With just a handful of games to go until the 2015 Cricket World Cup every game plays an important part in a team’s preparations. Game five in the England v Sri Lanka series is no different as both sides welcome the opportunity to test combinations and settle on orders before the prestigious tournament. Both sides welcome back players, with England throwing down the red carpet for their captain, Alastair Cook, and Sri Lanka fortunate to have Sachithra Senanayake available for selection after a recent illegal bowling action ban.
If the rain stays away this could be an intriguing contest, on both an individual and team basis.
The Last Time These Two Met
In Colombo Sri Lanka took a 3-1 series lead when they successfully chased down England’s 265. However, the Pallekele venue should suit the England side much better and of the grounds England play at before the World Cup is likely to be the venue that resembles the New Zealand conditions most closely.
The Teams
Sri Lanka (likely): 1 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 2 Kusal Perera, 3 Kumar Sangakkara, 4 Mahela Jayawardene 5 Angelo Mathews (capt.), 6 Lahiru Thirimanne, 7 Jeevan Mendis, 8 Thisara Perera, 9 Sachithra Senanayake, 10 Dhammika Prasad, 11 Ajantha Mendis.
England (likely): 1 Alastair Cook, 2 Moeen Ali, 3 James Taylor, 4 Joe Root, 5 Eoin Morgan, 6 Jos Buttler, 7 Ravi Bopara, 8 Chris Woakes, 9 James Tredwell, 10 Chris Jordan, 11 Steven Finn
The Key Players
Sachithra Senanayake – The controversial spinner has endured a miserable few months as he sought to remedy his law breaking action. Without a second skill to fall back on, the offie has been limited to just 10 overs in a domestic List A match, no doubt going stir crazy in the process. He gets an immediate opportunity to showcase his remodelled action and make an impact on the series thanks to Rangana Herath’s hamstring injury. Sport loves a comeback story so Senanayake taking wickets might be worth a bob or tow.
James Taylor – Some of the games best batsmen have been little. Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting are all short men who dominated opposition because bowlers found it so difficult to find the right length to bowl at them. James Taylor is the same; his height allows him to pull deliveries that are usually decent length deliveries to other batsmen and when bowlers try and correct the fuller efforts often become half volleys. Taylor helped himself to eight boundaries in game four and will be looking to make another statement here.
The Odds*
Sri Lanka – $1.54
England – $2.48
*Odds courtesy of Sportsbet Australia.
The Prediction
Despite Pallekele offering more favourable conditions for the tourists I can’t see them winning this one. Sri Lanka by 2 wickets or 30 runs. As an outside roughie, take Alastair Cook to top score at $5.50.
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
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Betway:
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Coral:
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Bet365:
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