Key Highlights
- Sri Lanka vs England match starts at 9am on Thursday, January 22.
- The match will be played at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Bet £10 to get £30 in Free Bets with bet365 for this ODI series.
- Adil Rashid is favored to take the most wickets for England.
- Charith Asalanka could be top runscorer for Sri Lanka at R Premadasa Stadium.
Sri Lanka vs England: Match Preview and Betting Tips
The first One Day International (ODI) match between Sri Lanka and England is set to kick off on Thursday, January 22. This series marks the beginning of a crucial ODI competition for both teams, with Sri Lanka hosting this event as part of their co-hosting duties for next month’s T20 World Cup.
Match Details
The match will be played at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. England faces a familiar challenge after their recent Ashes defeat against Australia. Despite the loss, key players like Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, and Harry Brook are expected to feature prominently.
The teams will play three ODIs and three T20 internationals in this series.
It’s a significant opportunity for England to bounce back from their disappointing performance during the 2023 World Cup title defense. Sri Lanka, known for their strong performances at home, will be looking to capitalize on their experience at R Premadasa Stadium.
Betting Tips
In terms of betting tips, Adil Rashid is favored to take the most wickets for England in this ODI series. Rashid has been outstanding in recent series against West Indies and South Africa, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure. His experience will be crucial as he aims to outshine India stars like Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Hardik Pandya.
For Sri Lanka, Charith Asalanka is a big price bettor for top runscoring at R Premadasa Stadium.
Early in his ODI career, Asalanka consistently produced impressive scores against India and South Africa. His four appearances at the venue last year included standout performances of 127 and 78 not out against Australia and 106 against Bangladesh.
Team News
Sri Lanka has made some changes to their squad for this series, with Dhananjaya de Silva and Dunith Wellalage being recalled. Dilshan Madushanka is injured, and fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera has been rested. The Sri Lankan team line-up features Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wicketkeeper), Charith Asalanka (captain), Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Eshan Malinga.
England has confirmed their 11 players for the first ODI.
Zak Crawley will make his ODI debut as an opener, while Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook continue to lead in their roles. Adil Rashid is expected to play a pivotal role as England’s top wicket-taker.
With betting odds of 11-10 for Sri Lanka and 8-11 for England (as per bet365), the stage is set for an exciting ODI series. Fans can sign up with bet365 to get £30 in Free Bets when they bet £10.
For more betting tips, visit Racing Post Sport.
