Sri Lanka vs England 3rd ODI Preview | Series decider in Colombo

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The series has reached a critical juncture after Sri Lanka and England swapped wins in the first two matches. And it all comes down to the final match of the series at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo in terms of both the overall outcome and the momentum that will either make or break a team's season.

‌The final ODI of the three-match series in Colombo will be a must-win for both teams, not just in terms of the outcome, but the overall vibe of the season. Up until now, both teams have been playing with a sense of caution, and that has reflected in their performances. For Sri Lanka, this match represents an opportunity to put some much-needed steel into their home form, which has been decent of late. For England, it's a chance to prove that they can win the big games when it's all about grinding out a score that requires control and patience.

Form Guide

Sri Lanka's recent form has got people scratching their heads. The away series against Pakistan ended in disaster for the team, with them losing control of the match all too often from the first few overs. But a victory over England in the first game at least showed that when they get to bat first, they can impose their own agenda. However, that victory was soon followed by another defeat batting first, and all those doubts about their fragile performances came back into the frame.

England, on the other hand, had a pretty dismal tour of New Zealand, where they were on the receiving end of a few heavy losses, and it seemed like nothing was going right for them. And, sadly, that same script was followed in Colombo in the 1st ODI. But, at least the win in the 2nd ODI was a step in the right direction - showing a lot more composure, especially in the back half of the innings.

Sri Lanka: L L L W L

England: L L L L W

Sri Lanka vs England Head-to-Head in ODIs

The head-to-head between these two teams is pretty even. Of late, though, their games have been a lot more evenly matched. Matches rarely get decided in the powerplay and are usually settled in the middle overs and towards the end of the innings.

Sri Lanka 38-39 England

Pitch and Weather

The R. Premadasa Stadium surface is known to be slow. It's a lot easier to play on at the beginning of the innings, but as the match wears on, the ball starts to skid on a bit more, and the spinners start to get a bit more from the strip. A moderate score can be defended on this pitch - all things being equal.

The forecast for the match is a hot and humid 30 degrees, with a bit of breeze, and no sign of any rain. Under those conditions, the team that wins the toss is probably going to opt to bat first - just to avoid a tricky chase in the later stages of the innings.

Team News

Both teams are likely to retain their lineups after the second ODI. Sri Lanka will continue to rely on a balance between batting and spin options. England, judging by their last match, will bet on the depth of their lineup and a more careful game without sudden changes in pace.

Sri Lanka (Probable XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando

England (Probable XI): Rehan Ahmed, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid

Broadcasting Platforms

Live streaming of the SL vs ENG third ODI will be available on the SonyLiv app and website from 2:30 PM IST in India, with broadcast of the same on the Sony Sports Network.

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