Published: Jul 05, 2016, 02:50 AM (IST)
Edited: Jul 05, 2016, 07:53 AM (IST)
After back-to-back series defeats against England, Sri Lanka will want to give it their best and end their tour on a high note as both these teams clash in a one-off Twenty20 International (T20I) on Tuesday. Sri Lanka lost the One-Day International (ODI) series 3-0 and the preluding Test series 2-0. They will be hungry and eager to attain a win in the British Isles before they head back home. Anglo Mathews and his men will want to shackle off harrowing memories of this tour and take inspiration from the last T20I they played in England way back in 2014, in which the visitors came out on top. Vishal Mehra, lists down the probable XI for visitors one last time on their tour of England 2016. ALSO READ: FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: ENGLAND vs SRI LANKA, One-off T20I, SOUTHAMPTON
Top Order: Sri Lanka have a settled opening pair in Kusal Perera and Danushka Gunathilaka. In ODI series Gunathilaka showed sparks of brilliance, while Perera was short on not only runs but confidence as well. Given both are acclimatised to English conditions, team management would not tinkle with the order. Gunathilaka scored 142 runs in ODI series at an impressive strike-rate of 100 which is of premium in the shortest format of the game. Coming in at No.3 will be Kusal Mendis, another player who has impressed one and all. Mendis provided stability to the innings and kept the flow of runs continuously amidst a collapse for his team.
Middle Order: One of Sri Lanka’s most dependable batsman so far on his tour has been Dinesh Chandimal. The wicketkeeper-batsman has only grown his stature on the tour, amassing a total of 439 runs in 5 ODIs and 3 Tests. Chandimal will want to round off the tour with a win under his belt. Skipper Angelo Mathews has been another pillar of strength for his team on this disastrous tour. Mathews in ODI series was remarkable with the bat, collecting 253 runs to his name. Replacing Upul Tharanga will be Ramith Rambukwella, who has roped in after Tharanga was left out of the T20 side. Rambukwella is currently touring England with the Sri Lanka A side and is an all-rounder who can hit the ball hard and provide his team wickets with his off-spin. Dasun Shanaka who has been batting well could well get a chance to bat up the order after a good show in the 5th ODI.
Lower Order: Seekkuge Prasanna who has shown glimpses of his batting in the ODIs will get to keep his place in the side. Prasanna has been rather disappointing with the ball but has never the less has managed to keep the flow of runs under-check. Nuwan Pradeep was a star for the Sri Lankan’s in the Tests, but has faded away from his line and length in the shorter format. Suranga Lakmal has been the go to bowler for Mathews in the ODI series, where he stranglehold the batsmen for runs. Chaminda Bandara who got mauled for runs in the 5th ODI will make way for the more experienced Suraj Randiv. Sri Lanka will bank on Randiv to show his prowess with the ball and help them gain a solitary win against England on this tour.
Sri Lanka likely XI: Dinesh Chandimal(wk), Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews(c), Ramith Rambukwella, Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Perera, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Seekkuge Prasanna, Suraj Randiv.
(Vishal Mehra is a reporter at CricketCountry, who enjoys his weekly dose of anime, and plays cricket once a white moon. His twitter handle is @capturethecatch )
