3 things Sri Lanka can do to beat England in the 2023 World Cup
Sri Lanka are struggling to get a grip on their World Cup campaign, with only a win over the Netherlands to show for their efforts so far. They suffered heavy defeats against South Africa and Australia in particular, while also losing out to subcontinent rivals Pakistan.
Injuries have not helped the cause by any means. The Asia Cup 2023 finalists have lost about half their starting playing XI either prior to or during the ongoing tournament. The likes of Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera were ruled out ahead of the World Cup, while the Lankans lost the services of Dasun Shanaka and Matheesha Pathirana midway through the campaign.
Sri Lanka stepped up with a spirited performance to defeat England in their own backyard in the previous edition, and they need to conjure up something similar if they wish to remain alive in the tournament.
Both sides come into the match with contrasting outcomes in their previous respective contests. Sri Lanka stepped up to notch their first win of the campaign over the Netherlands, but England suffered a record defeat against South Africa.
The defending champions had their back against the wall in the previous edition as well, but as we all know, they turned things around to go all the way and lift the title for the very first time. As a result, Sri Lanka will be up against a resurgent England outfit, adamant to live up to their tag as favorites.
On that note, here are three things Sri Lanka can do to beat England in the 2023 World Cup.
#1 Capitalize on England's crumbling confidence
England look like a shadow of their best self and are rocked to the core following consecutive defeats to Afghanistan and South Africa. Jos Buttler and company have a lot of questions to answer- right from their approach to their best-playing XI.
Sri Lanka can potentially capitalize on England's vulnerability by putting them under even more pressure. The subcontinent side can ruffle a few feathers with a bright start across either, if not, both innings, and hope to extend the momentum.
For a team that has a formidable middle order, England have had some serious death-batting woes. They cannot afford a poor third powerplay at the Chinnaswamy Stadium and Sri Lanka have to ensure that they improve on this front.
Kusal Mendis and company were poor with the ball in the latter half against the Netherlands. Bowlers cannot leave their foot off the pedal against a side like England, who despite their abysmal run of form, are a formidable threat on their day.
#2 In-form Dilshan Madushanka against out-of-sorts England top order
Left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka has been one of the few positives for Sri Lanka in the World Cup campaign so far. He has made the new ball talk, and with the ensuing movement, has been able to claim 11 wickets in just four matches.
England's top order struggled under the lights against Afghanistan and South Africa. Barring Harry Brook's fifty against Afghanistan in Delhi, the entire England batting unit has nothing to show for in recent times. They were bowled out for 215 and 170 in their recent set of matches, and the issue begins right at the top.
The opening partnership has been breached inside the first set of overs by opposition pacers, and one brings two, and so on. Sri Lanka will be hoping to do the same, with Dilshan Madushanka leading their charge, along with Kasun Rajitha with the new ball.
#3 Stick with an aggressive batting template against a struggling England bowling attack
Sri Lanka's top order has arguably ticked all of the boxes, making the most of flat tracks and giving the team solid starts. They were aggressive against South Africa and Pakistan, leading them to solid final totals.
Sri Lanka were also in good shape against Australia at one stage, putting on an opening partnership worth 125 runs before they crumbled. Even though their batting was a bit shaky against the Netherlands, they pulled through in the end.
The first match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium produced a run-fest along expected lines. Sri Lanka, who have been scoring sixes at will in the tournament, will relish the short boundaries, but might also be wary that it plays to England's strength as well.
England's bowling attack has taken a major hit as Reece Topley has been ruled out of the tournament. Furthermore, the defending champions are lacking confidence in their bowling unit, considering the changes that are being made to the playing XI. Sam Curran and Chris Woakes, who were part of the playing XI when the tournament began, are on the bench.
Much to England's dismay, even the replacement candidates are not working out. They have roped in Brydon Carse as Topley's replacement, but it is yet to be seen whether he will be thrown into action right away.
Sri Lanka can make the most of the volatile situation and put more pressure on the England bowling unit in what is expected to be optimum batting conditions, much like how South Africa did.
Will Kusal Mendis and company defeat England in the World Cup for the fifth time in a row? Let us know what you think.