After giving Sri Lanka 10-wicket defeat two nights ago, England would look to extend their dominance and take 2-0 lead in the 3ed of the five-match ODI series at Bristol on Sunday (June 26).
By winning the preceding 50-over series against Ireland courtesy some strong performances both with the bat and the ball, Sri Lanka put up a spirited fight, defending 286, on a batsmen-friendly Nottingham pitch in the series opener that culminated in a dramatic tie. However, their bowling looked pedestrian in the following encounter as the opening duo of Alex Hales and Jason Roy plundered easy centuries and single-handedly managed to overhaul Sri Lanka's total of 254 with more than 15 overs left.
Hales and Roy started cautiously but after some time smashed bowlers all over the park to shatter numerous records during their opening stand of 256 which gave a lead of 1-0. Sri Lanka have concerns in the batting department too. Barring the captain and vice-captain duo of 'Angelo Mathews' and 'Dinesh Chandimal', and cameos from 'Seekkuge Prasanna' and 'Upul Tharanga', others are yet to make contributions that can give their team a good defend.
After a phenomenal debut in the series opener against Ireland earlier on the tour, 'Dasun Shanaka' failed to make an impact in the next two games and faced the axe in the second ODI, suggesting that the visitors are leaving no stone unturned as they chase the elusive win against the hosts. With just three games left and a deficit of 1-0, it wouldn't come as a surprise if Sri Lanka alter their playing XI. They would, however, be hoping that their captain regains full fitness.
England, on the other hand, have put up one dominating show after another. When the top-order collapsed, in the first game, Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes stepped up and Liam Plunkett's last-ball heroics denied Sri Lanka a deserving win. Hales and Roy then wrapped up the chase all by themselves to back up a good show by their bowlers that restricted the visitors to just 254
10 wicket vicotry
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