England vs Sri Lanka: Bairstow to shine at Headingley
England star Jonny Bairstow

England vs Sri Lanka: Bairstow to shine at Headingley

Start time: 1030, 21/06/2019

Venue: Headingley

TV: Sky Sports

England can continue their march towards the Cricket World Cup semi-finals by brushing aside a dispirited Sri Lanka outfit at Headingley.

The Three Lions have rattled off four wins in five matches, whereas their opponents have only beaten Afghanistan from three completed fixtures.

Jonny Bairstow has been solid for the hosts, hitting 218 runs so far after a fine 90 earlier this week.

It would be fitting for the Yorkshireman to top score for his side in Leeds and 11/4 for that to happen is our first England vs Sri Lanka prediction.

A Look At England’s Betting Odds

Eoin Morgan was the stand-out performer as England put Afghanistan to the sword at Old Trafford on Tuesday, launching 17 sixes in a ferocious 148 from a total of 397 for six.

Joe Root also impressed again with a steady 88, taking his tournament tally to 367, and he is another hoping to shine on home turf.

“I’m very much looking forward to getting up to Leeds, seeing the new stand there full,” said the Test captain.

“It should be a great spectacle for the city, for the county and to get the chance to play in a World Cup there is personally very special.

“Hopefully, we can continue the form we are in and get another win.”

In the bowling department, Chris Woakes has been a bit quiet so far, taking just four wickets after drawing a blank in Manchester.

However, Headingley was a happy hunting ground for him last month when claiming 5-54 versus Pakistan.

Looking at the England vs Sri Lanka odds, we like 4/1 for the Warwickshire ace to be his side’s top bowler here.

A Look At Sri Lanka’s Betting Odds

Sri Lanka returned from a couple of wash-outs to lose by 87 runs against Australia at The Oval last Saturday.

The Crusaders enjoyed a century opening partnership, but then struggled to cope with the pace of Mitchell Starc as they slipped to 247 all out.

Such was the dismay among the players in the dressing room, that the 1996 champions refused to attend any post-match press conferences.

Everything seems to hinge on Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Perera, who have scored 179 and 159 runs respectively in this tournament.

Perera got 78 of his against Bangladesh, whereas Karunaratne rose to the occasion versus New Zealand and Australia, so he gets the nod at 11/4 to top score here in our England vs Sri Lanka betting tips.

Cricket World Cup betting

X