World Cup 2019: England aims to thrash Sri Lanka in Headingley
A battle of two teams performing at different levels; one sitting atop the points tables, other still holding their hopes up to make it to the semi-finals. England has been setting unbeatable targets for their opponents and if they win the match against Sri Lanka on Friday (June 21) at Headingley, Leeds, they would more or less secure a position in the semi-finals.
Flipside to this, if Sri Lanka loses, it is surely to be out of the running for clinching the World Cup, even after three games still left to play. Sri Lanka is sixth in the table with four points off which rain helped them with two points. With the weather looking clear at Leeds, Sri Lanka can only pray to the rain gods to spill some showers or fight it out against England on their own.
Also read: Aussies top points table with empathic win over Bangladesh
Dimuth Karunaratne’s team is an example of imbalanced XI as the players batting in the middle overs have not been using the spinners to their advantage. However, the venue has always supported the Lankans. In 2014, they won the Test series there but the magic will continue is not guaranteed.
England is certainly not eyeing this match but looking at the future to defeat Australia, India and New Zealand in the last stages of the group matches. Perhaps, Sri Lanka can use the over-confidence of the English side and turn the tables.
England:Â Jason Roy is still out due to his injury, though he did join the team in the practice sessions. Skipper Eoin Morgan does not want any rotation until they make it to the semis which means Tom Curran has to wait to make his debut this season.
Probable XI: James Vince, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid.
Sri Lanka:Â Lahiru Thirimanne seems to be having a troublesome tournament so far, Avishka Fernando might make his World Cup debut.
Probable XI: Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Milinda Siriwardana, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Pradeep.
