series.
Quotes
“I’m a gambler – and I’d say I’m due. I’ve got to stay true to myself. I have to play an aggressive type of game. It’s the way I play, the way I have done since I was a kid – and it works for me.”
Eoin Morgan will stick to what has worked for him in the past
“We have a problem in the death overs, and the bowler who does the best at the death was Ajantha Mendis. In the last match he was unsuccessful, but in the first two matches he took five wickets. Having someone like Mendis at the death and the batting Powerplay, alongside Rangana, is a strength.”
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews
