England v Sri Lanka – 3rd ODI - Match Preview
England and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 are gearing up to face off each other in the third One Day International of the five-match series, at the historic Lord’s cricket ground today, July 3, 2011.
The series is currently levelled at 1-1 as the hosts won the rain-interrupted opening game of the series by 110 runs (D/L method) and the wily islanders made a stunning comeback into the series with a 69-run win in the second ODI played at Leeds on Friday,
July 1.
Despite losing helplessly at Headingley, Alastair Cook-led http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 side continues to look impressive in all three departments of the game.
The useful alliance of Cook and Kieswetter at the top of the order gets strong backing from the presence of run machines like Eion http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Morgan-c77707 and Kevin Pietersen, who not only provide stability to the middle-order but also the big-hitting ability.
Coming to the bowling armory of the hosts, the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Timothy-Thomas-Bresnan-c94089 have also had their contribution in rolling Sri Lanka out for 121 in the rain-ruined first ODI at
the Oval.
The Tillakaratne Dilshan-led Sri Lanka side possesses experience as well as depth in its batting line-up. The islanders posses two of the World’s classiest batsmen in Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. The presence of Tillakaratne Dilshan and Angelo
Mathews also adds all-round strength to their squad.
The islanders have a strong bowling attack with Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KMDN-Kulasekara-c1802.
Spinners are the major weapons of visitors though, as Jeevan Mendis and Suraj Randiv bowled really well in tandem, at Headingley, sharing five wickets between them.
The weather forecast for Lord’s says that it would be a bright http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sundeep-Bhupendra-Patel-c91815 day there on Sunday. The Lord’s wicket is expected to support both batting and bowling, but will offer more the batsmen.
So far, both sides have faced off each other at Lord’s in four One Day Internationals, winning two matches each.
The way Sri Lankan batsmen outclassed the English attack must have left Alastair Cook and English selectors mulling over bowler selection. However, the English lineup includes only one spinner, Graeme Swann.
Whilst England would be eying a win at the historic Lord’s venue, Lankans must be looking forward to seal the upcoming three games, sprucing up their chances of getting past World Champions http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 ODI team rankings.
England (probable playing XI): 1 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/James-Clayton-Anderson-c65552, 11
Jade Dernbach.
Sri Lanka (probable playing XI): 1 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ranasinghe-Arachchige-Suranga-Lakmal-c83928, 10 Suraj Randiv,
11 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Separamadu-Lasith-Malinga-c89197.
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