International Cricket: England vs. Sri Lanka 2nd ODI Cricket Prediction

Sri Lanka’s tour of England continues with the second ODI match being played at The Oval tomorrow. The match will start on Thursday July 1^st, 2021 at 8:00am EST. England currently lead the 3-match series 1-0 against the depleted Sri Lankan side after winning the first encounter by 5 wickets in just under 35 overs. A different pitch may inspire a better outcome for the Sri Lankans, they will be hoping for just that. 

Sri Lanka’s captain, Kusal Perera, did exactly what was asked of him by leading from the front with the bat with a fluent knock of 73 and was assisted brilliantly by Wanindu Hasaranga with 54. However, there were no other valuable contributions from their peers, resulting in them making just 185 in 42.3 overs, a score that they knew was far below par. A team, buoyed by off-field challenges, still found life in their bowling when they restricted their opponents to 80-4 at one point but alas, they were unable to turn the match completely around in their favor. Sri Lanka must find some fight within if they are to tie this series tomorrow. 
 
Joe Root, England’s number 3 batsman, played with such ease and poise that was needed to take his side over the line after some early trouble. Jonny Bairstow fired at the top with a blistering 43 off 21 balls with 6 fours and 1 six while Moeen Ali chipped in with 28 to help steer the ship in favor of England. The talented all-rounder, Moeen, also took a wicket on the end of the wicket but Chris Woakes along David Willey with 4 and 3 wickets respectively were the pick of the bowlers accompanied by 2 well executed run outs by Sam Billings. England’s all-round performance in all 3 departments is a model of consistency,  Can they produce that once again tomorrow or will they slip? 
 
Sri Lanka will know they have a ton of work to do if they are to change the tide of this series but England will win tomorrow’s game comprehensively and take the series win. They are simply a better team as a unit and while Sri Lanka may have an individual performance here and there, you can expect England to run away with this.