http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 v Sri Lanka – 1st ODI – Match Preview - A new beginning for England
England will take on Sri Lanka in the first of the five-match One Day International (ODI) series, at the Kennington Oval, London in England, on Tuesday, June 28, 2011.
The hosts had won the three-match Test series by 1-0, but lost the only Twenty20 played between the two sides.
There are some showers expected at the Kennington Oval in tomorrow’s game, which is not a good sign for both sides and the spectators. However, the teams will be hoping for the rain to stay away during the match.
It will be a new beginning for England, as they will be led by a new skipper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Alastair-Nathan-Cook-c42852. He hasn’t been a regular member of the limited-over cricket, but has proved his worth at the Test match arena.
Cook’s mental strength will be tested, as he will have to perform both as a player and a captain for England. The left-handed player will have very good support from his side, as there are some extremely talented cricketers in the home team’s squad.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/C-Kieswetter-c1206, has been recalled to the squad and will probably open the innings alongside his captain. He played a key role in England’s Twenty20 World Cup victory in 2010, but didn’t score runs with consistency and was dropped
from the team. However, he will have another opportunity to cement his spot in the national team.
The home team’s middle-order is very strong, as they have some quality players batting at number three to six.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ian-Jonathan-Leonard-Trott-c63890 has proved to be one of the most consistent batsmen for his side. He has cemented his spot in the team and has the ability to bat for longer periods, which is required from a number three.
England also have a quality player like http://www.senore.com/Cricket/IR-Bell-c1597, who can bat at any spot for his side. He has opened the innings for his team and also batted in the middle-order in different formats of the game. He also has the ability to bat until the end of the innings.
Apart from the solid players in the top-order, the Poms have some aggressive batsmen like http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Eoin-Joseph-Gerard-Morgan-c56032, who bat in the middle-order. Both can score runs very quickly and can change the course of the match in a very quick time against any
opposition.
England’s bowling is also very strong, as they have some quality swing bowlers like http://www.senore.com/Cricket/GP-Swann-c1501, provides good balance in the bowling department.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka will be looking forward to provide a good farewell to one of their best cricketers of all time, Sanath Jayasuria, who will be featuring in his final international game.
The veteran all-rounder was recalled to the side for the limited-over series in England, but announced his retirement from the game. He said, “The England tour will be my last tour for my country. I will play the first one-day and the Twenty20 match and
retire.”
The visitors have struggled with fitness of some players, but will be eying a strong show in the ODIs. They have the experience of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Denagamage-Proboth-Mahela-de-Silva-Jayawardene-c53546, who can win matches on their own.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Balapuwaduge-Ajantha-Winslo-Mendis-c47194 to lead the attack and win games for them.
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