ENG vs SL Match Preview- ICC T20 World Cup 2021, Match 29

England and Sri Lanka lock horns in the 29^th match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday. The two teams have exhibited contrasting performances in the tournament thus far.

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England and Sri Lanka have played 12 T20 internationals against each other. England have won 8 out of them, while Sri Lanka have won four. Here’s a look at how these two teams have performed so far in the tournament.

ENG vs SL Match Preview- ICC T20 World Cup 2021, Match 29

England:

England have been ruthless and looked like the best side along with Pakistan in the competition. Be it their batting or bowling, they have impressed one and all in all departments of the game.

In the first game against West Indies, they bundled them out for just 55 runs. In the next game, they restricted Bangladesh to only 124 runs. England played their last game against Australia on Saturday and bowled them out for just 125 runs. Chris Jordan bowled a sensational spell of four overs as he took 3 wickets for just 17 runs in 4 overs. Besides, Chris Woakes and Tymal Mills picked two wickets each. England were so good with the ball that they didn’t find the need to give a single over to Moeen Ali.

Jos Buttler stole the show in the second innings as he put an exhibition of sixes. The England opener got going right from the onset of his innings. He wreaked havoc with the bat, scoring 71 runs off just 32 balls, including 5 fours and as many sixes, at a strike rate of 221.88.

England more or less have qualified for the semi-finals, however, they would want to finish the Super 12 stage at number one position. Ahead of their next game against Sri Lanka on Monday, they would look to extend their winning run.

Sri Lanka:

Sri Lanka could have been in a great position had Lahiru Kumara defended 15 runs off the final over in the last game against South Africa. But he couldn’t and therefore, Sri Lanka is currently sitting at fourth position on the Group1 points table. They began their Super 12 campaign with a 5-wicket win over Bangladesh but then went on to lose against Australia and South Africa.

Sri Lankan batsmen failed to make substantial contributions as they kept losing their wickets away after getting started. Pathum Nissanka was the only one who held firm and played till the end.  His outstanding 58-ball 72 took Sri Lanka to a competitive 142-run total.

Dushmantha Chameera gave a great start with the ball as he accounted for the wickets of both the South African openers inside the powerplay. However, Temba Bavuma (46 off 46) then stitched crucial partnerships with Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markam to bring South Africa back into the contest.

Wanindu Hasaranga’ hat-trick though once again shifted the momentum in favour of Sri Lanka. However, with 15 needed in the end, David Miller and Kagiso Rabada took South Africa home in 19.5 overs. Nevertheless, Sri Lanka fought hard and would be wanting to win the next two games to give themselves a chance of reaching the semi-finals.