England vs Sri Lanka Third ODI Predictions: 9/4 For Legend To Top Scorer With The Bat

England are clear cricket betting favourites for the final match of the international summer at the Oval on Sunday.

Behind a blistering century from Kusal Mendis and some excellent death bowling, Sri Lanka won Thursday’s match at Headingley to ensure the third match is a decider. It was the first win for Sri Lanka on this six-match, white-ball tour.

England looked to be cruising to their chase of 322 on a flat pitch. Ben Duckett and Tom Banton cashed in from some dire powerplay bowling by the tourists, and Joe Root ticked things over in trademark fashion.

Wickets fell and Sri Lanka wrestled their way back into it, but the hosts remained in a strong position when Jos Buttler came in and hit a string of boundaries.

With Buttler flying along, England were on pace to win at a canter. A hamstring injury forced the all-time great to retire hurt, though, and England’s chase ground to a halt despite the best efforts of Will Jacks.

Best Bets

• Joe Root England Top Scorer (9/4)
• Jamie Overton England Top Bowler (5/1)

Sachindu Colombage has got Root twice in 10 balls. No one else has been able to trouble England’s Test captain in ODIs this year. We feel comfortable backing Root to overcome his issues with Colombage at the Oval on Sunday.

Root averages 64.52 against Sri Lanka in ODIs and has six 50+ scores in 13 ODI innings at the Oval.

Jamie Overton was mightily unlucky to end up wicketless on Thursday. He had two catches dropped, he had Kusal Mednis caught behind on 99 before it was overturned by DRS, and he was pinpoint accurate at the death.

His cross-seam deliveries have tricky for the Sri Lankans and he’s looked well-suited to the Liam Plunkett role in the middle overs. We love the value at 5/1.

Potential Changes

Buttler is expected to be replaced by Jordan Cox, fresh off an impressive Test series against Pakistan, behind the stumps.

Jofra Archer leaked runs on Thursday and might get the day off for the final match of the series. Sonny Baker is the most likely to fill in if Archer is left out, and there will inevitably be calls for Liam Dawson to be brought in to replace Rehan Ahmed.

England’s ODI team doesn’t look properly balanced at the moment, but there’s no answer to that dilemma in the squad while Sam Curran is sidelined through injury.

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*