Sri Lanka vs England 3rd ODI: Preview and Predicted Playing XI

After the first ODI ended in a washout, England stunned the hosts in the second fixture by 31 runs D/L method and took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Sri Lanka will now look to bounce back when they face the visitors in the third ODI at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele on Wednesday, October 17.

The Asian Islanders have hosted British in 21 completed bilateral fixtures and have won 14 of those with the British settled on seven wins. While they have faced just twice at the Pallekele with scoreline tied on 1-1.

England

The British went into this series on the back of beating India 2-1 in a three-match series in July and continued this series from where they left off against Men in Blue.

They are currently on verge of winning nine consecutive series on the trot are their current form makes them favourites to reach that mark.

Batting

Joe Root’s fine ODI form continued in the second ODI, as he hit 71 from 83 balls. He had hit 90* in the warm-up game and 25* in the first ODI before the rain came.

While the English Skipper Eoin Morgan top-scored last time out with 92 runs from 91 balls and seems to be in decent form having scored 91 in the warm-up game as well. Both these are once again expected to be the major threat for Islanders.

England will also on the likes of Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow, who failed to impress in previous outing, but will be eager to rectify their mistakes and lay down a platform for others to follow.

Bowling

Chris Woakes claimed 3-26 from his five overs in the rain-affected encounter and has been their go-to men in recent times.

While Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali with 18 and 10 wickets in their last ten outings will bear the spin responsibility and are not easy to counter due to their variations.

Expected Playing XI

Eoin Morgan (C), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Olly Stone, Mark Wood, Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root.

Sri Lanka

Hosts have now lost their last three completed one-day internationals in a row

Hosts have now lost their last three completed one-day internationals in a row and eight out of the thirteen ODI's they have played since the start of this year.

Batting

The absence of Angelo Mathews has made matters worse for them. Thisara Perera was the only batsman to show some intent with his unbeaten 44 from 41 balls against the quality pace attack.

While Kusal Perera and Dhananjaya de Silva were other batsmen to get some starts. But all the top order batsmen including Skipper Dinesh Chandimal failed to make an impact and they will be looking to make up for that.

Bowling

Lasith Malinga claimed 5-44 in the second ODI, ripping through the England batting line-up and veteran is expected to counter the English batsmen in third ODI as well.

While Nuwan Pradeep, De Silva and Akila Dhananjaya took one wicket apiece and will be backed by Skipper to get some early breakthroughs.

Expected Playing XI

Dinesh Chandimal (C), Thisara Perera, Nuwan Pradeep, Akila Dananjaya, Lasith Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Niroshan Dickwella, Upul Tharanga, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Perera, Dasun Shanaka.