Match Details
Date: 05 November 2022
Time: 01:30 PM IST
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Ball-by-ball commentary: SportsTiger App
Preview
With a few results going the unexpected way, the qualification scenario in Group 1 of Super 12 is not yet clear. Although New Zealand and England are sitting in the top two spots of the points table, Australia have also earned five points from their four games. If Sri Lanka manage to pull off a heist against England, they will reach six points and the second spot on the points table pipping England and Australia. The Dasun Shanaka-led team can then qualify for the semifinals as well. So, it will be an interesting game with all results possible.
Pitch Report
The Sydney pitch is generally considered a batting-friendly surface. With a flat wicket and smaller dimensions, batters enjoy batting in Sydney. Meanwhile, bowlers have to be extra careful with their lengths.
Team Analysis
England were clinical in their match against New Zealand. Jos Buttler stood up to the challenge and scored a match-winning half-century. He got good support from Alex Hales who also notched up a fifty. Liam Livingstone also scored a brisk 20. With the ball, Sam Curran and Chris Woakes did the job scalping two wickets each. Buttler rotated his bowlers perfectly and cramped New Zealand for runs with his field placements. Resultantly, England won the match by 20 runs. However, Ben Stokes misfired once again. The southpaw has not got his act together to help his team. Now, England have Sri Lanka to face in their last group-stage game. They will have to beat Sri Lanka to progress to the semis.
SportsTiger Playing XI of England
Alex Hales, Jos Buttler (c & wk), Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Adil Rashid
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka put on a clinical performance against Afghanistan in their last group-stage game beating the Mohammad Nabi-led side by six wickets. Dhananjaya de Silva did the finishing job for Sri Lanka. The batter continued his good form and scored a well-paced half-century and controlled the chase. With the ball, it was Wanindu Hasaranga again. The leg-spinner literally gave nothing to the opposition batters as he only conceded 13 runs in his four overs and also bagged three wickets. Lahiru Kumara was also among the wickets for Sri Lanka. Now, the Dasun Shanaka-led Sri Lanka, who beat Pakistan in Asia Cup 2022 final, have an opportunity to upset England and qualify for the semifinals. But, for that, they will have to be at their best.
SportsTiger Playing XI of Sri Lanka
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha
Match Prediction
Conclusion
Although Sri Lanka have been good in T20Is in the past few months, they will find it tough against a strong side like England. The Jos Buttler-led team has the momentum and thus will be the favourites to win the contest on Saturday.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the author’s point of view. They neither reflect the opinion of SportsTiger nor advise anyone to make any prediction based on this. SportsTiger does not assume any responsibility and liability for the same.
