England v Sri Lanka Third T20 Tips: Buttler to the fore in dominant home win

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Saturday 19 September, 14:30
TV: Sky Sports

England v Sri Lanka third T20 team news

England have an unassailable lead 2-0 lead with one to play. But that doesn't guarantee wholesale changes to test bench strength.

With Jofra Archer coming in for Josh Tongue the rotation policy with their Test bowlers was confirmed. It will be a surprise if Archer plays here and Gus Atkinson doesn't.

Otherwise, England have largely resisted the temptation to experiment. That may be bad news for James Coles and Saqib Mahmood, who are yet to make an appearance in the series. By the same token it would be eyebrow-raising were Ben Duckett to replace Anuerin Donald in the opening slot.

Possible XI: Buttler, Donald, Brook, Banton, Cox, Jacks, J Overton, Dawson, Atkinson, Rashid, Baker

Sri Lanka have struggled with the bat in both games. A first-innings total of 145 was never likely to be enough in Cardiff while they fell 119 short chasing England's 254 in game one.

As stated previously, there are options they can turn to in terms of a change of personnel to change fortunes.

They tried to add batting depth by including Tharindu Ratnayake in place of Maheesh Theekshana. They may have to go further. Jainth Liyanage, a classy all-rounder, and top-order batter Pavan Rathnayake could come in.

Tharindu's spin and Liyanage's medium pace could be useful as they surely must recognise that this about trying to keep pace with England's hitters. Sure, they would lose bowling depth but those two mentioned plus the part-time spin on Charith Asalanka wouldn't leave them too short. Theekshana may have to play given Old Trafford's reputation with one of the pacers missing out.

Possible XI: Nissanka, Mishara, Lahiru, Pavan, Asalanka, Liyanage, Hasaranga, Tharindu, Wellalage, Theekshana, Chameera

England v Sri Lanka third T20 pitch report 

The average first-innings score at Old Trafford in T20 is 175.6 from the last 30 matches. The highest is 304 and lowest 75. The former was by England last summer against South Africa with Phil Salt hitting an unbeaten 141. The average second-innings score is 158 but there is a small bias for the chaser at 52%.

Old Trafford has a reputation for assisting spinners. There can be grip and turn although it's not evident in the spread of wickets with pacers claiming 56% of wickets. The difference is seen in economy with 8.23 the average rate for tweakers compared to 9.1 for pace.

Sri Lanka will hope to bat first. If not, the focus will be on how many England get. Perhaps the greatest threat to English dominance is the Manchester weather. The forecast is not too bad at all with rain clearing in time for the start. But cloud cover and moisture might just make batting a little trickier against the new ball. Prices on England runs for more than 210 and 220 are the go-to options.

England v Sri Lanka third T20 match prediction 

England should complete a whitewash here and the betting opportunities are all about finding the best way to back home dominance without relying on Sri Lanka to be competitive.

The first port of call is the overs 62.5 runs-bust in England's first six overs. With this bet we don't have to worry about whether England bat first or second, filtering out more Sri Lanka batting woe. England should go hard whatever the match situation.

Next best is the 6/52.20 that England win the match by hitting the most fours and sixes. It is self-evident at this stage that Sri Lanka don't have the power to match England so this hardly feels like a risk.

It's a better wager than the market on England to win and both teams to score. The 170 is not remotely tempting at 11/102.11. Sri Lanka's runs line, as an example, is likely to be low 160s.

England v Sri Lanka third T20 player tips 

A top-bat strategy is hit upon dependant on the state of the pitch. For flat, road-like tracks, for example, it is often best to swerve the market and favour your chosen player on a milestone market. On more bowler-friendly pitches, however, it is seen as less of a risk.

The rationale being that on a flat one a good score could be pipped by someone else. Extending the strategy to include mismatches is not a bad idea. Witness Jos Buttler's 44-ball 80 in game one.

Buttler is on the mind at his home ground, a venue where he was also trumped by Salt's brutal ton against the Saffers. Buttler hit 83 from 35 in that game. The 7/42.75 that Buttler scores 40 or more strips away enough jeopardy.

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