Pallekele (Sri Lanka), Feb 21: A battle for spin-bowling supremacy is on the cards as England look to draw inspiration from their recent series whitewash of Sri Lanka when the two sides clash in a Super Eight match of the T20 World Cup here on Saturday.
England had beaten Sri Lanka 3-0 in their T20I series here earlier this month and they would be happy to return to the island nation for the Super Eight match, having played all their group games in India.
The two-time champions are, however, yet to convince at this T20 World Cup, with three nervy victories against associate nations and a loss at the hands of former champions West Indies.
Co-hosts Sri Lanka began with wins over Ireland and Oman, and were at their best against Australia, whom they beat by eights wickets while chasing 182 here. The Lankans, however, lost their momentum, losing to giant-killers Zimbabwe in their last group match in Colombo on Thursday.
It will a fresh start for both the sides with Sri Lanka looking to cash in on the home advantage while England would be looking to pick up steam in the tournament at a place where they had done well less than a month back.
For Sri Lanka, Pathum Nissanka would be looking to continue his top form at the venue where he had hit 100 not out in the win against Australia. He is among the three centurions in this T20 World Cup and is at the second spot among highest run getters so far.
Kusal Mendis has also been in good touch with three half centuries in four matches and he would be one of the key Sri Lankan batters the England bowlers would want to target.
England batters, meanwhile, have been struggling so far with Jacob Bethell the best among them with 143 runs from four matches with one half century. The form of captain Harry Brook and senior player Jos Buttler will be crucial for England’s success.
In the bowling department, off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana has been the best Sri Lankan bowler with six wickets from four matches.
Sri Lanka were dealt a blow after pacer Matheesha Pathirana was ruled out of the rest of the tournament on the eve of Thursday’s defeat to Zimbabwe. Dilshan Madushanka, who replaced Pathirana in the squad, conceded just 20 runs from his three overs against Zimbabwe.
Seamer Dushmantha Chameera is set to return to the side after being rested for the final group game.
England would be looking up to the spin duo of Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson, as well on pacer Jofra Archer to get wickets.
Veteran Rashid, one of the best leg-spinners in the world currently, has taken six wickets from four matches — the same as Archer — and he could be the England trump card once again on Sunday.
Dawson has been reasonably economical till now while Rashid had one outstanding game against West Indies (2 for 16 in four overs) but was otherwise expensive, taking a combined 4 for 121 in 11 overs against Associate opposition.
Conditions should also favour England’s part-time options with the likes of Will Jacks and Bethell in the side. Both played vital roles with the ball in England’s 3-0 series win earlier this month on a slow, used surface here.
The match could also be disrupted as there is prediction of rain in the afternoon.
The Squads:
England: Harry Brook (c), Tom Banton, Jos Buttler, Ben Duckett, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood.
Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka (c), Charith Asalanka, Dushan Hemantha, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage.
Match starts at 3pm. (PTI)
