After an emphatic victory in the opening ODI, Bangladesh can seal the series against Sri Lanka on Tuesday when the two sides meet in the second match in Dambulla. Sri Lanka were never in the match on Saturday and will need to improve remarkably if they are to win and force a decider.
Sri Lanka
Ill-discipline and quite simply not being good enough cost Sri Lanka the opening match and they will need a massive turnaround in a really short space of time if they are going to level up the series and force it into a decider. They sent down far too many wides when they bowled, fielded like drains and were erratic with the bat.
The disappointing thing for me was their lack of a plan with the bat in hand. I accept they were chasing a big total but until Dinesh Chandimal came to the wicket nobody had any value on their wicket and if they could have found someone else to bat around they might have threatened the run chase more than they did.
Bangladesh
If Sri Lanka were awful in the first ODI then Bangladesh were anything but that. They played with freedom, confidence and assurance with the bat and then once they had the squeeze on the home side in the field they never looked like relinquishing it. They now need to perform like that again to have a very strong chance of nailing the series at the first time of asking.
Consistency has dogged Bangladesh in the past so they need to guard against changing too much but they will be carrying plenty of confidence into this match with them. That doesn’t just come from the convincing win of the opening game but also the marked improvement they have made in this format over time.
Team News
Sri Lanka were hoping to have Niroshan Dickwella back for this match after his suspension ended but he has picked up an injury and has been ruled out of the series. Nuwan Kulasekara and Nuwan Pradeep have been added to the squad with Suranga Lakmal a doubt.
Bangladesh may well name an unchanged side although captain Mashrafe Mortaza has hinted he won’t be adverse to change if he needs to.
Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium
This second match is being played at the same ground as the first one although there is talk that there is more grass on this wicket which could suggest there may not be as much turn as in the opening ODI.
Betting
When the series began I didn’t have the nerve to back Bangladesh to win it because I was afraid of what Niroshan Dickwella could do to them with the bat but now that he has been ruled out of the series that fear has gone so I’m happy to continue siding with the visitors.
Dickwella isn’t the only player Sri Lanka are missing whereas Bangladesh are a confident and efficient side. Their margin of victory in the opening match wasn’t a fluke and while they might not win this one by as big a margin I do think they will win it.
Sri Lanka’s batting line up is all over the place at the minute with nobody really settled in any way so I’m going to take a chance that Milinda Siriwardana goes well in this match. Whenever I’ve seen him he has looked to have a good temperament which could be important here and he has plenty of quality too. Sri Lanka need an experienced player to step up to the mark and at 12/1 he could well lead the way for the home side with the bat.
Tips
Back Bangladesh to win 2nd ODI for a 4/10 stake at 2.20 with BetBright
Back them here:
Back M.Siriwardana Top Sri Lanka Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 13.00 with Boylesports
Back him here:
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