Match Details
England will host Sri Lanka in the first T20I of the three-match series. The encounter will take place at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Wednesday (June 23)
The match will commence at 11:00 PM IST, and fans can switch to SonyLIV to catch the live streaming of the game.
Preview
The top-ranked T20I team, England have been on a roll in white-ball cricket since the last few years and will definitely take the field as favourites. Despite missing big names like Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer, England have managed to name a pretty formidable squad and there aren’t many shortcomings in the team’s overall strength.
On the contrary, the Sri Lankan cricket team have been struggling lately and not many are backing them to beat the Three Lions. The squad is full of fresh faces, and multiple players might even receive their maiden caps during the series. However, the likes of skipper Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya De Silva and Wanindu Hasaranga have done well in international cricket and would be raring to shine against England.
Predicted Playing XIs for ENG vs SL
England
Jason Roy, Jos Buttler (WK), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan (C), Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
Sri Lanka
Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera (C & WK), Avishka Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Dushmantha Chameera, Akila Dhananjaya and Asitha Fernando
Captaincy Picks for ENG vs SL
Jonny Bairstow
Bairstow has been a vital cog of England’s white-ball team, and his records speak volumes of his prowess. The dasher can attack bowlers from the outset, and his wide range of shots can give Lankan bowlers a tough time. Moreover, Bairstow was in sensational form in the T20I Blast 2021 and would like to replicate his heroics in the national colours as well. While he is nursing a minor injury, Eoin Morgan has said that he expects Bairstow to be fit for this game.
Sam Curran
The last few months have been nothing but phenomenal for Sam Curran as he put up one match-winning performance after another. Curran can swing the new ball, and his variations in the death overs can contain the run-flow. If that’s not enough, the southpaw can also hurt oppositions with his big-hitting lower down the order. Hence, Sri Lanka must be aware of this star all-rounder.
Fan2Play Fantasy Cricket Tips
2-Player Team
Jonny Bairstow (C), Dhananjaya de Silva
3-Player Team
Sam Curran (C), Moeen Ali, Dasun Shanaka
4-Player Team
Jos Buttler (C), Wanindu Hasaranga, Jason Roy, Danushka Gunathalika
11-Player Team
Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow (C), Danushka Gunathalika, Jason Roy, Dawid Malan, Isuru Udana, Wanindu Hasaranga , Moeen Ali, Sam Curran (VC), Akila Dhananjaya, Chris Woakes
