World champions England will host Sri Lanka in the first of three ODIs at the Riverside Ground in Durham.
Conditions in Durham will be as foreign as can be for Sri Lanka who are on the back foot after being whitewashed in the T20I series.
England vs Sri Lanka | 29 June 2021 | The Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street | 12:00
To Win Match
England 1/8
Tie 25/1
Sri Lanka 11/2
England
England sport an incredible batting lineup that forms the basis for most of their success.
In this series, England can call on the likes of Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy and Joe Root while skipper Eoin Morgan lurks in the middle order as well.
Fast bowler Mark Wood has been the closest thing to ever-present for England so far this season and looks more and more like the leader of this attack.
George Garton didn’t get a run in the T20I series and looks likely to act as understudy to David Willey as England seek to accommodate their all-rounders and two spinners into the XI.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka have had a rough time of it of late in ODI cricket but came out on top when these teams last met.
The Sri Lankans beat England during the hosts’ famous run to the 2019 World Cup final providing one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.
Left-handers Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Perera have been Sri Lanka’s best batsmen in the ODI format since the World Cup, but the team needs more from both men.
Sri Lanka have a few bowlers who can be handy in English conditions which could make the contest slightly more interesting than the one-sided T20I series.
Verdict: England 1/8
They are not the world champions for nothing and should really get the better of a very average Sri Lankan side. If you’re looking for a bit more value, get on the “a hundred to be scored in the match: yes” at 13/20. Someone in this devastatingly strong England top and middle order should bag a ton.
