With a new captain, Dinesh Chandimal in the side, Sri Lanka is set to play host to England in a five-match ODI series starting on Wednesday, October 10, 2018. The first ODI will be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Dambulla.
Match abandoned due to rain
The series opener is scheduled to start at 2:30 PM Local, 9:00 AM GMT.
The series between Sri Lanka and England will be televised live on the MTV Channel and ITN FM in Sri Lanka, while in the United Kingdom Sky Sports Cricket will be televising the series live.
Sri Lanka took a bold step of dropping captain Angelo Matthews from the ODI side after the side's dismal show at the recently concluded Asia Cup.
Match abandoned. Only 15 overs of play were possible in the first #SLvENG ODI, the outfield too damp to resume play despite the efforts of the ground staff after the rain stopped in Dambulla.#SLvENG scorecard ➡️ https://t.co/A2M8DbPf3G pic.twitter.com/KUAGEGs4Sz
— ICC (@ICC) October 10, 2018
Dinesh Chandimal, who has been handed over the reigns will surely slot in the middle-order, while Niroshan Dickwella is likely to replace Kusal Mendis in the top-order. ESPN Cricinfo suggests that either the spinner Amila Aponso or the seamer Dushmantha Chameera might find a place in the XI for the series opener.
Ahead of the 1st ODI in Dambulla, throwback to Sri Lanka and England's encounter at #CWC15!
— ICC (@ICC) October 10, 2018
Do you remember who scored centuries in that match?
WATCH ▶️ https://t.co/YiSvpzqvJd pic.twitter.com/DMoiysE1be
Selection worry for Morgan
If you leave out one or two selection choices, then England has a pretty much settled and predictable unit.
One of the two selection concerns which they would be facing is with the third seamer in the side. Either Tom or Sam Curran is supposed to get that spot, but Cricbuzz reported there might be a slight possibility that Liam Dawson might fill in as the third spinner instead.
The other selection puzzle which captain Eoin Morgan needs to solve is with the top-order. Alex Hales has scored runs at no.3 as Johnny Bairstow has opened the innings with Jason Roy.
Well, this situation has mainly occurred in the game where Ben Stokes has not featured. With Stokes back in the mix, it is expected that Hales might sit out even after doing nothing wrong with the bat in the recent times.
🏆 First ODI
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 9, 2018
🆚 Sri Lanka
📍 Dambulla
⏰ 10am UK time
📺 @SkyCricket
📻 @talkSPORT2
#️⃣ SLvENG
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Flat wicket and rain await the two sides
The pitch in Dambulla has been really flat in the last few games played here.
Even though, the home team has not found a lot of success in recent times.
The track offers some spin, but only if dew stays away from the ball. The weather forecast isn't the greatest building up towards the game.
Will we see more of this from Rash in Sri Lanka!? 😱 pic.twitter.com/5UfrOqCKda
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 9, 2018
There are even chances that heavy rain could wash out the game but according to Cricbuzz, the groundsmen have been optimistic to make the game happen for at least 20 overs each side.