Prediction: Sri Lanka vs. England 3rd ODI lineups and pitch report for Rawalpindi — Who do you think will win? originally appeared on Cricket News . Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Sri Lanka and England meet in Rawalpindi on Thursday with no points between them. Both lost to Pakistan, who now have one foot in next Saturday's final, so one of these sides must take a first positive step. Sri Lanka collapsed from 210 for 4 chasing 306 and lost by 37 runs. England were 120 for 1 needing 183 and still fell short by 87.
It is barely a month since they last met, when Harry Brook's England won the ODI series 2-1. Both teams opted to bowl first against Pakistan because of the dew, and the surface showed some variable bounce late in the evening. The match starts at 1 p.m. local time, which is 1:30 PM IST.
England were 120 for 1 chasing 306 on Tuesday and only lost because Arafat Minhas produced a spell of 6 for 40, so the batting is in good order. Brook admitted they played the left-arm spinner too carefully, and a bolder approach against Sri Lanka's spinners should fix that.
England beat these opponents by 89 and 223 runs in September. Sri Lanka's selection is hard to predict, and they lost their last five completed matches in a pattern of collapses, including the slide from 210 for 4 on Tuesday. Rawalpindi has been a true batting surface, and any total near 300 makes the chase tough.
The Cricket News Prediction: England to win.
Here's how we think both sides will line up in this game.
Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis (c, wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige / Dunith Wellalage, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Sachindu Colombage, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka
Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (c), Jordan Cox (wk), Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue
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