After rain forced the umpires to call off the first ODI, Sri Lanka and England are all set to face each other in the second ODI at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Dambulla on Saturday, October 13, 2018.
Live updates:
50 Overs: England 278/9
Sri Lanka wins the toss and fields first
Stay tuned for the toss
The match is scheduled to start at 10:00 AM local, 4:30 AM GMT and will be a day match.
The series will be televised live on the Sky Sports Cricket in the United Kingdom, while in Sri Lanka MTV Channel and ITN FM will be televising the series live.
Sri Lanka win the toss and insert England in second #SLvENG ODI in Dambulla.
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 13, 2018
Both sides are unchanged from the rain-wrecked first match.
Watch live on SS Cricket: https://t.co/fSoB7R7rri
Live blog: https://t.co/O92C6uUV5P pic.twitter.com/IdeQV6VP29
During the first ODI at the same venue earlier this week, rain played the spoilsport after England batted for just 15 overs in the first innings. With no reserve day in place, the game was officially called off.
Sri Lanka need 279 to win second #SLvENG ODI.
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 13, 2018
Adil Rashid (19no) swats back-to-back boundaries to finish the innings and take his last-wicket stand with Olly Stone to 24 as England post 278-9.
Watch on SS Cricket: https://t.co/gJvLMyiNDq
Blog: https://t.co/ZvSl65BWOR pic.twitter.com/F4m6BTp2NM
Both teams likely to play three spinners
England decided to play with three spinners in the first ODI, expecting the ball to turn and grip on the Dambulla pitch.
Unfortunately, no one could know whether the experiment worked or not due to the washout. England is likely to opt for the same playing XI even in the second ODI.
England post 278/9 (50 overs) Five-wicket haul for Lasith Malinga (5/44), Eoin Morgan 92, Joe Root 71.
— Sri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) October 13, 2018
Target 279. #SLvENG
LIVE ON - https://t.co/zkEcjnEoav pic.twitter.com/idViWdKP4w
But, according to Cricbuzz, captain Eoin Morgan had said he is ready to sit out of a few games to try and give opportunities to young guys before the World Cup 2019.
If Morgan decides to sit out, vice-captain Jos Butler will in charge of the side.
FIFTY stand between Root and Bairstow after Roy's early duck - England are 54-1 after 10 overs against Sri Lanka in Dambulla.
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 13, 2018
Watch #SLvENG live on SS Cricket: https://t.co/eDTQVvIKix
Live blog: https://t.co/fHb4uPQQmo pic.twitter.com/rxJncUjAhk
Read: Sri Lanka vs England 1st ODI abandoned due to rain
Sri Lanka is likely to play the same XI which took the field during the first ODI, according to Cricbuzz.
The Sri Lankan bowlers had failed to keep the run-rate of the England team below as the tourists compiled 92 runs in 15 overs. The bowling attack will not be tinkered with as Sri Lanka will also continue to have three spinners in their ranks to match the conditions of the Dambulla wicket.
Rain still a worry in Dambulla
Welcome back to Dambulla!
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 13, 2018
Scorching sun here ahead of the second ODI starting at 5.15am UK time.#SLvENG pic.twitter.com/pwRsBnG4bI
The pitch is Dambulla has been a fantastic track to bat on in the recent times. Except for some challenges with the new ball, the pitch doesn't give a lot to the bowlers. With continuous rain in the area for some time now, we can expect the pitch to restore some balance with the bat and the ball.
The weather forecast of Dambulla is still very bad. The rain has been continuous, but if the match is somehow abandoned, the match will be played again on the next day as a reserve day was included for the second game.
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