England v Sri Lanka 3rd ODI: Tourists reeling from Edgbaston battering
Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | June 25, 2016
England v Sri Lanka
- Third One Day International of five
- Sunday, June 26th
- Play starts: 10:30 BST
- Bristol County Ground, Bristol (Gloucestershire CCC)
- Live on Sky Sports 2
England excel at Edgbaston
There’s no time for Trevor Bayliss and England to rest on their laurels after reaching a target of 255 set by tourists Sri Lanka in the second of five One Day Internationals with a massive 15 overs to spare.
Another ODI between the two takes place on Sunday and the hosts should be hugely confident of repeating victory as Coral make England odds-on 2/7 favourites to follow up on their 10-wicket win at Edgbaston.
Sri Lanka, who have doubts over the fitness of skipper Angelo Mathews, are 5/2 outsiders to finally beat their hosts on what has been a winless Tour for the Subcontinental island nation.
Roy returns to form
England opener Jason Roy had a hugely impressive all-round display in Birmingham and, although there’s a swift turnaround between One Day series matches,
Getting two key run outs when Sri Lanka were at the crease, Roy then followed up by smashing an unbeaten 112 off 95 balls. At a fantastic 4/1 to be best England batsman here, this return to form makes Roy appealing.
Opening partner Alex Hales put together an even more impressive strike rate with an unbeaten 133 off 110 deliveries. A nifty 9/2 wincast is available on him being best with the bat and an England win.
Plunkett continues to perform
Not content with first ODI figures of 2-67 and hitting the six off the final ball that denied Sri Lanka victory and scraped a draw in dramatic fashion, Yorkshire paceman Liam Plunkett took another couple of victims at Edgbaston.
Recording a better economy and 2-49, Plunkett’s performances during this One Day series are notable. If you fancy him to be best England bowler again, then a 4/1 price is certainly attractive.
County teammate Adil Rashid boasted even better figures at Edgbaston of 2-34, which is surprising given how Sri Lanka use spin themselves. With a leg break style that the opposition have struggled with, Rashid is a tasty 10/3 alternative to be top dog with the ball for England.
Chandimal could be batting bet for tourists
With injury concerns for Mathews, Sri Lanka will look to wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal to also lead with the bat. He was one of two touring playing to get a half-century at Edgbaston, and Chandimal thus makes a considerable case to be best visiting batsman at 4/1.
If it’s a longer punter you’re after, then Upul Tharanga at 8/1 has double the odds of Chandimal to follow up on top scoring for Sri Lanka last time out. Although he put just one more run on the board, Tharanga’s strike rate was vastly superior.
From a bowling perspective, Suranga Lakmal has taken 65 wickets in 45 One Day games. He looks a worthy 3/1 joint-favourite to be Sri Lanka’s with the ball.
Related
Check out our cricket section for coverage of Sri Lanka and Pakistan’s Summer Tours of England.
Coral’s top tip: Hales has plenty of appeal in that 9/2 best England batsman wincast.
