England will look to claim the ODI series against Sri Lanka on Saturday when the two sides meet in the fourth match of the five in Kandy. Sri Lanka know that they can only share the series from here on in and must win this match to have any chance of doing that.
While the series status is there for all to see, there is also a World Cup to prepare for so it is unlikely that we are going to see any liberties taken by either side in the match. Both will just be hoping to get a full match in given the rain that has been around so far.
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Sri Lanka
We have now seen both sides of Sri Lanka’s batting in this series. In the second match their lower order looked very solid and appeared to be getting them back into the match before the rain arrived and in the third game their openers rocketed out of the gate only for that middle order to stumble. If they can put it all together there is a decent score in them. That does appear to be a big if though.
Things have not been so good with the ball however. A Lasith Malinga spell in the second match aside, Sri Lanka have looked incredibly light in the bowling department and if they are going to get back into the series then they simply have to formulate a better plan. Starting their bowling innings with some spin would be a good start.
England
Eoin Morgan’s men have won the first two matches of the series that have yielded a result but there is little doubt in my mind that they have been nowhere near top gear at any point. You get the feeling they will break out with a complete performance if conditions allow it although to be fair the standard they have delivered so far is more than good enough against this opposition.
There is room for improvement though and it largely comes with the bat at the very top of the order. We know what Jason Roy and whoever partners him can do but we’ve not seen it yet on this tour. If we see it over the remaining two matches it is hard to see where England slip up at any point. As has been the case so far, their biggest danger could be the rain.
Team News
Upul Tharanga is expected to return having sat out the 21 over match in the third game of the series. Sadeera Samarawickrama played well in that match though so Tharanga might have to return at number three rather than as an opener.
England have a doubt over Jonny Bairstow who apparently injured himself in a game of football on the eve of the match. If he is not passed fit then Alex Hales is the obvious replacement for him unless England want to try out Joe Denly. Liam Plunkett has arrived after his wedding but it not slated to start.
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Betting
As ever with these matches the threat of rain is hampering a genuine attack on this one from a betting point of view and now that we are getting to the stage where the competitive element is disappearing from the series bets will be few and far between from here on in.
I will have a small bet on Eoin Morgan to score 50 in the match. He has passed that figure in all three completed innings he has played on this tour and looks at ease with everything right now. We know he’s a wonderful player of spin and he looks to be in great touch against the seamers thus far too. Morgan’s runs generally come in bursts so the 2/1 on him making 50 more here looks big enough to warrant a bet.
Tips
VOID – Back E.Morgan to score 50 for a 3/10 stake at 3.00 with William Hill
Back him here:
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