SL vs ENG: Adil Rashid–Maheesh Theekshana battle on cards amid Kandy rain threat

Dark clouds person loomed implicit Kandy this week, with rainfall sweeping crossed the Hanthana upland scope and keeping the covers connected astatine the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium connected Saturday.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!More showers are expected connected Sunday, threatening to intrude connected this T20 World Cup Super 8 contention betwixt Sri Lanka and England. If the upwind relents, a duel of rotation could specify the clash.England instrumentality to acquainted territory aft brushing speech Sri Lanka 3-0 successful a T20I bid present earlier this month. That occurrence provides reassurance, particularly aft a stuttering group-stage run successful which they edged Nepal by 4 runs, mislaid to West Indies by 30, past bushed Scotland by 5 wickets and Italy by 24 runs.

England skipper Harry Brook conceded that his squad were “too cautious with the bat” successful the radical stage. “We’ve been excessively cautious with the bat. We tin astir apt beryllium a spot much brave successful definite situations and person much religion successful the guys down america to beryllium capable to enactment up a decent score,” helium said, adding, “We astir apt underestimated a fewer of the teams and they enactment up a truly bully fight. Thankfully, we are successful the Super 8s.”Sri Lanka’s travel has followed a akin arc of committedness and pause.

Comfortable wins implicit Ireland and Oman acceptable the code and a pursuit of 182 against Australia astatine this venue showcased their credentials. Yet, a stumble against Zimbabwe successful Colombo has stalled their momentum.

For the co-hosts, overmuch rests connected opener Pathum Nissanka, who struck an unbeaten 52-ball period against Australia. With 199 runs successful the radical stage, helium sits among the starring scorers. Brook reckoned Nissanka’s signifier volition beryllium a menace and said England person plans to region him early. Kusal Mendis, with 3 half-centuries successful 4 innings, adds gravitas astatine the apical of the order.However, the lack of pacer Matheesha Pathirana, ruled retired for the remainder of the competition, has dented their bowling resources. Maheesh Theekshana’s six wickets, meanwhile, underline his importance.With the ball, legspinner

Adil Rashid

remains captious to England’s plans, supported by Jofra Archer’s pace. Rashid has six wickets successful the tournament, including 2/16 against West Indies, highlighting his menace connected surfaces that grip. Asked if Jacob Bethell is acceptable to bowl, Brook said: “Not definite yet, he’s got a decent chopped successful his finger. If there’s immoderate mode we tin get astir that, past we’d vessel him.”