Sri Lanka and England will face-off in the Group 1 Super 10 encounter of the T20 World Cup 2014 at Chittagong on Thursday. Sri Lanka have been in superb form so far and a win over England today will seal their birth in the semi-finals. On the other hand England, who lost a rain-curtailed game against New Zealand, will be desperate for a win to stay in the competition.
Venue: Chittagong
Date: Thursday, March 27
Start time: 1:30 p.m. GMT
England were good with the bat in their opening encounter against New Zealand before rain had the final say and D/L helped the Black-Caps prevail. The performance of Moeen Ali and Michael Lumb was pleasing as their positive intent helped England make a good start while Ravi Bopara and Tim Bresnan scored quick runs in the end to boost the English total. The England bowlers only managed 5.2 overs in the game against New Zealand, but that was sufficient to constitute a match. They failed to keep the New Zealand batsmen in check and the Black-Caps raced past the D/L par score with Stuart Broad’s 16-run over making the difference in the end.
While one cannot read too much into this bowling effort, England’s lack-lustre showing with the ball in their warm-up games, barring the performance of James Tredwell, gives a feeling that the bowling department is slightly under-prepared for Bangladeshi conditions. If England are to prove this wrong, they will have to come up with a disciplined effort against Sri Lanka, who at the moment look to be one of the favourites to win the tournament.
Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan may not have contributed much in Sri Lanka’s recent games, but the form of the rest of the batters augers well for the team, who will be hoping to march confidently into the next round. The Lankan bowlers handled the pressure well against South Africa to help their side secure a close win. The Dutch then found them almost unplayable as the Netherlands side were skittled out for just 39, the lowest total in T20Is. Lasith Malinga form has been good while Nuwan Kulasekara and Mathews have also been doing well with the ball. Ajantha Mendis had an off game against South Africa but made up with that with a fine showing against Netherlands. This would have made the Lankan team management happy, while they would also be pleased with Sachitra Senanayake’s form. Chandimal will be hoping that the bowlers continue their good job and help Sri Lanka register their third win on the trot.
Squads
England: Stuart Broad (capt), Eoin Morgan (vice-captain), Moeen Ali, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Jos Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Craig Kieswetter, Michael Lumb, Stephen Parry, James Tredwell, Chris Woakes, Joe Root
Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chadimal (capt), Lasith Malinga (vice-capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardena, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Rangana Herath/Chaturanga De Silva, Sachithra Senanayake, Ajantha Mendis, Seekuge Prasanna
