Reigning champions England will face Sri Lanka in Match 25 of the ICC Cricket World Cup, 2023 on October 26 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, India. The match commences at 02:00 PM IST. England are in depths of despair following their nightmarish campaign in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Having won only one of their four matches, their hopes of making the top four are getting slimmer with each passing day.
The Jos Buttler-led side started their World Cup campaign with a nine-wicket loss to New Zealand. They regrouped and beat Bangladesh by a massive 137-run margin in the next match. However, they suffered a shock loss to Afghanistan in the third match and were handed a 229-run defeat by South Africa in their previous fixture. They are currently placed ninth in the ICC Cricket World Cup standings with two points from four matches.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, head into the match following a five-wicket win over the Netherlands. The win over the Dutch was Sri Lanka’s first victory after suffering three consecutive defeats.
The Islanders are currently eighth in the league standings with two points from four matches.
ENG vs SL Fantasy XI
Wicket-keepers: Sadeera Samarawickrama
Batters: Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Joe Root, Dawid Malan
All-rounders: Sam Curran
Bowlers: Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
Sri Lanka’s Sadeera Samarawickrama is the best option for the wicket-keeper spot in the fantasy team. The right-handed batter has scored 230 runs in 4 matches. He also has a ton and a half-century to his name in the ongoing campaign.
Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis has made 218 runs while his teammate Pathum Nissanka has contributed 166 runs in 4 matches for his team. Southpaw Charith Asalanka too has been in good touch, racking up 149 runs across 4 matches in the tournament.
For England, Dawid Malan has scored 192 runs in 4 matches while his compatriot Joe Root has managed 172 runs in 4 matches at a strike rate of 97.18. The onus will be on these two batters to steer the English ship.
Sam Curran will be the top contender for the all-rounder position. Although he has not been as effective with the bat, the left-arm bowler has been among the wickets in the ongoing competition.
Captain: Sadeera Samarawickrama
Sri Lanka’s Sadeera Samarawickrama is the top contender for the captaincy spot in the fantasy XI team. Samarawickrama’s ability with the bat as well as behind the wickets is likely to fetch him good fantasy points. The right-hander scored a splendid 89-ball 108 against a superlative Pakistan bowling attack earlier in the tournament and Sri Lanka will be dependent on him to produce his best against an English attack on Thursday.
Vice-captain: Sam Curran
On a balanced track of the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Sam Curran’s all-round skills will be vital for England. The 24-year-old cricketer is yet to fire on all cylinders in the ongoing World Cup, however, the match against Sri Lanka will be a perfect platform for him to showcase his abilities and power the English team to victory. Sam Curran will be a good choice for the vice-captaincy spot.Vice-captaincy Picks
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