Cook's side to begin chase at 9am after latter part of Wednesday washed out
Thursday 11 December 2014 11:47, UK
Bob Willis expects England to dispatch Sri Lanka’s spin attack and win the fifth ODI when it resumes at 9am on Thursday morning.
Rain prevented Alastair Cook’s side from launching their run chase in Pallekele on Wednesday after they dismissed Sri Lanka – who currently lead the seven-match series 3-1 – for 239 in 49 overs.
However, Willis believes England will reduce their arrears when play does resume with the hosts missing Rangana Herath and question marks over how his replacement, Sachithra Senanayake, will fare having had his action ratified by the ICC on Tuesday following a ban.
“England should be able to score at five runs an over and win the game,” said Willis. “Herath is not in the side through injury, Ajantha Mendis is not the handful he was when he burst on the scene, and Senanayake is not going to be as effective.”
Willis was less enthused by England’s bowling performance, though, especially in the latter overs as they allowed Thisara Perera to cart 27 off 17 balls to enhance Sri Lanka’s total.
“I thought the tactics against Perera were slightly one-eyed,” said the former fast bowler. “Peppering him with bouncers worked for a little while but he is a great striker of a cricket ball.
“I would have liked to see Ravi Bopara in the attack at some stage and I would have preferred Steven Finn to bowl at the end and not Chris Jordan, too.
“But that’s nit-picking and England should win.”
Matt Prior, meanwhile, thinks England will be boosted by the fifth ODI heading into a reserve day as it will allow them further time to plot their batting reply and, if the rain stays away, not chase a re-jigged total.
It’s all well and good having a T20 smash but you want the 50 overs.
"You don’t often in one-day cricket get the chance to have time to assess and come back fresh, so this is an advantage for England,” added the wicketkeeper.
“They will hopefully get the full 50 overs in which will be the right preparation for the World Cup – it’s all well and good having a T20 smash but you want the 50 overs.
"Chasing a target over 50 overs is a mentality you want to get used to as it is a different mindset to chasing a target over 20 overs.”
Watch England’s run chase from 8.45am on Thursday on Sky Sports 2 or follow our live blog.
