Sri Lanka vs. England 2021 : TOSS CAN BE THE DECIDER || 2nd Test
Sri Lanka vs. England 2021
2nd Test – Fri, 22nd January
Wrecked Sri Lanka:
The Sri Lankans need a savior to get out of this mess. DO they need a reshuffle? Or an energy drink? Out go Kusal Mendis and Captain Dimuth Karunaratne. In to the roster come Oshada Fernando and Roshen Silva.
Karunartane’s finger wound continued in South Africa, has not cured adequately, while Mendis has made four successive ducks. Lahiru Thirimanne, who got a century in the second innings in Galle, is likely to open the batting.
Their power is the middle order of Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal, trailed by capricious Niroshan Dickwella. They will also hope Wanindu Hasaranga and Dasun Shanaka can yield a couple of lightning cameos.
Suranga Lakmal is set to lead the bowling lineup, with Asitha Fernando making way. That reinforces their bowling unit. However, the spinners will be vital, and Lasith Embuldeniya and Dilruwan Perera have shown they can distress the visitors.
Possible playing XI: Kusal Perera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Asitha Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Wanindu Hasaranga, Dinesh Chandimal (C), Dilruwan Perera, Lasith Embuldeniya, and Suranga Lakmal.
English Spectacle for Another Win:
The visitors are also set to make alterations as they keep one eye on India’s chartbuster series fast-forthcoming. That means they could change their complete speed attack with James Anderson probable to return to his lead role. However, it is just a possibility.
Olly Stone and Chris Woakes can accompany Anderson as Sam Curran, Stuart Broad, and Mark Wood are restored. There is, nevertheless, no room for Moeen Ali, who has been acknowledged not match-fit. Joe Root may be obligated to bowl more in the middle to spare his bowlers.
Although the English team will be poised by the seven-wicket win in the first match, they will be conscious they were easy first-innings wickets. More informative is the second-innings shows of both sides.
Possible playing XI: Dominic Sibley, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Daniel Lawrence, Jos Buttler (WK), Dom Bess, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root (C), Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, and Olly Stone.
The venue, Pitch Report, and Toss Prediction:
The second Test between England and Sri Lanka will take place at the Galle International Cricket Stadium, beginning on 22nd January.
As seen in Galle’s last Test match, the spin bowlers hold the key with a decent turn on offer. While the first two days might offer some bounce and movement for the pace bowlers, the batters will need to keep an eye out for a sharp turn off the wicket.
The surface should worsen with each passing day, making it all the more challenging to bat on, compelling either team to avoid batting in the last innings. Winning the toss and electing to bat would be both Chandimal and Root’s plan, as the spin bowlers are set to roar once again in Galle.
Toss Calls for Winners:
Sri Lanka is 2.30, England 2.20, and the draw is 6.00. Not much of a difference, but the numbers can be illusory. The latter should be significantly more prominent, and that’s pure because each of the last 12 games has had outcomes.
As we said, the toss is still vital, and a first-innings total of a little more than 250 is expected to be more than reasonable. And hence, we reckon to keep faith in the Lankans if they bat first. Indeed.
Had Sri Lanka batted just off-color, instead of making one of the most outrageously hopeless Test performances ever seen, they may well have gone for a victory in the first gibe. A target of 235 (in place of 135) would have put England under substantial pressure on a turning wicket.
If Sri Lanka bats first, their odds should clamp up at 2.20. England rates will soar if they bat first, and they would rate a flawlessly good bet at a lesser rate. England is much better for the run coming off an incredible win in the first game.
Best Value:
Joe Root has been price-boosted to for best batsmen for England in the first innings. It is no value on winning price, so we diverge, predominantly as he is going for back-to-back victories. He indeed is a good player of spin and can do justice to the price.
The prices to notice are Jos Buttler and Dan Lawrence. We thought Sportsbook would have corrected that latter rate by now, so they are willing to get it.
