Sri Lanka won the toss in Colombo and, just as they did two nights ago, chose to bat first. They already lead the three-match series 1-0, so captain Charith Asalanka saw no reason to fiddle. Same team, same plan, and a par score that he reckons will again hover around 270.
England had a little more to think about. Zak Crawley’s sore knee ruled him out, so Will Jacks returns, although not at the top of the order. Instead, Rehan Ahmed will wander up to open after his lively 27 in game one. Harry Brook, still looking slightly fed-up at losing another toss in muggy 30-plus heat, kept his message brief. “Keeping the stumps in play,” he said, a nod to how England hope to squeeze Sri Lanka’s middle overs with the ball.
Conditions could be awkward later. Square boundaries measure only 69 metres, the air is heavy, and a mid-afternoon shower is possible, though the locals don’t expect a wash-out. The surface looks drier than Thursday’s, which may bring the spinners in earlier. Sri Lanka have three of them, plus Asalanka’s own part-timers, so England’s chase—if it comes—might feel familiar.
As for Sri Lanka, Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara will again try to set the pace, with Kusal Mendis keeping wicket and Dhananjaya de Silva anchoring. Asalanka admitted on match-eve that 270 “felt about right” last time, and with the outfield quick he sees no reason to push that number much higher.
England’s reshuffled batting means Ben Duckett slides in beside Ahmed, then Joe Root, Jacob Bethell and Brook himself. Jos Buttler keeps the gloves, while Sam Curran and Jamie Overton handle most of the seam. Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid round things off on a ground where sideways spin often trumps pace.
Teams
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando.
England: Rehan Ahmed, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid.
Series situation: Sri Lanka 1-0 England, two to play.
