Sri Lanka may not be able to banish their early tour demons with a Test victory at Lord’s this week, but they will be viewing the upcoming Royal London One-Day series with genuine hope after a fairly dismal trip so far.
Angelo Mathews takes his side to Ireland for two ODIs – which will act as warm-up games – before five 50-over matches against England, concluding with the finale at The SSE SWALEC in Cardiff on Saturday July 2.
It is a format in which England have improved immeasurably in a short space of time. It is easy forget it was only 18 months ago that Eoin Morgan’s side were embarrassed and dumped out of the 2015 World Cup in the group stage after defeat to Bangladesh.
But a change in selection policy and outlook spawned a ‘new England’ in ODI cricket last summer and, led by Morgan, they played with verve and vigour in a thrilling 3-2 series victory over Brendan McCullum’s New Zealand.
They meet a Sri Lanka side who will undoubtedly prove competitive and hard to crack.
Sri Lanka only reached the quarter-finals of the 2015 World Cup, but were finalists in 2011 and their pedigree in 50-over cricket remains proud, despite the loss of their batting dynamos, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena.
Mathews and Head Coach Graham Ford will be looking to stunt England’s explosive batting order, fronted by the powerful Jason Roy and Alex Hales and usually finished in blockbuster style by Jos Buttler.
England also boast the death-bowling prowess of Chris Jordan and two quality frontline spin options, in Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali.
With Morgan and Joe Root in the middle order to anchor the innings, England will expect to score 300 plus every time they go out to bat.
However, the loss of Ben Stokes to a knee injury throws into question the balance of the side. Stokes can be very hit-and-miss in ODI cricket, but offers a competent bowling option and the ability to clear the ropes in the last 10 or 50 overs.
Sri Lanka will – as in the Test series – rely heavily on Mathews with bat and ball, but without forceful opener Tillakaratne Dilshan, who has opted out of the tour, as well as Rangana Herath and seam duo Dhammika Prasad and Dushmantha Chameera (both injured), the tourists struggles may linger on.
Limited overs cricket can be a great leveller though and Mathews can ceraintly be a formidable force. England will have to be back to their exciting, explosive best to claim a series victory.
England’s clash with Sri Lanka at The SSE SWALEC is on July 2, with limited tickets still available. Secure your seats by clicking here.