LIVE - England v Sri Lanka - 5th ODI - Toss Report
England have won the toss and elected to bat first in the 5th and final One Day International of the 5-match series, at Old Trafford, England, July 9, 2011
The series is well poised at 2-2 with the winner of today’s match will claim the title.
The http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SCJ-Broad-c2465. He will be replaced by off-spinner, Samit Patel.
The news was expected as it appears that the Old Trafford conditions will suit the slower bowlers. Moreover, the pitch will offer turn and it will be difficult to time the ball.
Also as the pitch is on the slower side, the inclusion of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Samit-Patel-c2426 will give England an extra option in the slow bowling department.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Huzefa-Mohammed-Patel-c63657.
As for the Sri Lankan side, as expected, seamer Dhammika Prasad will play in the absence of fellow pacer, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Balapuwaduge-Ajantha-Winslo-Mendis-c47194.
The decision might be because http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 already have three spinners in their rank so a pacer in the attack was necessary, given the fact that Angelo Matthews is still not 100 fit to continue bowling.
Earlier, the Sri Lankan captain, Tillakaratne Dilshan confirmed that fast bowler, Lakmal, will miss the fifth ODI due a side strain.
Sri Lankan batting were found wanting in the fourth one-day, so the inclusion of Karunaratne will give them added option in both departments. The left-handed batsman can also bowl medium-fast and will be an option to support http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KMDN-Kulasekara-c1802.
All eyes will be on Sri lankan captain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KC-Sangakkara-c1779.
His counterpart, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Alastair-Nathan-Cook-c42852, has been in supreme scoring form and will look to carry on and win his first series as captain of the England One-Day team.
The match is all set and the two sides have their strengths and weaknesses. The contest promises to be a thrilling finisher to an exciting series.
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