England eye clean sweep, Sri Lanka target crucial CWCSL points

Overview

England vs Sri Lanka, third ODI
Bristol County Ground, Bristol
July 4, 11:00 am local

Having already attained an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, Eoin Morgan has hinted that England might experiment with some changes in the playing XI. This might mean another opportunity for Liam Livingstone to stake his claim in an already stacked batting department. Left-arm pacer George Garton could also be in line for his ODI debut in Bristol.

Sri Lanka have struggled throughout the tour in their batting department. But the performances of Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga and Dasun Shanaka will have given them some hope.

Skipper Kusal Perera will expect a better performance from his top-order batters to complement the performances of the middle-order, as the visitors aim to build some momentum heading into the T20 World Cup. Registering some points on the board is also of paramount importance, as the Lankans currently languish at the bottom of the ICC CWC Super League table.

Remember the last time

Sri Lanka had to endure a shaky start in the second ODI at the Oval, losing four wickets in quick succession. Dhananjaya de Silva (91), Wanindu Hasaranga (26) and Dasun Shanaka (47) then embarked on a rebuilding job, as Sri Lanka posted a respectable total of 241/9 on the board.

But on a flat batting wicket, the score did not prove to be much of a challenge for the hosts, as Jason Roy (60), Joe Root (68*) and Eoin Morgan (75*) sealed an eight-wicket victory for England, with 7 overs remaining. Sam Curran was adjudged the Player of the Match for clinching his maiden five-wicket haul in ODI cricket.

What they said

Eoin Morgan (England captain):"Not thinking about your batting as a captain seems to be working for me. We will see more changes in the final ODI with an eye on the Pakistani series as well. Always looking to grow and get better."

Kusal Perera (Sri Lanka captain): "Very hard for the lower order to get many once the top order fails that way. Dhananjaya played very well. We want to finish on a winning note."