England have lost three of their four matches [AP]
Defending champions England's 2023 World Cup 2023 campaign is hanging in the balance as they prepare to lock horns with Sri Lanka in Match 25 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday, October 26.
With both teams stumbling in their initial matches, this bout has all the makings of a do-or-die contest, and the outcome may well determine their World Cup fates.
ENG vs SL: Team Preview
England
England, under the leadership of Jos Buttler, has faced severe setbacks. Positioned second-last on the 10-team points table, they've garnered just two points, surpassing only Bangladesh in the standings based on net run rate. Their journey in India has seen them crumble against the Kiwis, suffer an unexpected defeat at the hands of Afghanistan, and endure a record-breaking 229-run loss to the Proteas.
Nevertheless, mathematically speaking, England still has a glimmer of hope. If they manage to clinch victories in their upcoming five group-stage clashes, they could accumulate 12 points. But even that might not guarantee a semi-final spot, with other results also coming into play.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka will look to bounce back [AP]
On the other hand, despite being marginally better placed than England because of their net run rate, Sri Lanka faces a similar uphill battle. Their batters have shown promise, crossing the 300-run mark against heavyweights South Africa and Pakistan and sealing a victory over the Netherlands with a 253-run chase, but they haven't always managed to be on the right side of the result.
The primary concern for Sri Lanka has been their bowling. Experts have pointed out their lack of discipline, especially against top-tier teams, a factor England would keenly look to exploit.
ENG vs SL: Match Details & Live Streaming
| Date & Time | October 26, 2023, 2:00 PM (IST) |
|---|---|
| Venue | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Broadcast & Live Streaming | Star Sports, Disney+Hotstar |
ENG vs SL: Pitch Report
The verdant pitch of Bengaluru promises a scoring bonanza. Historically a heaven for batters, the ground has seen mammoth totals, and this match might not be any different. Given the vulnerability of both teams' bowling arsenals, scores nearing or even surpassing 400 could be on the cards. The toss could prove crucial, with captains leaning towards batting first and setting up a hue target in this pressure game of monumental proportions.
ENG vs SL: Probable Playing XIs
England: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c & wk), Brydon Carse, David Willey, Mark Wood, Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson.
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Kusan Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka
ENG vs SL: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
| Wicket-keepers | Jos Buttler, Kusal Mendis |
|---|---|
| Battters | Joe Root, Dawid Malan, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka |
| All-rounders | Dhananjaya de Silva, David Willey |
| Bowlers | Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Dilshan Madushanka |
| Captain | Dawid Malan |
| Vice-captain | Kusal Mendis |
ENG vs SL: Prediction
England, as the defending champions, bring a depth of experience and a pedigree of resilience to the table, making them the favourites in the upcoming clash against Sri Lanka.
Their squad, brimming with world-class talent, has a proven track record of bouncing back from tight spots. Given the batting-friendly pitch of M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and the vulnerabilities in the Sri Lankan bowling lineup, England's formidable batting order is set to capitalise.
 "Jatin")
