Sri Lanka vs England: 2nd ODI, July 1, 2021, Sri Lanka Tour of England Match Prediction

In this article, we review Sri Lanka versus England, the second ODI of a three-match series on the Sri Lanka tour of England to be played at the Oval on 1 July 2021. 

Match Predictions

Analysis

England last played a one-day international in the third ODI on the England tour of India at Pune on 28 March 2021. In that game, India batted first and were off to a great start with a 103-run partnership between Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan for the first wicket. But once Rohit Sharma was out in the 15th over, there was a mini collapse, and the Indian score was reduced to 257 for 4 in 24.2 overs. Then came a 99-run stand between Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya which left India in a relatively comfortable position of 256 for 5 in 35.6 overs. 

But once Rishabh Pant was 5th out, Hardik Pandya followed him back to the pavilion soon after when the Indians found themselves at 276 for 6 in the 39th over. But the Indian lower order batsmen led by Krunal Pandya and Shardul Thakur rallied to add useful runs, helping India to reach 329 all out in 48.2 overs.

England began the reply badly and were soon 20 842 with both the openers back in the pavilion. With no big partnership developing, England lost wickets regularly and were 257 for eight in the 40th over. But thanks to a 60-run ninth wicket stand between Sam Curran and Mark Wood, the England score read 317 for 9 with five balls remaining. But India managed to restrict England to 322 for 9 in a thrilling finish.

Curran top scored for England with 95 from 83 balls while Dawid Malan who got 50 off 50 balls was the only other batsmen to score a half century.  For India, Shardul Thakur was the most successful bowler with 4 for 67 while Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 3 for 42.

Before this series, Sri Lanka were last involved in ODI action in the third ODI of a three-match series on the Sri Lanka tour of Bangladesh in Dhaka on 28 May 2021. That game Sri Lanka batted first and began well with 82 run opening stand. On the back of substantial partnerships for the third and fourth wicket Sri Lanka found themselves at 216 for four after 39.2 overs. They added 70 more runs to finish at 286 for 6. Skipper Kusal Perera top scored with 120 from 122 balls while Dhananjaya de Silva was unbeaten with 55. For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed was the most successful bowler taking 4/46.

Bangladesh began their reply badly, losing three wickets for just 28 runs. But although Mushfiqur Rahim, Mosaddek Hossain, and Mahmudullah led a fightback, Bangladesh never recovered after Hussain was 6th out with the score reading 158 in the 38th over.  They were finally bowled out for 189 in the 43rd over, rendering Sri Lanka the winners by 97 runs.

The Sri Lanka side that toured Bangladesh was a relatively inexperienced one. However, the selectors have brought back some senior players to the side for the England tour. Unfortunately for Sri Lanka, though, Angelo Mathews, reportedly on paternity leave, is not available.

Likely XIs

Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera, A Fernando, Gunathilaka, Mendis, Shanaka, Hasaranga, D Silva, Udana, Pradeep, Chameera, Dananjaya

Head-to-Head

Match Prediction

Sri Lanka vs England Betting

Summary