England vs Sri Lanka 2021, 1st ODI-Sri Lanka's Predicted XI

Sri Lanka head into the ODI series against England on the back of a T20I series loss. They are placed at the bottom of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League points table with just one win in 6 matches. Bangladesh beat them 2-1 in an ODI series before the series against England. To make matters worse, three of their players from the current squad were suspended after they breached the bio-bubble protocols.

The Sri Lankan team is no less than a mess with their players suspended. The series will become all the tougher now with players missing. Meanwhile, the SLC has also started an inquiry on the same. In the meantime, we get down to predicting Sri Lanka‘s playing XI for the first game against England.

England vs Sri Lanka 2021, 1st ODI-Sri Lanka’s Predicted XI

Kusal Perera

Perera scored 54 runs in the three-match T20I series against England. With his team struggling, all eyes will be on his performance in the first game. The left-hander will also shoulder leadership responsibilities for the three-match series.

Also Read: England vs Sri Lanka 2021, 1st ODI: Match Prediction

Avishka Fernando

With the regular opener Danushka Gunathilaka suspended, Fernando, can open the innings with Perera. He generally bats in the middle-order but now has to open the innings with a few of their players suspended on breaking bio-bubble protocols.

Dhananjaya De Silva

De Silva is one of the most promising Sri Lankan cricketers in the current squad. With his team struggling, a good innings from him in the first game, can certainly lift the spirits of his teammates. Many of the players including De Silva might need to bat out of position to maintain the balance of the team.

Oshada Fernando

Fernando is just seven matches old into his ODI career. He is a middle-order batsman who bowls right-arm off-spin. Sri Lanka is filled with players who can do a bit of both and Fernando falls in that category.

Dasun Shanaka

Shanaka is another al-rounder in the line-up. He top-scored for Sri Lanka in the T20I games. He scored 65 from the three games but did not get much success with the ball. He needs to perform big time for his team to get over the line against a tough England side.

Wanindu Hasaranga

Hasaranga is another player who fills the all-round role in the side. He bats right-handed and bowls right-arm leg break. He can be used with the ball in the first game, given that spin plays a part at the venue.

Isuru Udana

Udana is the most experienced bowler in the Sri Lankan team in this squad. He picked up three wickets in the T20I series. With his changeups and pace variations, he will be key to his team throughout the series. He is also expected to be in the Lankan squad that will be announced for the India series next month.

Nuwan Pradeep

Pradeep is a swing bowler and can be a handful if there are overhead conditions for the first ODI. He swings the ball both ways and can be a tough bowler to handle for the England batters.

Dushmantha Chameera

Chameera ended the T20I series as the highest wicket-taker. He took six wickets from three games and bowled with pace. He took 4/17 in the third T20I when all the other Lankan bowlers struggled to stop the runs. Chameera in good form throughout the series is a must for Sri Lanka.

Akila Dananjaya

Dananjaya is the first specialist spinner in the line-up. He is a wily customer for the opposition. The England batsmen barring Morgan and Root are not good players of spin and ths Sri Lankan spin twins Dananjaya and Lakshan Sandakan must exploit the conditions.

Lakshan Sandakan

The left-rm spinner completes Sri Lanka’s predicted playing XI for the first game. With a few of their key players missing the onus will be in these XI to win the series for their team.

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