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England v Sri Lanka predictions and Twenty20 cricket betting tips

Sri Lanka may require batting heroics from Hasaranga

England openers Jason Roy (left) and Jos Buttler are in fine form
England openers Jason Roy (left) and Jos Buttler are in fine formCredit: Michael Steele-ICC

Free cricket tips, best bets and analysis for England v Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup on Monday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Cricket & Main Event, 2pm Monday

Best bets

Wanindu Hasaranga top Sri Lanka runscorer
1pt 10-1 Betfair, Hills, Paddy Power

England opening partnership over 24.5 runs
3pts 5-6 BoyleSports, Coral, Ladbrokes

Match preview

England stumbled through the early stages of their triumphant 2019 World Cup campaign, suffering a shock group-stage defeat to Sri Lanka at Headingley, but Eoin Morgan's men have started the T20 World Cup in ruthless mood.

The Lankans are 7-2 for a repeat of their 50-over World Cup upset against an England side who have blown away defending champions West Indies, Bangladesh and Australia in their first three Super 12 outings.

Saturday's clash with the Aussies was billed as a serious test of England's title credentials but another brilliant new-ball display reduced their Ashes rivals to 51-5.

Jos Buttler smashed 71 not out off 32 balls as England reached a victory target of 126 with 50 balls to spare, having won their first two games with 70 and 35 deliveries remaining.

Sri Lanka won all four of their pre-tournament games against Oman, Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea before beating Namibia, Ireland, Netherlands and Bangladesh again in their first four World Cup matches.

There is a clear limit to their T20 potential, however, and they were hammered 3-0 in England in June, losing by the same scoreline at home to South Africa in September, and they were well beaten by Australia in their second Super 12 game.

Saturday's four-wicket defeat to South Africa went down to the wire but England will fancy their chances of rocking the Lankan batting unit early on.

Morgan's men have taken ten wickets in the Powerplay overs of their first three matches and Sri Lanka's top runscorers in their last three T20s against England batted at numbers six, four and nine.

It may pay to go for a big-priced selection again in that market and ace spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who took a hat-trick against the Proteas last time out, could have a big impact with the bat.

Hasaranga walloped 71 off 47 balls after coming in at number five in the second over against Ireland and he showed his potential with the bat in successive ODI innings of 80 not out against West Indies and 74 against Bangladesh earlier this year.

He struck eight sixes in those innings, followed up with scores of 54, 26 and 20 in the ODIs in England, and looks a value bet to top-score in Sharjah.

England's runscoring has been dominated by their openers with Buttler top-scoring against the Windies and Australia and Jason Roy cracking 61 off 38 balls against Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka's first three Super 12 opponents have racked up opening stands of 40, 70 and 25 and England's top two look set for another strong start.

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