Sri Lanka and England are all set for a thrilling showdown as they face off in the third and final ODI of the series at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday, January 27. With the contest evenly poised at 1-1, the decider promises to be a high-intensity clash, with both sides eager to finish the series on a winning note.
Sri Lanka have looked solid in patches throughout the series, starting strongly with a 19-run win in the opening match, where their all-round effort put England under pressure. However, the visitors hit back impressively in the second ODI, led by a classy batting performance from Joe Root, which helped Harry Brook’s side level the series and regain momentum.
As the final match approaches, both teams will be keen to produce their best cricket when it matters most. Much will depend on how the batters handle the pressure, as a strong top-order performance could prove decisive in such a tight contest. With conditions in Colombo often testing both skill and patience, fans can expect a closely fought encounter where fine margins could decide the outcome.
SL vs ENG, 3rd ODI: Match Details
- Date and Time: January 27; 2:30 pm IST / 9:00 pm GMT/ 2:30 pm local
- Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
SL vs ENG, Head-to-Head Record in ODIs
Matches played: 81 | Sri Lanka won: 38 | England won: 39 | No result/Tied: 4
R. Premadasa Stadium Pitch Report
The pitch at the R. Premadasa Stadium is widely regarded as one of the most challenging and tactical surfaces in the subcontinent, often demanding smart cricket rather than just raw power. Traditionally known for being slow and low, this wicket tends to favour teams that are comfortable playing spin and adapting to variable bounce. Batters who are patient and willing to work the gaps usually find more success here than those relying purely on big hits.
As the match progresses, the surface is expected to offer noticeable grip and turn, particularly during the middle overs, bringing spinners firmly into the contest. This makes the phase between overs 10 to 40 especially crucial in 50-overs matches, where the game can often swing dramatically.
Squads
Sri Lanka: Charith Asalanka (c), Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Pathum Nissanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Eshan Malinga, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay
England: Harry Brook (c), Tom Banton (wk), Jos Buttler (wk), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Rehan Ahmed, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood
SL vs ENG, 3rd ODI: Today’s Match Prediction
Case 1:
- Sri Lanka wins the toss and bowls first
- England powerplay score: 50-60
- England total score: 240-250
Case 2:
- England wins the toss and bowls first
- Sri Lanka powerplay score: 40-50
- Sri Lanka total score: 230-240
Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest
Also READ: Joe Root sizzles in England’s series-levelling win over Sri Lanka in 2nd ODI
For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.
