The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 has reached a pivotal juncture, with England and Sri Lanka to compete in the 25th match at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium on October 26. Both teams find themselves in a precarious situation, having only managed to secure two points each in their initial four matches. The stakes are high as they hover on the verge of potential elimination, and the pressure is intensifying for a much-needed victory.
The M Chinnaswamy Stadium is known for high-scoring games, making it a challenging venue for bowlers. The match promises to be an exciting battle, with both teams desperately seeking a win.
Both teams are in need of a resurrection. England’s batting, which includes stars like Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root have failed to make an impact on the tournament. For Sri Lanka, Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama have shown promise with the bat, while Dilshan Madushanka has been impactful with the ball.
In terms of selection, England has used most of its 15 players but may turn to Brydon Carse to provide a boost in the middle overs. But England will likely go with Chris Woakes in this match. Sri Lanka will benefit from the inclusion of Angelo Mathews, a vastly experienced former captain.
In this high-pressure encounter, the spotlight will be on England’s Jos Buttler, who has had a disappointing tournament with the bat. He needs to find his form to lead England to victory. His leadership as captain was questioned after the choice to field first against South Africa. Nevertheless, there is no more effective means to rejuvenate England’s struggling campaign than by orchestrating the kind of middle-order destruction that few can match.Â
For Sri Lanka, Kusal Mendis will aim to continue his impressive performances. Sri Lanka have displayed flashes of their capabilities, notably through Kusal Mendis, who has taken on the role of captain while also handling wicketkeeping duties. Sadeera Samarawickrama has been impressive with the bat, and Dilshan Madushanka has shown his proficiency in taking wickets with the ball.
The clash at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium is not just about the present but also carries the weight of history between these two teams. With their World Cup aspirations hanging in the balance, both England and Sri Lanka are set to fight for survival, and fans can expect a thrilling contest in Bengaluru.
Team Changes
Carse has joined the squad as a replacement for the injured Reece Topley. However, he is not expected to be part of the playing eleven for this match, as his most recent bowling performance was in the ODI series against Ireland last month. It’s likely that Chris Woakes will be chosen to take Topley’s place as the new ball bowler. England’s head coach, Matthew Mott, mentioned that they would assess the team’s balance again following their loss in Mumbai. Players like Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, and Sam Curran, who possess different skillsets, could be considered if they return to the allrounder role.
Sri Lanka has been given approval to bring in the highly experienced former captain Angelo Mathews as a replacement for Matheesha Pathirana. However, it remains uncertain what specific role Mathews might play, especially considering his limited participation in ODI matches over the past two and a half years. Additionally, Dunith Wellalage might come back into contention for selection, having sat out the previous match against the Netherlands.
Predicted Playing XI
England: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c & wk), David Willey, Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha/Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
