Cricket World Cup 2019: Can England's Eoin Morgan repeat six-hitting form against Sri Lanka?

We break down the group match between England and Sri Lanka at Birmingham on Friday

Jonny Bairstow (England): The opener will have another opportunity score a hundred after narrowly missing out against Afghanistan. He is in very good form and the Sri Lanka bowlers must watch out. Clive Mason / Getty Images

Eoin Morgan (England): The captain will fancy going after Sri Lanka's bowlers following his humongous effort against Afghanistan when he hit a record number of sixes en route to a hundred. Clive Mason / Getty Images

Jofra Archer (England): In order for Sri Lanka's top order to thrive, they will need to survive the fast bowler's opening spell. The chances are he will take a wicket or two early. Jason Cairnduff / Reuters

Dimuth Karunaratne (Sri Lanka): The captain and opening batsman will need to continue his rich vein of form for Sri Lanka to have any chance of winning today. He batted brilliantly against Australia, so there is no doubt he has the class to continue performing. Paul Childs . Reuters

Kusal Perera (Sri Lanka): Sri Lanka's other opening batsman has done well in recent matches at the World Cup and will need to keep going, if nothing else to make up for the fragility in the middle-order. Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP Photo

Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka): The fast bowler has just returned after making two trips pertaining to the death of his mother-in-law, but he has enough experience and the strength of character to put the personal tragedy behind him during the match. Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP Photo

What is it?

2019 World Cup group stage match

Who is playing?

England v Sri Lanka

When is it?

Today, 1.30pm (UAE time) start

Where is it being played?

Headingley, Leeds

How to watch in UAE?

Tune in to OSN Sports Cricket HD or create an online account with Wavo for US$54 (a little less than Dh200). The account will provide customers access to two channels, OSN Cric Xtra 1 and OSN Cric Xtra 2.

What’s their head-to-head like?

Matches: 74

England won: 36

Sri Lanka won: 35

Tied: 1

No result: 2

Form guide (past five games):

England: WWWLW

Sri Lanka: LWLWL

What they said:

Moeen Ali, England all-rounder, on being part of an exciting team: "To play 100 ODI games for England is obviously a dream. It's just being part of the team, being part of the change. Looking back, if I was to retire I'd always be able to say I was part of that change, the whole mindset changing and the great cricket we've played."

Dimuth Karunaratne, Sri Lanka captain, on England's quality: "I think England have the best batting line-up against the spinners in the world. I think if you take the Asian countries, England are playing better than them. We need to think about that, check the ground, and decide what is the best combination for us for the England game."

Likely XIs:

England: Jonny Bairstow, James Vince, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood.

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Perera (wk), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Milinda Siriwardana, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Pradeep.

Summary:

This could be another one-sided match in what has been one of the most drab Cricket World Cups ever. England look so good from numbers one to 11, while Sri Lanka are a side that will hopefully look ready for the tournament in 2023. If England bat first, there should be plenty of runs on the board - assuming the pitch is flat. Or they will chase down whatever Sri Lanka post with minimum fuss.