Sri Lanka v England first ODI Tips: Dreadful England in trouble again

• Sri Lanka dominant at home

• Trial by spin for England
• RPS should be low-scoring
• Kusal and Hasaranga top-rated
• Root has little to beat

Sri lanka v England
Thursday 22 January, 09.00
TV: Live on TNT

Sri Lanka v England first ODI team news

Sri Lanka named their squad a day before the start of the series. There were few surprises and more clues as to how this three-game series may pan out. There are four spin-bowling all-rounders and three specialist spinners.

It could be that, bar the new-ball and death spurts, Sri Lanka bowl exclusive spin. Don't be surprised if about 40 overs of tweak are sent down. Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana should lead the way. A recall for Dhananjaya de Silva is the big indicator that Sri Lanka will try to bat as deep as possible and bowl as much spin as possible.

Possible SL XI: Nissanka, Mishara, Kusal, Asalanka, Dhananjaya, Liyanage, Hasaranga, Wellalage, Theekshana, Asitha, Madushan

England have switched format but the sense of crisis has followed them. How much longer Harry Brook retains the captaincy doesn't depend upon this series but the shambolic effort in ODI against New Zealand and his late-night drinking exploits mean he could be approaching the end of his tenure. Another loss and subsequent poor show in the T20 World Cup may mean England look again.

It's a surprise to see six of the top seven having been involved in the Ashes. Zak Crawley has now been given a chance to extend his international career with a different-coloured ball. rehan Ahmed is left out again.

England XI: Crawley, Duckett, Root, Brook, Bethell, Buttler, S Curran, Jacks, J Overton, Dawson, Rashid, L Wood

Sri Lanka v England first ODI pitch report

This is only the third day game at the RPS in the last five years but 12-month form is clear about what to expect regardless. It should be a slow, low wicket which favours spin bowlers. In the last 12 months there have been four games with first-innings scores of 248, 244, 281 and 214. All were defended with the chaser bowled out

Of the 40 wickets to fall in those second innings, 30 went to spin bowlers. An attritional affair should be expected and the hosts will be well aware that setting their stall out for 240-260 will be the way to go. Going under England's total runs at 264.5 for the match is an obvious ploy at 10/111.91 with Sportsbook. For runs lines on the Exchange anything in the 260s is going to be toppy in first innings.

Sri Lanka v England first ODI match prediction

Sri Lanka are outsiders at 2.226/5 and that has to be considered a wrong price given the form of the two sides and who has home advantage.

From the last 16 matches on their own soil Sri Lanka have won 13. They have enjoyed 2-0 series wins over India, Australia and New Zealand during that sequence. It would be fair to reckon that each of those three teams have more efficiency than England in this format.

The record of the visitors is poor. They have lost six of their last ten so there is no justification for an odds-on wager. They are expected to find it a real challenge to adapt quickly to spinning conditions.

In an ideal world Sri Lanka would bat first and defend with ease. But for the here and now the match odds market is, simply, completely the wrong way round.

Sri Lanka v England first ODI player bets

Kusal and Hasaranga are top-rated on the win percentages for batsman and bowler respectively. Kusal is returning at 35% and Hasaranga at 31%. It would be a major surprises if at least one didn't win at some stage. Kusal is 4/15.00 and Hasaranga 3/14.00. An easier way to play Hasaranga is overs on the performance line at 43.5 (1pt per run, 10 per catch, 20 per wicket). He has an average make-up of 58 and has beaten the line in six of his last ten. 

For England, Joe Root has a win rate at 33% for top bat so Sportsbook's 10/34.33 that he top scores is a perfectly acceptable wager. He is by far and away England's best player of spin. 

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