England soared to the top of the ICC's T20I rankings thanks to a 3-0 series victory over Sri Lanka and their next objective is to improve their ODI form.
Harry Brook's men beat India 2-1 in July's captivating 50-over series and they are hot favourites to win Tuesday's first ODI against the Lankans in Chester-le-Street.
England v Sri Lanka First ODI Tips Summary
Best Bet - Sri Lanka opening partnership - Over 21.5 @ 10/11
Alternative Bet - Harry Brook to be England top batter @ 4/1
Bet Builder - Harry Brook 1+ six, Pavan Rathnayake over 20.5 runs & Dushmantha Chameera 2+ wickets @ 9/2
England v Sri Lanka First ODI Prediction
Best Bet: Sri Lanka opening partnership - Over 21.5 @ 10/11
England were far too strong for Sri Lanka in this month's T20I series, but they had to work hard for January's 2-1 ODI win on the Teardrop Isle.
Sri Lanka won the opening match in Colombo before England roared back with five-wicket and 53-run victories.
Conditions will be very different at the end of the English summer, but Sri Lanka's openers should be backed to clear a modest runs line of 21.5.
They had first-wicket stands of 50, 16 and 48 in the three home ODIs against England.
And opener Pathum Nissanka scored 79 in Sri Lanka's most recent completed 50-over international, June's 41-run win over the West Indies in Jamaica.
The talented Nissanka also laid solid foundations for his side during the T20I series as Sri Lanka put on 20, 56 and 22 before losing a wicket in their three defeats.
Alternative Bet: Harry Brook to be England top batter @ 4/1
England's white-ball captain Harry Brook is finishing the summer in style and he looks a good bet to top-score for the hosts in Durham.
Brook was player of the series in the T20Is, racking up 170 runs from just 78 balls, and he produced a stunning innings in January's decisive third ODI in Colombo.
The Yorkshireman smashed an unbeaten 136 off 66 and should be looking forward to the series opener at Chester-le-Street.
Brook's only previous ODI at the Riverside Ground was a memorable one as he scored his maiden century in the format in a win over Australia in September 2024.
England vs Sri Lanka First ODI Bet Builder Tip
Harry Brook 1+ six
Pavan Rathnayake over 20.5 runs
Dushmantha Chameera 2+ wickets
Pays @ 9/2
Harry Brook hit nine sixes in his last ODI against Sri Lanka in January and the England captain struck 10 maximums in this month's T20I series.
Sri Lanka's Pavan Rathnayake has made a solid start to his ODI career, reaching 20 in four of his five innings, including a sparkling 121 against England in Colombo.
Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera is a potent white-ball threat for the Lankans. He claimed four wickets in June's win over the West Indies and took 3-50 in a 2021 ODI defeat to England in Durham.
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Key Match Stats
England have lost 17 of their 28 ODIs in the past two years
Four of the last five ODIs in Chester-le-Street were won by the team batting first
Harry Brook hit 11 fours and nine sixes in England's last ODI against Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka has reached 20 in each of his last 10 ODI innings
The Lankans lost 11 of their last 16 ODIs away from home
Dushmantha Chameera has taken 58 wickets in his last 40 ODIs
Tactics, Form and Team News
England are missing the injured Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell and Sam Curran so Tom Banton will partner Ben Duckett at the top of the order.
All-rounders Jamie Overton and Rehan Ahmed have been named in Tuesday's team but uncapped Sussex fast bowler Henry Crocombe will have to wait for his opportunity.
Predicted England XI: 1 Tom Banton, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Joe Root, 4 Harry Brook (c), 5 Jos Buttler (wk), 6 Will Jacks, 7 Rehan Ahmed, 8 Jamie Overton, 9 Gus Atkinson, 10 Jofra Archer, 11 Josh Tongue
Sri Lanka will assess the fitness of captain and wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis, who missed the T20I series due to a hamstring injury.
Charith Asalanka could deputise as skipper while all-rounders Dasun Shanaka and Dunith Wellalage and pacemen Dilshan Madushanka and Eshan Malinga may start the series on the bench.
Predicted Sri Lanka XI: 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kamil Mishara, 3 Kusal Mendis (c & wk), 4 Pavan Rathnayake, 5 Kamindu Mendis, 6 Charith Asalanka, 7 Janith Liyanage, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Maheesh Theekshana, 10 Dushmantha Chameera, 11 Asitha Fernando
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
