Harry Brook admits England fear Pathum Nissanka

Pathum Nissanka to continue with red-hot form?: England has qualified for the Super 8 stages of the tournament. The Three Lions did not have their best of games in the group stages and lost one game against the West Indies and almost went through the line against Nepal. They have been seeded in Group 2 alongside co-hosts Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Pakistan.

The Three Lions will be playing their matches in Sri Lanka, where the ball grips and spins a bit. However, they have an advantage as recently they clean-swept Sri Lanka 3-0 at their home. This will help them get adapted to the conditions quickly and play the brand of cricket they played during the bilateral series.

Pathum Nissanka is breathing fire with the bat

But one thing to worry about for the English team is the red-hot form of Pathum Nissanka. He has been blazing fire through his bat, scoring a match-winning hundred against Australia, followed by a crucial fifty against Zimbabwe, though his team lost against the Chevrons. His form will be a concern for the England team.

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Pathum Nissanka has been in tremendous form, as he is the leading run getter for the side and the second-highest in the competition. He has scored 199 runs with an average of 66.33 and a brilliant strike rate of 156.69.

Harry Brook well prepared for Pathum Nissanka

Speaking on his form, England captain Harry Brook has shared his views. He feels Pathum Nissanka’s form will be a threat to the English side, and his wicket will be crucial; they would like to get him out early on Sunday at the R Premedasa Stadium, Colombo.

“Nissanka is on a bit of a heat at the minute, so it would be ideal if we can get him out early,” Brook said at the pre-match press conference on Saturday. Brook admitted his side had been “slightly too careful” with the bat at times. However, they will be treating the next phase as a new start.

“We see it as a new competition now. With no carrying over of points, it’s a completely fresh start,” he said. “We can probably be a bit more brave in certain situations and have more faith in the guys behind us.”

England confident to beat Sri Lanka

Though they won the series on the same venue, they are careful about the high stakes that the World Cup produces. Harry Brook is confident that his men are fully prepared for a full T20 match. But there has been heavy rain, and speaking on the adaptability of the shortened game, it will be key if overs are reduced.

Brook concluded, saying, “They’re obviously a strong side with a lot of confidence after a few very good wins,” he said. “If we stick to our guns and play our best cricket, there’s no reason why we can’t beat them. I think you just have to prepare as if it is a T20 game and hope that the rain stays away. If it doesn’t, then we’ve got to adapt.”

The Sri Lanka vs England game is scheduled to start at 3:00 PM IST at the R Premedasa Stadium, Colombo.

Also Read: Harry Brook openly revolts against Kavya Maran & Indian owners over Pakistan players’ snub in The Hundred