Sri Lanka and England are ready to clash in the third Test of the three-match series, which will begin from Friday in Colombo.
The visitors have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead with victories in Galle and Kandy by 211 and 57 runs margin. Therefore, the home side will go in to the contest in a desperate state of turning things around after two below-par performances.
In the batting department, the Islanders will be once again depending on veteran middle-order batsman Angelo Mathews to lead from the front, but in order to succeed, he will need some support from the other batsmen as well. In the bowling department, the onus will be once again on the spinners to do most of the damage.
On the other hand, England will go into the contest full of confidence after two impressive performances.
In the batting department, the team will be relying on captain Joe Root to once again lead from the front, whereas in the bowling department, the team management will be banking on the spin-trio to do most of the damage.
Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo will be used as the venue for the tie. There've been 41 Tests played at the venue till now, where the highest team score of 756-5 was registered by Sri Lanka in 2006. Highest individual score of 374 was registered by Mahela Jayawardene whereas the best bowling figures in an innings of 9-127 was registered by Sri Lanka's Rangana Herath.
Key players:
Angelo Mathews –Sri Lanka and England are ready to clash in the third Test of the three-match series, which will begin from Friday in Colombo.
The visitors have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead with victories in Galle and Kandy by 211 and 57 runs margin. Therefore, the home side will go in to the contest in a desperate state of turning things around after two below-par performances.
In the batting department, the Islanders will be once again depending on veteran middle-order batsman Angelo Mathews to lead from the front, but in order to succeed, he will need some support from the other batsmen as well. In the bowling department, the onus will be once again on the spinners to do most of the damage.
On the other hand, England will go into the contest full of confidence after two impressive performances.
In the batting department, the team will be relying on captain Joe Root to once again lead from the front, whereas in the bowling department, the team management will be banking on the spin-trio to do most of the damage.
Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo will be used as the venue for the tie. There've been 41 Tests played at the venue till now, where the highest team score of 756-5 was registered by Sri Lanka in 2006. Highest individual score of 374 was registered by Mahela Jayawardene whereas the best bowling figures in an innings of 9-127 was registered by Sri Lanka's Rangana Herath.
Key players:
Angelo Mathews – 9.5 CrFirst in the list of key players features Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews. The 31-year-old is having an amazing time ever since making his way back to the national side and is in prime form with the bat. The Colombo-born right-hander is Sri Lanka's highest run-getter in the series with 213 runs at an average of 53.25, which shows why he would be an ideal pick for your team. That's not it as Mathews, who is valued at 9.5 Cr, has an excellent record while playing at the venue where he averages 51.33 in 13 innings which included one hundred and three half-centuries.
Joe Root – 10.5 Cr
Second in the list of key players features England captain Joe Root. The right-hander scored a much-deserved century and helped the visitors in winning a memorable series in Sri Lanka. Valued at 10.5 Cr, Root showed in his previous innings that when he is on song, there are not many better players out there which makes him an ideal player to have in your lineup. Till now, Root has represented England in 76 Tests where he averages 50.82 with 6,455 runs – which included 15 centuries and 41 half-centuries. Interestingly, this will be the first time when Root will take part in a five-day contest at Sinhalese Sports Club.
Moeen Ali – 9.5 Cr
Last in the list features England's Moeen Ali. The 31-year-old was included as an all-rounder but has mainly contributed as a bowler. Till now, Ali has 14 wickets to his name – joint highest in the series alongside Dilruwan Perera – which shows he can be a valuable asset for your team. However, Ali, who is valued at 9.5 Cr, is going through a horrid time with the bat as he only managed to score 23 runs in four innings at an dismal average of just 5.75.
