England and Sri Lanka changed their lineups for the Rawalpindi one-day international, with England making two switches after their defeat to Pakistan and Sri Lanka bringing in Dunith Wellalage for Sachindu Colombage.
The match at Rawalpindi was due to start at 9am BST, and the loser would be bottom of the tri-series at the halfway stage with nul points, so the teams were already playing for more than the day’s result.
Josh Tongue and Liam Dawson came in for Sonny Baker and Adil Rashid, a notable move because England appeared to want a different shape after being shown up while chasing a big total. That change also took Rashid out of a side that has looked stronger when putting runs on the board than when asked to pursue them, after failing to overhaul a 300-plus target for the second time in three games.
Sri Lanka’s change was more specific. Wellalage replaced Colombage, while Avishka Fernando returned in the XI after his 39-ball 49 against England at Headingley in the 2019 World Cup, a reminder that one innings can linger long after the tour has moved on. England’s listed side included Banton, Duckett, Root, Brook, Cox, Curran, Jacks, Overton, Dawson, Atkinson and Tongue, while Sri Lanka’s lineup also featured Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Rathnayake, Arachchige, Liyanage, Shanaka, Malinga, Asitha Fernando and Madushanka.
The selection changes do not settle the larger question hanging over England, though. If the batters again leave the chasing too steep, the side will need more than a fresh spinner and a new quick to keep control of a tri-series that is already tightening around the team that slips here.
