The tourists once again struggled with the bat in the first game of the three-match series and Eoin Morgan’s men – 1/12 to win the second match – are primed to take full advantage as the two teams now head to the Kia Oval.
With the weather forecast set fair for Thursday, a result is expected and the home side are strong favourites to clinch the ODI series.
Sri Lanka Batting Confusion
Sri Lanka’s batting performance at Durham left a lot to be desired, with only two batsmen making any significant impact on the scoreboard.
The tourists were reduced to 64-3 before a 99-run partnership between the skipper, Kusal Perera (73), and Wanindu Hasaranga (54). At that stage, a score of 300 looked possible but another batting collapse followed.
Following Hasaranga’s dismissal, six wickets fell for just 40 runs as Sri Lanka were all out for just 185, seven overs short of their allotted 50.
Woakesy's 150th ODI wicket
Rooty's 150th ODI appearance
Victory in our ODI series opener
pic.twitter.com/0iGFf4tS9I
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 30, 2021
Although England made heavy weather of their run chase, losing five wickets en-route to a five-wicket win, the outcome was never really in doubt and it seems only complacency can thwart their hopes of another 3-0 success – which can be backed at 1/7.
One noticeable issue during the Sri Lanka innings was the shocking running between the wickets, which lead to two scalps and should have seen more but for fielding mistakes.
There seemed to be utter confusion between the Sri Lanka batsmen and 19/10 on England to earn the most run outs looks a good option.
Bairstow Leading the Way for England
One man who has a point to prove this summer is Jonny Bairstow, having recently lost his place in the Test squad.
Woeful batting displays in the recent red-ball series with New Zealand has seen many calling on experienced players returning to the squad and Bairstow fits that category.
The Yorkshireman was outstanding for his county in the early stages of the summer and is now impressing on the limited-overs international stage.
Coming into the ODI series, the wicketkeeper-batsman struck an impressive 51 in the final T20 clash and followed that up with a quickfire 43 off just 21 balls at the Riverside.
Bairstow has scored a combined total of 544 runs in his last nine ODI innings and will be out to send another message to the selectors on Thursday. England are 10/31 to have the highest Opening Partnership in the match.
Curran Can Prosper on Home Soil
Chris Woakes was the star with the ball at Durham, taking 4-18 in his 10 overs, but The Oval has not been a happy hunting ground for the all-rounder in recent times.
Woakes has failed to take any wickets on his last two ODI appearances – against South Africa and Pakistan – at the ground and it may be worth looking elsewhere when eyeing bowling bets.
Sam Curran was expensive at Durham, ending with figures of 0-45 in his 7.3 overs. The Surrey man though is back on his home ground and that could see him make a big impact.
*All odds correct at time of writing