Big picture: Sri Lanka face up to bogey opponent
Sri Lanka’s last white-ball tour of England came in 2021, and if the two thumping defeats in their warm-up fixtures to England Lions are anything to go by it seems they would do well to steer clear of a similar whitewash. Another fairly obvious omen is Sri Lanka’s recent T20I record, which has seen 10 losses across their 15 completed matches this year.
Against England, meanwhile, they have lost each of their past 12 T20Is with their last victory coming at The Oval back in May 2014 – one of three victories away to England in seven attempts.
Then we get to England’s current form, which has seen them as recently as this past July drub the reigning world champions, India, 4-0. So yeah, it’s hard not to fear the worst for the visitors.
The weather, expected to be wet, could be a buffer of sorts, while the pitches towards the end of the English summer are potentially now drier and – Sri Lanka hope – might aid spin. Indeed, the Lankans have stacked their squad with four spin-bowling options, and will be banking heavily on the likes of Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga – both of whom sat out the warm up games – to stymie an English batting unit that seems to be permanently stuck in top gear.
The question however will be if they’re able to perform at the level needed consistently enough to challenge a finely-tuned English white-ball machine.
Form guide
England WWWWW (most recent first)
Sri Lanka LWLLL
In the spotlight: Adil Rashid and Dushmantha Chameera
However, Chameera’s immediate form heading into the opening T20I is worrying. Returning from a groin strain, he has looked understandably rusty during the recent warm-up games. In Chelmsford, he was taken apart for 34 runs in just 1.2 overs, followed by another tough outing at Beckenham where he conceded 23 runs in 1.2 overs without taking a wicket. If Chameera can shake off his recent match rust and find rhythm early on, his extra bounce and pace can genuinely trouble England’s top order. But if he struggles with his radar, a flat Southampton surface could prove punishing.
Team news: Debut for Donald, SL eye ambidextrous Tharindu
England: 1 Aneurin Donald, 2 Jos Buttler (capt & wk), 3 Harry Brook, 4 Tom Banton, 5 Jordan Cox, 6 Will Jacks, 7 Jamie Overton, 8 Liam Dawson, 9 Josh Tongue, 10 Sonny Baker, 11 Adil Rashid
Sri Lanka: (probable) 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kamil Mishara (wk), 3 Kamindu Mendis, 4 Charith Asalanka (capt), 5 Janith Liyanage, 6 Dasun Shanaka 7 Tharindu Ratnayake 8 Wanindu Hasaranga 9 Maheesh Theekshana 10 Dushmantha Chameera 11 Eshan Malinga
Pitch and conditions: Another runfest in order?
Stats and trivia
Quotes
“I want us to be challenging for World Cups. I think we have won 21 out of 24 T20s, so we re going all right, sitting No. 2 in the world. If we succeed here, we have a chance to go back to No. 1.”
Brendon McCullum wants not let up from his wife
“When we come to England,┬аalways it’s challenging for us. We could see some┬аmore bounce and more movement here, so that’s the biggest challenge for us to adjust quickly. I think┬аwe were lucky enough to play practice games before this series because it’s been very helpful.”
Charith Asalanka says his side will have to adapt quickly
