With heavy rains not leaving the Sri Lankan shores, England and Sri Lanka are set to face each other in the fourth ODI at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on Saturday, Oct 20, 2018.
Live updates:
Overs 9.3: Sri Lanka 43/1
England won the toss and elected to field
The match is scheduled to start at 9:45 AM Local, 4:15 AM GMT.
England is leading the five-match series 2-0, after winning the last ODI by seven wickets under DLS Method. The match was shortened to a 21-over clash.
Broadcast details
The television right of the series is with Sky Sports Cricket in the United Kingdom, while MTV Channel and ITN FM will be televising the series live in Sri Lanka.
The online streaming of the series is available on the app and website of SonyLiv but it is limited to certain countries.
Will in-form Eoin Morgan lead England to a series-clinching victory in the fourth ODI?
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 20, 2018
Watch #SLvENG ODI live from 4.45am on Sky Sports Cricket: https://t.co/tF849pJoEF https://t.co/gvmz0BvcL8
Very few changes expected
England is unlikely to make any changes to their side after a strong show at the same venue during the third ODI. England would like to get this series done and dusted in this game so that they can try some players out for the last ODI. Meanwhile, Johnny Bairstow hasn't got a big score some time. This might call for Alex Hales coming into the side to open the innings.
4th ODI: England won the toss and elected to field first.
— Sri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) October 20, 2018
One change from both sides, Kasun Rajitha replaces Nuwan Pradeep, Bairstow replaced by Alex Hales.
LIVE ON: https://t.co/0vVtuEYqfd #SLvENG
Sri Lanka had a new opening combination in the last game. Whether Upul Tharanga will come back in the side in place of Samarawickrama, is not yet certain.
With a good batting pitch, Sri Lanka may choose Tharanga for his experience. The bowling combination is not expected to change for this crucial game, and the rest of batting is likely to stay the same.
Batting pitch and bad weather
England win the toss and choose to bowl first against Sri Lanka in the fourth ODI. It is dark in Kandy but the weather is holding firm for now.
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 20, 2018
Watch live on Sky Sports Cricket now. Live blog: https://t.co/6pWa5juJcO pic.twitter.com/uDOD8fNU3M
The pitch in Pallekele is known for being good for batting.
Even in the last game and the match against South Africa some time back, the pitch was good for batting. There will be something in it for the spinners though.
The weather forecast seems quite dull, which has been the case for this entire series so far. It won't be any different for the fourth ODI on Saturday. There are high chances of this match getting abandoned, which will give the series to the Englishmen.