The rain has started to follow England and Sri Lanka around on their ODI series but courtesy of that huge win at Edgbaston last week England head to the capital on Wednesday knowing that they can sew up the series with a match to spare. Sri Lanka know they must win at The Oval in order to be able to win the series so there is all to play for.
England
It has been feast or famine for England’s opening batsmen in this series so far. At both Trent Bridge and Bristol the opening partnership failed but then at Edgbaston they broke all kinds of records. If Alex Hales and Jason Roy find consistency then England are going to have a very good future.
In this series the success England have had has been put together by the bowlers who are yet to concede 300 at any point despite playing on three fairly small playing areas. They play on another one here and if they can restrict Sri Lanka again then they will have a glorious chance to wrap up the series.
Sri Lanka
The task for the Sri Lankan batsmen is to put up larger totals. In all three matches they have been placed not too badly in the middle of their innings but they haven’t capitalised on that in the second half of their batting efforts and keep falling short. There is talent in there though and when they all come off they can still beat anyone.
If they manage to bat well then they can rely on their bowlers to create chances in the field. They will need to take them of course unlike at Edgbaston but in two of the three matches they have got off to good starts with the ball so they’re not as far away as the scorelines have suggested.
Team News
England left Moeen Ali out of their side for the last match and while The Oval can often take spin the amount of rain that has been around in London is likely to ensure he remains on the sidelines for this match as England are unchanged for the game.
Sri Lanka probably had their strongest current available line up out at Bristol and if the rain hadn’t arrived who knows if they would have defended an under par looking total. They might keep the same side in the hope that they can build on that.
The Oval
There have been 57 previously completed ODIs on this ground and England have a fairly decent record here. They have won 24 and lost just 17 at this venue while Sri Lanka have four wins and five defeats from nine matches.
The wicket is generally a good one for batting and on a lightning fast outfield and short boundaries straight and to the Bedser Stand there is every reason to think this should be another high scoring match like last year when New Zealand and England both put up over 350.
Betting
Unfortunately the rain looks like it is going to continue to follow these two sides around and there is the threat of showers throughout the day in this match which means betting on the match outcome and many of the side markets isn’t really possible but there is a chance of getting through an innings like we did on Sunday and as such I’ll take the same bet once again.
Liam Plunkett took three wickets on Sunday to go with the brace he took in each of the first two ODIs and yet his wickets line is still 1.5 and still at an attractive price so I’m happy to get on board again. We’ve seen nothing to suggest that the Sri Lanka batsmen can handle his pace or his bounce and as such on this wicket I’m expecting him to wreak havoc again. I expect him to take another couple of wickets here.
Tips
Back L.Plunkett Over 1.5 wickets for a 4/10 stake at 2.35 with Coral
Back him here:
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