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ENG vs SL | 1st T20I, Preview: Searching for answers to many questions, Kusal Perera’s litmus test begins

Sri Lanka are going through probably their worst phase in limited-overs cricket in recent history. In their last 10 ODI series, they won just two and that too at home and against oppositions like Bangladesh and West Indies. On away tours to even those nations, they lost and lost badly. When it comes to T20Is, the condition is even worse as the team has been able to win just five out of the 22 games it has played in its last 10 series. 

It is not only the matters of losing but the manner of it. There has been too much chopping and changing of captaincy and the issue with not being offered sable contracts has also hampered the playing abilities of a lot of its players. 

The transition phase in which it lost greats like Kumara Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene hit Lankan cricket hard as the responsibility to guide the team lay on the likes of Angelo Mathews, Laistha Malinga and Dinesh Chandimal and more often than not, they were found lacking. 

Now, Kusal Perera, the wicket-keeper batsman and a destructive oper has been given the reins of the team and even after a disappointing 1-2 ODI series loss in Bangladesh, he has been trusted to deliver. Now, will he be able to do it is a question that shall be answered over the course of six games, starting with the first game of the T20I series on June 23. 

But the team that this Sri Lankan side would be up against is one of the firm favourites for the upcoming T20 World Cup. In their last 10 series, the team has lost only two, both against India at home and away. In those 10 series, they played 30 games and won 20 of them. 

However, Eoin Morgan’s men have problems of their own with allegations of racism and Test being given the second preference ahead of the limited-overs being levelled against the skipper, selectors and team. It is amidst all things un cricket that the English team would take the field and look to romp off authority to make cricket once again the talking point. 

England vs Sri Lanka: Match Details

Match Number- 1st T20I

Date and Time: June 23, 2021, 11:0 pm IST, 06:30 pm Local

Venue: Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

Broadcast and Live Stream: Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV

Pitch Report

A high scoring venue, Gardens has been home to England’s first limited-overs game of the summer for quite some time now. In fact, in the seven T20I games that the English sie has played here, they have won all of them. Amongst the wins, six have come chasing, suggesting that chasing has been the favoured decision of the skippers. 

Although England haven’t lost a game here, Sri Lanka can still take inspiration from Bangladesh’s shocking win over Australia in 2005, which headlined the venue. 

Weather and Toss

With only a 2-6% chance of rain from 6 pm to 10 pm in Cardiff, this match seems to be showerproof, a relief considering how fans across the world have been disappointed and irritated with rain and bad light disturbing the play of the World Test Championship going on in Southampton. Captains winning the toss would definitely go for bowl first approach. 

Team News

England

The hots have selected a strong T20I squad comprising of heavyweights like Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali and the Curran brothers alongside the skipper of course. It would be interesting to see the playing XI as players like Chris Woakes, Liam Dawson and David Willey have also been drawn into the squad. 

In all probabilities, the English team would go in with three pacers and two spinners option in which case Mark Wood, Chris Jordan and Chris Woakes could be the three pacers and Sam Curran could play as the second bowling all-rounder with Moeen Ali. 

Probable XI

Jason Roy, Jos Buttler(wk), Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Eoin Morgan(c), Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

Sri Lanka

As far as Sri Lanka is concerned, they would like to go in with proven talents in the shorter format like Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga as two spinning all-rounders and Lakshan Sandakan as a pepper chinaman options alongside three pace bowling options of Dushmantha Chameera, Isuru Udana and Dasun Shanaka. In batting, they might prefer Dhanushka Gunathilaka over Avishka Fernando at the top. 

Probable XI

Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Perera(c), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya De-Silva, Niroshan Dickwella(wk), Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Dushmantha Chameera, Lakshan Sandakan

Dream XI / Fantasy XI Team

Kusal Perera, Jason Roy, Jos Buttler(wk), Jonny Bairstow (c), Dawid Malan, Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya De-Silva, Sam Curran, Mark Wood, Isuru Udana, Lakshan Sandakan

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