Sri Lanka take on England with an eye on World T-20

Avishka Fernando returns to the side after being axed in January.

One of the joys of covering the Sri Lankan cricket team in the UK is that you get to go to all the small cricket centers of the country such as Cardiff, Bristol, Chester-Le-Street, Taunton and Canterbury while big boys like India and Australia frequent Lord’s, Trent Bridge, Old Trafford and Headingley. The Sri Lankans are in the Welsh capital of Cardiff where today’s first T-20 International will be played.

A two hour train ride from London and a ten minute walk from the train station to the ground passing Wales’ gigantic rugby stadium and the 12th century Cardiff Castle, the city is a mixture of modern marvels and ancient monuments.

The Sri Lankans don’t have much fond memories here though. It was here Thisara Perera put down a sitter off Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed to be kicked out of the Champions Trophy in 2017. Pakistan went onto win the title beating arch-rivals India and Sarfraz rubbed salt into Sri Lankan wounds by conceding that he would remember that drop catch for the rest of his life and Thisara would remember for the rest of his life.

It was also here that Sri Lanka were blown away just over a session for 82 runs in 2011, their lowest total ever against England.

The thing with Cardiff is that it always moves around and you are never settled. You can be 200 for one at one moment and 20 minutes later 225 all out.

This is a T-20 though so the batters will throw caution to wind.

If you ask the Sri Lankans, they will tell you that they want to win the series desperately. But to be honest, they have bigger things to worry about. Already forced to play the qualifying tournament of this year’s T-20 World Cup, the Sri Lankans will be getting their unit right for that challenge. A series win will be the last thing on their minds.

Avishka Fernando returns to the side after being axed in January having failed multiple fitness tests. He was overlooked for back to back international assignments and that forced him to get his act together. He is expected to open the innings with Danushka Gunathilaka with Kusal Perera slotted to bat at number three followed by Kusal Mendis.

There will be lot of focus on Dushmantha Chameera as well who with his raw pace has impressed many in recent months.

England have recalled all-rounder Chris Woakes and left-arm quick David Willey.

The first two T-20 Internationals will be played in Cardiff followed by the third game in Southampton.

Sri Lanka

(Probable XI): Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera (Captain), Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep, Lakshan Sandakan or Akila Dananjaya.

England

(From) : Eoin Morgan (Captain), Moeen Ali, Jonathan Bairstow, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, David Willey, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood.