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England will take on Sri Lanka in the second ODI of the three-match series at Headingley in Leeds on September 24. The hosts head into the contest with a 1-0 lead after registering an emphatic 89-run victory in the opening game at Chester-le-Street.
England’s first ODI produced several encouraging performances. Harry Brook led from the front with 67 off 69 balls, while Joe Root contributed a composed 44. Will Jacks was the standout performer, scoring an unbeaten 46 before producing career-best ODI figures of 5/22 to bowl Sri Lanka out for 176.
With England having started the series strongly, Harry Brook could be tempted to retain the same combination for the second ODI. The official squad includes experienced names such as Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid, alongside younger options including Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker and Henry Crocombe.
Here is England’s predicted playing XI for the second ODI against Sri Lanka:
Tom Banton is expected to continue at the top of the order. The wicketkeeper-batter was part of England’s XI in the opening ODI and provides an attacking option during the powerplay.
Banton’s aggressive approach can put pressure on Sri Lanka’s new-ball bowlers and give England a quick start. With the hosts already leading the series, another opportunity at the top could help him build momentum.
Ben Duckett should partner Banton at the top. The left-hander is one of England’s most aggressive ODI batters and has the ability to manipulate the field with sweeps, cuts and inventive strokes.
His role will be particularly important if Sri Lanka’s seamers extract movement from the Headingley surface.
Joe Root is expected to remain at No. 3 after making 44 in the first ODI. The veteran batter provided stability after England lost early wickets and helped ensure the innings recovered.
Root’s ability to rotate the strike and build partnerships makes him an important component of England’s middle order. He will also be familiar with the conditions at Headingley.
Harry Brook should continue to lead England and bat at No. 4. He top-scored with 67 in the first ODI, anchoring England’s innings during a difficult middle phase.
Brook’s ability to shift gears makes him central to England’s batting strategy. As captain, he will also want his side to maintain the momentum gained from the opening victory.
Jos Buttler is likely to retain the wicketkeeping gloves and occupy the No. 5 position. The experienced white-ball batter gives England significant firepower in the middle and lower middle order.
Buttler can play the role of an accelerator if England have wickets in hand during the final 15 overs. His experience will also be valuable if Sri Lanka put pressure on the top order.
Will Jacks is arguably the player carrying the most momentum into the second ODI. After scoring an unbeaten 46 in the first match, he produced a sensational 5/22 with his off-spin.
His new role as a middle-order all-rounder gives England considerable flexibility. Brook can use him according to the match situation, either as a batter who can accelerate or as a genuine bowling option.
Rehan Ahmed should retain his place as an all-round spin option. The leg-spinner was introduced during Sri Lanka’s innings in the first ODI and gives England another wicket-taking option in the middle overs.
With Jacks also capable of bowling significant spells, England have plenty of flexibility in managing their spin resources.
Jamie Overton is expected to continue as the pace-bowling all-rounder. He made an important contribution with the ball in the first ODI, claiming 2/21.
His pace and ability to hit the deck make him useful in English conditions. Overton also adds lower-order batting depth to an already versatile lineup.
Gus Atkinson should spearhead the pace attack alongside Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue. His ability to bowl with pace and attack the stumps makes him a key option during both the powerplay and middle overs.
Atkinson’s role could become particularly important if Headingley offers assistance to seamers.
Jofra Archer is expected to continue as one of England’s principal fast bowlers. His pace gives Brook a genuine strike-bowling option capable of troubling Sri Lanka’s top order.
Archer’s ability to generate bounce and challenge batters with high pace could make him a major factor at Headingley.
Josh Tongue could complete the XI after featuring in the opening match. The tall seamer offers a different angle to Archer and Atkinson and can extract bounce from a surface such as Headingley.
His role will be to maintain pressure from the other end while the likes of Archer search for breakthroughs.
Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Will Jacks, Rehan Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue
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