England brimming with confidence

by Ranjan Anandappa

CRICKET: England who finally found their elusive victory formula on Sri Lankan soil after a lapse of 25 years, levelling the five match ODI series 1/1, will be brimming with confidence when they meet Sri Lanka in the third Bradford and Bingley one-day International series in a day/night match at the picturesque Rangiri Dambulu Stadium today (Sunday).

England last won a match in Sri Lanka in 1982, and they have lost seven ODIs consecutively prior to this, either at home or away. In 2006, the Lankans won the ODI series 5/0 in England and in the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies they beat England by 2 runs and in 2003 in the inaugural match at the Dambulla Stadium, Sri Lanka won by 10 wickets.

The 65-run win recorded on Thursday will no doubt be a morale booster for the remaining three matches, with two ODIs to be played in Colombo at the R. Premadasa Stadium next Wednesday and Saturday. Sri Lanka and England have met each other in 40 ODIs so far and both teams have won 20 matches each.

Chairman selectors Ashantha de Mel is planning to have a couple of changes for todays match, after last Thursdays defeat. However, the final composition of the team will be known only on the day of the match. The Lankans are badly in need of a reputed spinner to bowl on the slow track. At the moment the spinner's job has been shared between Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillekeratne Dilshan. The fast bowlers Dilhara Fernando and Farveez Maharoof in particular have been on target most of the time, but Lasith Malinga has been unable to provide the early breakthrough.

National curator Anurudha Polonowita said the match will be played on the same track that the first match was played. The toss would play a vital role once again, and the side that bats under lights will have to be at a slight disadvantage, because at this time of the year with the rainy season approaching, there is a tendency of a climatic change towards evening.

England (from) : Paul Collingwood (Captain), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Alistair Cook, Chris Tremlett, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Phil Mustard (Wicket keeper), Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebottom, Gream Swann, Luke Wright.

Sri Lanka from : Mahela Jayawardena (Captain), Kumar Sangakkara (Wicket keeper), Chaminda Vaas, Sanath Jayasuriya, T. M. Dilshan, Chamara Silva, Jehan Mubarak, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Farveez Maharoof, Upul Tharanga, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Gayan Wijekoon, Dilruwan Perera.

Umpires; Rudi Koertzen (South Africa), Asoka de Silva (Sri Lanka), TV Umpire; Gamini Silva, Fourth Umpire; Gratien Liyanage, Match referee; Javagal Srinath (India).