ICC World Cup 2019: England vs Sri Lanka - Match Preview, Predicted XI, Weather, Pitch, Prediction & Stats

The hosts England and depleted Sri Lanka will take on each other in the 27th match of the World Cup 2019. England has been in fine form as they have ticked the right boxes in the tournament and they would like to continue their good form going. We take a look at Match Preview, Predicted, Weather, Pitch and Stats.

The hosts had come up with sublime batting performance in their last match against Afghanistan. Eoin Morgan had thwarted Afghanistan as he had scored a blistering knock of 148 runs from 71 balls. Thus, Morgan will look to continue his sublime form going.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka has had a disappointing World Cup campaign. Sri Lanka has won only a solitary contest out of their five matches and every match is a do or die affair for them. Hence, Dimuth Karunaratne-led side will aim to pull up their socks.

Sri Lanka’s bowling has also disappointed and they had conceded 334 runs against Australia in their last match. Furthermore, they were looking set to chase down the target at one stage after they got off to flying start. However, they crumble like a pack of cards and it has become a norm with Sri Lankan cricket.

The middle order has been their Achilles Heel and they are not getting any runs. Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis have scored the lion share of the runs whereas there has hardly been any contribution from Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Matthews and Dhananjaya de Silva. Thus, Sri Lanka needs to come up with a better performance in the batting department.

On the other hand, England is going all guns blazing. The hosts have won four out of their five matches and they look set to qualify for the last four. Furthermore, Mark Wood and Jofra Archer have generated quick speed and they have breathed down the neck of the opposition batters with their pace.

Date and Venue: 21 June 2019, Headingley, Leeds.

Match Prediction: England will begin the match as favourites against beleaguered Sri Lanka. The hosts will look to continue their domination going in the tournament.

England Predicted Playing XI: James Vince, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI: Kusal Perera (wk), Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjay de Silva, Angelo Matthews, Thisara Perera, Jeevan Mendis, Isuru Udana, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga.

Pitch Report: This is going to be the first match of the tournament at Headingley, Leeds. Ergo, it would be interesting to note how the pitch will play. In fact, the pitch is going to provide assistance to the batsmen.

Weather Report:

The temperature is going to stay around 18-degree Celsius. The sky is going to be partly cloudy but there is no forecast of rain.

Stats

Joe Root needs another hundred to surpass Kevin Pietersen’s tally of International hundred. Both Pietersen and Root have scored 32 centuries whereas Alastair Cook has scored most centuries (38) for England.