Probable Sri Lanka Playing XI for third ODI against England

Having suffered two bitter defeats at the hands of England, Sri Lanka are now 2-0 down in the ongoing three-match ODI series. The visitors, who are going through their worst phase an international white-ball side, stare at a possible 3-0 whitewash as England look to rub salt into their wounds on Sunday (July 4) in […]
 
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Probable Sri Lanka Playing XI for third ODI against England

Having suffered two bitter defeats at the hands of England, Sri Lanka are now 2-0 down in the ongoing three-match ODI series. The visitors, who are going through their worst phase an international white-ball side, stare at a possible 3-0 whitewash as England look to rub salt into their wounds on Sunday (July 4) in Bristol.

To avoid a clean sweep, the Lankan Lions will have to put in an improved show in all departments of the game against the 2019 World Cup champions. An unexpected Sri Lankan victory when everyone is anticipating another easy England win would boost the tourists’ confidence and also earn them vital ICC Super League points.

But they’ll need to quickly fix their issues first, starting with their playing XI for the encounter. Would they trust their struggling top 6 and inexperienced bowling attack for one more time or make changes in the hope of a winning result?

Probable Sri Lanka Playing XI for third ODI against England

The visitors will need to produce an improved show in the third and final ODI

Probable Sri Lanka Playing XI

1. Pathum Nissanka

Despite his poor outings in the first two one-dayers, one would expect the management to retain Pathum Nissanka at the top of the order in the Sri Lanka Playing XI, having identified him as a replacement for Danushka Gunathilaka. The 23-year-old is still coming to grips with the ODI game in his young career and the team management should give him another go and see how he responds with the vote of confidence behind him.

Probable Sri Lanka Playing XI for third ODI against England

2. Kusal Perera (c)

Captain and opening batsman Kusal Perera couldn’t trouble the scorers last match but had played a fantastic knock of 73 in the first ODI under difficult circumstances. Perera needs to come to the party again for Sri Lanka if they are to have runs on the board and put England under some pressure.

Also Read: Probable England Playing XI for third ODI against Sri Lanka

3. Avishka Fernando

Sri Lanka’s top-order wilt away in the face of some quality bowling from Sam Curran last game and individually, the case of Avishka Fernando was no different as he managed just 2 runs on the board. However, the right-hand batsman is likely to be persisted with in the Sri Lanka Playing XI. Fernando has played 19 ODIs for Sri Lanka now with 655 runs at an average of 34.47 and strike-rate of 96.60.

4. Dhananjaya de Silva

De Silva played an outstanding knock of 91 batting at No.4 for Sri Lanka in the previous one-dayer at The Oval, with his innings going at run-a-ball and featuring 13 fours. Facing questions over his strike-rate, the talented right-hand batsman showed what he is capable of at his very best. He was Sri Lanka’s biggest positive from their eight-wicket defeat.

5. Charith Asalanka

Despite not making the best of starts to his international career with this series, middle-order batsman Charith Asalanka is likely to retain his spot in the Sri Lanka Playing XI, especially if Oshada Fernando remains an injury concern for the tourists. Asalanka averages above 40 at the List A level with 1,537 runs and Sri Lanka need as much solidity as possible in their batting unit.

6. Wanindu Hasaranga

With knocks of 54 and 26 from difficult situations, Hasaranga has shown in this series how capable he is of batting higher up in the order for Sri Lanka. The young all-rounder has been one shining light in an otherwise struggling Sri Lankan white-ball setup.

Probable Sri Lanka Playing XI for third ODI against England

Sri Lanka visitors need all-rounder Hasaranga to continue his good form

7. Dasun Shanaka

Shanaka made a useful 47 in the last match to take Sri Lanka’s score past the 240-mark. Not having a heavy workload with the ball, Shanaka will be looking for another opportunity to score runs lower down the order, provided he is retained in the Sri Lanka Playing XI. He has a career batting strike-rate of 102.17 in ODIs after 24 innings for Sri Lanka.

8. Chamika Karunaratne

Karunaratne will be quite pleased with his personal effort in the last match, scoring a useful 21 from No.8 and taking the wicket of a rampaging Jason Roy in his spell of 1/34. The 25-year-old bowling all-rounder is expected to retain his spot in the XI after an impressive outing.

9. Binura Fernando

Left-arm medium quick Binura Fernando was quite expensive in the last match at The Oval and went for 0/53 off his 9 overs. But, only three innings into his ODI career, the 25-year-old is likely to be retained in the line-up with the team management having identified him as one of their first-choice picks in the last two games. Fernando has a good List A record to his name, with 54 wickets from 38 matches and an economy rate of only 4.74.

10. Dushmantha Chameera

Chameera has been the stand-out Sri Lankan bowler on show. The tall young fast-bowler has been an improved customer in recent times, backing his natural speed with decent control and consistency. He is Sri Lanka’s top wicket-taker for the series with 3 wickets at an economy rate of 5.64.

11. Asitha Fernando

23-year-old right-arm quick Asitha Fernando is another youngster part of what is a highly inexperienced Sri Lankan side. Fernando bowled a spell of 0/54 after getting nod in the playing XI at The Oval. Very new to the international arena, Fernando looks set to be persisted for the third and final one-dayer.