Batting unpredictability sets up England-Sri Lanka clash

As the pushing and jostling for an entry into the knockout stage intensifies,England and Sri Lanka head into an immensely-crucial Group 1 Super 10 clash in the World Twenty20 2016 at the Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi on Saturday (March 26), with their unpredictable batting line-ups in focus.

England have shown signs of being a top-heavy side with Eoin Morgan, the skipper, constantly praising a line-up that can bat very deep. Against South Africa, their devastating skills was in full display as they chased down 226 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, but that they crumbled rather dramatically on a slower wicket in Delhi against a spin quartet unleashed by Afghanistan comes as a blot on their temperament.

Sri Lanka have played a game lesser but the issues in the middle-order is one they need to sort out at the earliest. Dinesh Chandimal spoke of having observed England's game against Afghanistan and having a few tricks up their sleeve for their opponents, but one would hope this involved straightening out their batting woes. Angelo Mathews will hope his players will be revitalised after a five-day-long break since their previous game and hit England hard on the low and slow Kotla track. The wicket did not offer too much spin but it was enough to rattle England's famed batting order against Afghanistan.

The start provided by Tillakaratne Dilshan will once again be key for Sri Lanka but a lot will also rest on how well the likes of Lahiru Thirimanne, Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Mathews and Milinda Siriwardana deal with England's disciplined bowling attack. For England, it will be about how they find middle ground between their need to play aggressively at the start and adapting to the conditions. The dew factor could play a big role in the captains' decision at the toss but, as recent history suggests, England will be better of chasing.

As it stands, West Indies lead the Group 1 table with two wins in two games, but the table could see dramatic changes at the end of the day, as four out of the five teams vying for the two vacant semifinal spot in action.

When: March 26, 2016, Super 10 Group 1 - 7:00 PM IST

Where: Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi

What to expect: Clear skies expected with minimum temperature of 20 degree celsius

Team News:

England: Since their narrow escape against Afghanistan, the talk from the England camp has been about their need to adapt. The top-order that orchestrated a sensational chase of 226 against South Africa and then crumbled against Afghanistan, continue to have their skipper Eoin Morgan's backing. Alex Hales, the aggressive opener who missed the previous fixture with a back injury, is said to be improving and could take his spot back from James Vince.

Sri Lanka: In the pre-match press conference, Dinesh Chandimal stated that Sri Lanka, who've had a five-day-long break since their last fixture, have a few surprises up their sleeve for England. Given England top-order's susceptibility to spin, Sri Lanka could be tempted to field three specialist spinners in Rangana Herath, Jeffrey Vandersay and Sachitra Senanayake, who is yet to get a game in the tournament.

Quotes:

"We've not performed at our best throughout the competition, which in a way is quite exciting because we know that's still to come. The really pleasing thing for me is we're finding ways of winning games of cricket." - Joe Root is upbeat despite England's topsy-turvy World T20 campaign.

"Here, compared to Wankhede, the pitches are a bit slow. I think that really helps us. We'll have to play well." - Dinesh Chandimal on the change of venue for their next fixture.

Did you know:

- England was the only team to beat Sri Lanka in their successful World T20 campaign in 2014.

-Since 2014, Ben Stokes' average of 10.37 is the second-worst average for anyone with at least 10 innings in the top seven.

- The last meeting between the two teams in World T20, saw the second and third highest partnerships being scored in all World T20s - 152 by Alex Hales and Eoin Morgan and 145 by Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan.

- The last time England faced Sri Lanka in India in an international match was in October 1989. That match was also held in New Delhi and England won it by five wickets.

- The cumulative percentage of singles, doubles and triples is the lowest in Delhi among all venues in the Super 10 - 40.83%.

Squads:

England: Eoin Morgan, Sam Billings, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Reece Topley, David Willey, Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler, Chris Jordan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Liam Plunkett.

Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milinda Siriwardana, Dasun Shanaka, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dushmantha Chameera, Thisara Perera, Sachithra Senanayake, Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeffrey Vandersay.