5 Reasons why England can win the ODI series vs Sri Lanka

Srikant
Sri Lanka knocked out in the group stages of the 2018 Asia Cup
Sri Lanka knocked out in the group stages of the 2018 Asia Cup

England and Sri Lanka square off in a five-match ODI series beginning on Wednesday, the 10th of October, 2018 with the tourists being the firm favourites for the tie despite the Asian side's formidable record at home over the years.

Sri Lanka are a side in disarray at the moment with their debacle at the 2018 Asia Cup, where they were knocked out at the group stages itself following defeats to Afghanistan and Bangladesh, followed by the ouster of skipper Angelo Mathews citing fitness issues when it was more a case of him being made a scapegoat more than anything else.

England, on the other hand, heads into the contest on the back of a hugely successful outing at home against India, across all formats and have been a force to reckon with in ODIs over the past few years with their bold selections and approach to the 50-over format.

Here are 5 reasons why England can continue their winning run and defeat Sri Lanka on their own turf in the 5-match ODI series:


#5 Sri Lanka's lack of depth

It is clear that Sri Lanka are struggling to find the players needed to lift their side back to their glory days, both from a talent perspective as well as leadership.

They are still struggling to replace the likes of Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara and look pale with the ball with Lasith Malinga no longer the force he once was.

A number of players have been tried out but very few give the impression that they are made out for the long run while the constant chopping and changing are also not helping things.

Consistency in performances has been lacking with the selectors often forced to bring back players whose ODI future were once written off. None of the senior players has stood up and shown the leadership required to their side out of the troubled waters they find themselves in.

Sri Lanka does not have a single player amongst the Top-15 ranked ICC batsmen or bowlers while the only member in the Top 10 of the all-rounders' list - Angelo Mathews - is not a part of the ODI squad against England.

#4 England's well-rounded ODI squad

England possess plenty of firepower with the bat
England possess plenty of firepower with the bat

England have enjoyed a wonderful run in ODI cricket as evident with their ICC Wolrd No 1 ranking and the key to their performances have been the presence of players tailor-made for the 50-over format.

More importantly, they know their roles in the side and they have been given the freedom to express themselves - something which has dramatically changed England's fortunes in ODI cricket post the 2015 World Cup.

The presence of explosive players like Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy - who won the Man of the Series when the two sides met last in 2016 - is enough to strike fear in the opposition ranks even before a single ball is bowled.

With a number of utility players like Moeen Ali, the Curran brothers, Liam Plunkett and Chris Woakes, England have bowlers who can certainly bat when called upon and in Adil Rashid, they have a spinner who can exploit the dry pitches in Sri Lanka.

#3 Angelo Mathews' absence

Mathews was asked to step down as skipper before being dropped the squad altogether
Mathews was asked to step down as skipper before being dropped the squad altogether

One of the biggest fallouts from Sri Lanka's Asia Cup exit was the ouster of skipper Angelo Mathews not just as skipper but from the squad altogether, citing fitness concerns.

The 31-year-old's well-documented error of judgment in running between the wickets came to fore yet again during the Asia Cup, but the manner of his ouster, after being initially asked to step down as skipper and then being sidelined entirely, doesn't bode well for a team which is struggling to maintain their status as a force in the modern era.

Mathews has been one of Sri Lanka's most consistent performers over the years, and though he rarely bowls now owing to his injury troubles, his vast experience and batting credentials are enough to warrant a place in the side which is struggling to find someone who can lead them from the front.

What is clear is that a rift has occurred between Mathews and Sri Lankan head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe - the man who urged the all-rounder to take on the burden of captaincy, something he had relinquished in 2017, in the first place - and the sooner they resolve their differences, better it will be for the future of Sri Lankan cricket.

#2 Sri Lanka's abysmal ODI form

Sri Lanka suffered huge defeats against Bangladesh and Afghanistan at the 2018 Asia Cup
Sri Lanka suffered huge defeats against Bangladesh and Afghanistan at the 2018 Asia Cup

Sri Lanka's record off late in ODI cricket has been woeful, to say the least. In 2018, they have played 12 ODIs and lost seven of them, which included defeats to Zimbabwe, Bangladesh(twice) and Afghanistan.

Two of their victories came against South Africa at home in dead rubbers after they had tasted defeat in the opening three matches of the five-match series.

In fact, Sri Lanka's previous bilateral series win in ODIs at home dates back to 2015/16 when they whitewashed West Indies 3-0. Since then, they have lost to Australia (4-1), Zimbabwe (3-2), and India (5-0) prior to the series loss against the Proteas earlier this year.

They might have defeated England 5-2 the last time the two sides met in Sri Lanka, but times have certainly changed and so has the fortunes of these two sides.

#1 England's ODI dominance

England has been a dominant force in ODI cricket under the captaincy of Eoin Morgan
England has been a dominant force in ODI cricket under the captaincy of Eoin Morgan

Gone are the days when England were considered as pushovers in the 50-over format as the aggressive approach taken by the team management following their 2015 World Cup debacle has paid dividends under the leadership of Eoin Morgan.

England are the top-ranked team in ODI cricket at the moment and have enjoyed plenty of success across the globe and are one of the favourites for the 2019 World Cup which will be played on their home turf.

Barring the shock loss against Scotland in the one-off ODI against Scotland in June this year, England has enjoyed series' wins over India, Australia (home and away), New Zealand, West Indies, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in a little over two years' time.

With Sri Lanka's recent struggles, it is hard to imagine the hosts putting up a fight against a team which is pretty much on a rampage.

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Edited by Debjyoti Samanta