England vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20 Prediction: 11/4 Harry Brook To Inspire Hosts To Series Victory

England are 2/11 cricket betting favourites over Sri Lanka in the second T20 of their three-match series.

The hosts thumped the tourists in the opening match of the series at Southampton’s Utilita Bowl on Tuesday behind a blistering century from Harry Brook. An onslaught from Brook and Jos Buttler took England to 254 from their 20 overs.

In reply, Sri Lanka fell to 74-6 and then 97-8 before some late hitting got them to 135 all out off 19 overs. It was an utter mismatch – Sri Lanka’s bowling was dispatched to all parts by England, and the visitors were pretty sloppy in the field.

Sri Lanka have won one of their last 10 T20 series. England won all three matches when the countries met in Sri Lanka in January/February, and the Sri Lankan batting lineup was held to less than 140 in two of the three matches.

These teams are miles apart. England are second in the rankings. It’s surprising Sri Lanka are as high as ninth. England have three batters in the top nine of the T20I rankings. Sri Lanka only have two in the top 20.

England v Sri Lanka Best Bets

• Harry Brook England top scorer (11/4)
• Harry Brook to score a 50 (9/4)
• Wanindu Hasaranga Sri Lanka top bowler (5/2)
• Kamil Mishara under 20.5 runs (17/20)

Brook has 288 from 129 since he was last dismissed in an international T20. A blistering 114 off 49 balls on Tuesday featured a catalogue of outrageous shots, following a 79* and a 95* in his previous two knocks. In the purplest of patches, we are happy to take Brook to top score at the current sports betting price.

Wanindu Hasaranga was the only Sri Lankan to get a modicum of control in the series opener. Hasaranga’s economy of 8.50 was pretty impressive in the context of the innings. England won’t be happy to just play out his overs in Cardiff, so don’t be surprised if he finds himself among the wickets.

Dismissed for 10 off 14 balls on Tuesday, Kamil Mishara could face an even sterner matchup if Archer plays on Thrusday. Mishara has only scored more than 10 once in his last five innings.

Only One Result

As the odds indicate, anything other than an England win would be a massive shock. The only threat to England winning this series on Thursday is September weather in Cardiff, but it looks clear enough to get a game in.

If England bat first, another 200+ total is seemingly inevitable. Sri Lanka’s batting in their last four matches against England doesn’t suggest they can post a competitive score. It won’t get any easier for the tourists with Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson expected to come into the XI.

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