Sri Lanka bat first in final ODI
October 23, 2018 02:25 pm
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first against England in the fifth and final ODI played at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal, speaking at the toss said: “It looks like a really good pitch and it’s really dry so it’s better to bat first and get a big score to put them under pressure.
“We’ve rested Lasith Malinga and when you’re going to the World Cup you want to give youngsters a chances and I’m sure they will do their best with this opportunity.
“Kusal Mendis is out future so that’s why we keep giving him a chance and I’m sure he will come back strongly.
“We are a young team and we are improving. In the last game we were close to winning and if we can win a game or a series then everything will fall into place.”
England stand-in skipper Jos Buttler, speaking at the toss: “I would’ve looked to bowl anyway - there is a bit of weather around so chasing will suit us.
“It’s always a honour when you get a chance to captain and it’s great to get exposed to it.
“I’m going to move up the order to bat at four. This match is also a great chance for all the bowlers, there is a lot of competition and they’re all desperate to impress.”
The hosts make two changes, both in the bowling department, with Dushmantha Chameera in for Lasith Malinga and Lakshan Sandakan replacing Amila Aponso.
England make three changes, with Sam Curran, Liam Plunkett and Mark Wood in for Eoin Morgan, Chris Woakes and Olly Stone.
That also means it’s the first England appearance together for brothers Sam and Tom Curran.
They become the first brother to play together for England since Adam and Ben Hollioake in 1999.
Sri Lanka: Niroshan Dickwella, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ajantha Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Akila Dananjaya, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan.
England: Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett, Tom Curran, Mark Wood.
-Agencies
