Preview:
The Three Lions had it easy in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. Now, it’s time for the 50-over series, where the two teams will play three matches, starting from 29th June. England are ranked fourth in the ODI format and they will be desperate to move up in the rankings.
Sri Lanka played like an ordinary side in the recent T20I series, as they were white-washed by England 3-0. Sri Lanka have not able to maintain their brand of cricket in recent years, as they have slipped down to 9th in the ODI Rankings. They need to be more skilful and more emphasis should be to be given to their batting.
Match Details:
England vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI
Venue: Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street
Date & Time: June 29th, at 3:30 PM IST and 11:00 AM Local Time
Live Streaming: Sony Sports Network
Pitch Report:
It’s a high-scoring venue. Out of the last 5 matches played here, the teams batting first have posted 300-plus scores in 3 of those. Going with the team combination of both sides, whoever wins the toss should bat first.
Also Read: T20 Blast 2021: Misunderstanding of the DLS rule costs Sussex two points
Probable Playing XIs for ENG vs SL:
England
Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Joe Root, Dawid Malan, Eoin Morgan (c), Sam Billings / Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
Sri Lanka
Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Perera (c & wk), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Akila Dananjaya / Lakshan Sandakan, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando
Top Picks for ENG vs SL Dream11 Match:
Top Picks – Batsmen
Joe Root is Mr Dependable for England in the limited-overs format. He has cemented his No. 3 spot over the years. Root has accumulated 5962 runs in his ODI career at an average of 50.10, and has scalped 26 wickets as well.
Danushka Gunathilaka had a quiet T20 series with the bat. He is a reliable batter in the 50-over format and has scored 1520 runs in his ODI career at an average of 36.19, which includes 2 centuries and 10 half-centuries.
Top Picks – All-Rounders
Sam Curran is making his mark in all formats of the game. The 23-year-old Surrey cricketer has played only 8 ODI matches, but has already picked up 7 wickets and scored 132 runs with the bat.
Wanindu Hasaranga batted well in the last ODI series against Bangladesh, scoring 98 runs in 3 matches. He picked up 3 wickets as well.
Top Picks – Bowlers
Adil Rashid will be the key bowler for England, especially in the middle overs. He uses his variations quite well to get the desired results. He has 158 wickets to his name in the ODI format, with the best figures of 5 for 27.
Dushmantha Chameera was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka in the T20I series against England. The 6-ft tall right-arm seamer has picked up 30 wickets in his ODI career, with the best figures of 5 for 16.
Top Picks – Wicketkeepers
Jonny Bairstow might keep wickets in the absence of Jos Buttler. The 31-year-old Yorkshire batter is a nightmare for the bowlers, especially in this limited-overs format. He has scored 3426 runs in 86 ODI matches at an average of 48.25.
ENG vs SL Must Picks for Dream11 Fantasy Cricket:
| Player | Statistics (ODI Career Stats) |
| Joe Root | 5962 runs and 26 wickets |
| Jonny Bairstow | 3426 runs |
| Danushka Gunathilaka | 1520 runs and 8 wickets |
| Jason Roy | 3598 runs |
| Kusal Perera | 2989 runs |
Suggested Playing XI No.1 for ENG vs SL Dream11 Fantasy Cricket:
Jonny Bairstow, Danushka Gunathilaka, Joe Root (c), Jason Roy (vc), Kusal Mendis, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Wanindu Hasaranga, Adil Rashid, Isuru Udana, Dushmantha Chameera
Suggested Playing XI No.2 for ENG vs SL Dream11 Fantasy Cricket:
Kusal Perera, Jonny Bairstow (c), Eoin Morgan, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Danushka Gunathilaka (vc), Sam Curran, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Mark Wood
ENG vs SL Risky Captaincy Choices:
Kusal Mendis showed some sort of intent with the bat in the T20I series, but didn’t play a big knock. He has scored 2228 runs in his 77 ODI innings at an average of 30.1. You can take a risk and pick him as your fantasy team skipper.
Chris Woakes is a highly-rated bowler who is ranked 7th in the ODI bowler rankings. He is just one short of 150 wickets in his ODI career, and has mustered 1315 runs as well.
Player you should avoid:
Pathum Nissanka has played only 6 ODI matches and has scored 70 runs at an average of 11.66. He is inexperienced and it’s better not to include him in your fantasy teams.
