As part of their final preparations for the World Cup, Sri Lanka are touring Scotland for two ODIs, the first of which will be played at the Grange Cricket Club. The wicket should be good for batting but the bowlers will also get some help, with the seamers coming into play in the first innings.
Both Scotland and Sri Lanka are struggling in the format, with the visitors having lost their last eight One Day matches on the trot. The hosts too have not fared well, having lost three of their last four games. However, they will have the home advantage in their favour, and the fact that they have won five of the last seven games here should give them confidence. One of those wins came against England last year in June, which should motivate them to do well. However, despite their weaknesses, Sri Lanka are still a stronger unit and have experienced campaigners, which means they walk into the game as favourites.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: Kusal Perera (9 credits)
The Sri Lankan has played 88 ODIs and has scored 2283 runs at an average of just below 30. The 28-year old will be expected to take advantage of a relatively weaker bowling attack and be the anchor for his team. He is more experienced than his counterpart too, which sees him edge ahead in the Dream11 team.
Batsman: Calum MacLeod (10 credits)
The batter scored an unbeaten 140 against England last year, which helped his side put up
As part of their final preparations for the World Cup, Sri Lanka are touring Scotland for two ODIs, the first of which will be played at the Grange Cricket Club. The wicket should be good for batting but the bowlers will also get some help, with the seamers coming into play in the first innings.
Both Scotland and Sri Lanka are struggling in the format, with the visitors having lost their last eight One Day matches on the trot. The hosts too have not fared well, having lost three of their last four games. However, they will have the home advantage in their favour, and the fact that they have won five of the last seven games here should give them confidence. One of those wins came against England last year in June, which should motivate them to do well. However, despite their weaknesses, Sri Lanka are still a stronger unit and have experienced campaigners, which means they walk into the game as favourites.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: Kusal Perera (9 credits)
The Sri Lankan has played 88 ODIs and has scored 2283 runs at an average of just below 30. The 28-year old will be expected to take advantage of a relatively weaker bowling attack and be the anchor for his team. He is more experienced than his counterpart too, which sees him edge ahead in the Dream11 team.
Batsman: Calum MacLeod (10 credits)
The batter scored an unbeaten 140 against England last year, which helped his side put up a massive total of 371 on the board. It was the same game that the Scottish side won, and the team will be relying on his heroics once again. He is the most experienced campaigner in this batting side with an average of 63 at this ground. He has also smashed four hundreds here, which ensures he is a must-pick.
All-rounder: Thisara Perera (9.5 credits)
Perera was one of the most underrated performers in 2018, scoring 415 runs at an average of 35, but more importantly with a strike rate of 115.59. His bowling too got his accolades, with his 25 wickets coming against strong opponents. He ended the year with a bowling average of 20.72, and will hold the aces for the team in the middle order with the bat and also with the ball.
Bowler: Lasith Malinga (9.5 credits)
There is hardly a substitute for experience in cricket, and Malinga is one of the most experienced players going around. He is capable of deceiving even the most skilled batters, and might find the going easy against a brittle batting unit. He has a five-wicket haul at this ground and is coming off a pretty successful IPL as well, and his team would want him to land some early blows upfront.
Captain: Thisara Perera
Vice-captain: Lasith Malinga
Predicted Playing XI:
Scotland: Matthew Cross (wk), Kyle Coetzer (c), Calum MacLeod, Michael Jones, George Munsey, Craig Wallace, Tom Sole, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt, Alasdair Evans, Bradley Wheal
Sri Lanka: Avishka Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Perera (wk), Thisara Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal
