England vs. Sri Lanka prediction, lineups, pitch report for 1st T20 as Harry Brook’s side chase more dominance

England vs. Sri Lanka prediction, lineups, pitch report for 1st T20 as Harry Brook's side chase more dominance originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

There won't be much time for England to catch their breath before Tuesday's opener at the Utilita Bowl, and that is rather the point this September.

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A 3-0 sweep of Pakistan in the Tests has barely had time to sink in before Harry Brook's side switch codes again, and they do so as clear favourites, buoyed further by a 4-0 demolition of world champions India back in July. They even have Kevin Pietersen on board as a mentor.

On the other side, Sri Lanka have not had the smoothest build-up. They lost both their warm-up fixtures against an England Lions side. And the head-to-head against England isn't great either with Sri Lanka having lost 14 of the 18 T20Is between the two sides.

Coming back to the day, Aneurin Donald gets his first England cap in place of the injured Phil Salt, walking in on the back of 489 runs and a tournament-high 37 sixes in this summer's Blast.

He partners Jos Buttler at the top, while Jofra Archer is rested after three Tests on the bounce.

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Adil Rashid looms as the visitors' biggest concern, having taken 17 wickets against Sri Lanka at an economy of just 5.48, while Charith Asalanka leads a side still searching for a way past England's white-ball machine

Get ball-by-ball commentary | Live scorecard for England vs. Sri Lanka

England vs. Sri Lanka Prediction: Who Will Win?

Momentum tends to matter in short-form cricket, and right now it is with the hosts. England have won five on the bounce, whereas Sri Lanka have lost 10 of their 15 completed T20Is this year, a gulf that no amount of team talks can paper over in a single evening.

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Brook is in serious form in this format after having struck 229 runs across his last four T20I innings at an average of 114.50. Conditions at the Utilita Bowl look set to reward exactly that kind of form.

Sri Lanka's pace spearhead Dushmantha Chameera, meanwhile, still looks some way off his best after a groin issue, having been taken for 34 runs in barely an over during a warm-up game in Chelmsford.

Add in Jordan Cox returning to the side for his first T20I since October, and England look well placed to make home advantage tell from the very first ball.

Cricket News Prediction: England to win

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England vs. Sri Lanka: Team news and starting XIs

Here's how both sides will line up in this game:

England lineup for Sri Lanka

Aneurin Donald, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook (captain), Tom Banton, Jordan Cox, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Josh Tongue, Sonny Baker, Adil Rashid

Sri Lanka predicted lineup for England

C Asalanka (C), Pathum Nissanka, PHKD Mendis, Kamil Mishara, W Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, M Theekshana, J Liyanage, D Shanaka, D Madushanka, Eshan Malinga

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England vs. Sri Lanka pitch report: Utilita Bowl, Southampton

The pitch has been a belter for batting lately.

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