- England have unassailable 2-0 lead in series
- In-play bets recommended at 1.84/5 on England bowling first
- Pallekele pitch may be used surface
- Nissanka and Buttler still underrated
- Malinga out for hosts, England could make changes
- For Betfair's latest cricket betting odds click here
Sri Lanka v England
Tuesday 3 February, 13.30
TV: Live on TNT
Sri Lanka v England third T20 team news
Sri Lanka have suffered a blow to their World Cup prospects with pacer Eshan Malinga a doubt with a dislocated shoulder. He is definitely out of the final match of the series.
The hosts are well-stocked with bowling resources. Dushmanth Chameera should be the first cab off the rank to replace him. Pramod Madushan is another option.
Whether they need a pacer is an interesting point. Previously it's been discussed on these pages whether they would be better off recognising their point of difference and packing their team with spin bowlers.
Maheesh theekshana, then, in a swap for Malinga, could make sense. Janith Liyanage could take new-ball duties if they wanted a seamer.
Possible SL XI: Nissanka, Mishara, Kusal, Asalanka, Dhananjaya, Liyanange, Shanaka, Hasaranga, Wellalage, Theekshana, Pathirana
England have won the series so it would make sense for them to test bench strength ahead of the World Cup. Pacers Josh Tongue and Luke Wood may both benefit from game time.
It wouldn't hugely upset their balance if they gave a rest to Jamie Overton and Jofra Archer. Rehan Ahmed getting overs instead of Adil Rashid or Liam Dawson wouldn't be a bad idea, either.
With Ben Duckett due back for the World Cup, Jacob Bethell could do with a score. At the moment he is delaying Harry Brook's entry to the crease and given his form it may require a reshuffle.
England possible XI: Salt, Buttler, Brook, Bethell, Curran, Jacks, Dawson/Rashid, Rehan, Wood, Tongue
Sri Lanka v England third T20 pitch report
The Pallekele surface doesn't look too bad at all for batting. We're looking at run rates because of the rain-affected nature of the first two matches so far and they hint at a pretty fair surface: 8.1, 8.33, 10.38 and 9.45.
Batters should really have got used to the track by now, as is often the case in a series which is hosted at the same venue. There's a caveat with that, though. They do need to be fresh strips. It is possible this could be a used surface. Keep eyes and ears out at the pitch report.
England's total match runs are over/unders 179.5. Going unders at 5/61.84 keeps on side any concerns about the stae of the track and a Sri Lanka struggle, which cannot be ruled out. No rain is forecast.
Sri Lanka v England third T20 match prediction
On the Betfair Exchange, Sri Lanka are 2.767/4 with England 1.558/15. That Sri Lanka price has taken a clip despite sucessive defeats in the series with the match odds market perhaps expecting a downturn from an England team looking ahead to the World Cup, for which they are the 5/16.00 joint third favourites on the Betfair Sportsbook.
The first thing that needs to happen to consider Sri Lanka value is for them to chase. They are much better as a team going after a target, trebling their win ratio since the last World Cup as opposed to when bowling second.
If the flip goes against them we will once again look for a mark of around 1.804/5 in-play on England. As we saw last time out this is very achievable with the fast Sri Lanka powerplay. They are loaded up front in their first three but there's little to concern England after that.
Sri Lanka v England third T20 player bets
We are still waiting on wins for Pathum Nissanka and Jos Buttler. Both passed up golden opportunities in game two with excellent starts. Buttler, in particular, was well on course for the win. Keeping faith with the pair costs 12/53.40 and 12/53.40 respectively. One of them may be boosted by Sportsbook closer to the off, however.
Back Jos Buttler top England bat
Back Pathum Nissanka top SL bat