Under-19 World Cup 2020 Plate final, England vs Sri Lanka: Preview, prediction, likely XIs

England and Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe and Scotland respectively to qualify for the Plate final – the battle for the ninth place – in the 2020 Under-19 World Cup, at Benoni. As is often the case with top sides that do not qualify for the top eight, both England and Sri Lanka have faltered against the big sides before breezing past the weaker oppositions.

To be fair, however, England could have qualified as well, had Mackenzie Harvey not played a blinder to see Australia to a last-ball win against them. Both teams demolished Nigeria but lost to West Indies, and Australia went through. England then beat Japan and Zimbabwe with some ease to make it to the Plate final.

Sri Lanka’s batting, on the other hand, has a more rounded look to it. While Ravindu Rasantha has been the best, Nipun Perera, Ahan Wickramasinghe, and Sonal Dinusha have all delivered at some point. And while left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka has been the leading wicket-taker, Sudeera Thilakaratne, and Ashian Daniel have all been difficult to score off.

Just like England, Sri Lanka, too, were knocked out following a close defeat against New Zealand. Both sides lost to India but beat Japan, which meant that New Zealand went through. Wins against Nigeria and Scotland then saw Sri Lanka through.

With history strongly in their favour, Sri Lanka are favourites in this match.

Head to head

Sri Lanka Under-19 hold a significant (29-14) lead including 4-1 in the World Cup.

Key players

Lewis Goldsworthy (England): With an economy rate of 2.23 an over, Goldsworthy has been among the most accurate bowlers of the tournament, smothering even the major sides. He will be a threat for Sri Lanka.

Ravindu Rasantha (Sri Lanka): Rasitha’s hundred – one of only 5 in the tournament – might have came against Japan, but he has never been dismissed below 20 in this edition. He will have to play a key role here.

Likely XIs

England: Dan Mousley, Sam Young, Jordan Cox (wk), Jack Haynes, George Hill, Joey Evison, Lewis Goldsworthy, George Balderson (c), Scott Currie, Blake Cullen, Hamidullah Qadri.

Sri Lanka: Navod Paranavithana, Kamil Mishara (wk), Ravindu Rasantha, Nipun Perera (c), Ahan Wickramasinghe, Chamindu Wijesinghe, Sonal Dinusha, Kavindu Nadeeshan, Sudeera Thilakaratne, Ashian Daniel, Dilshan Madushanka.

Prediction

Sri Lanka to win.