England target Super Series victory as action swings to the one-dayers
Captain Morgan must work out how to fit Bairstow into the team
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Your support makes all the difference.It may have passed you by but England are currently 10-2 up on Sri Lanka.
The first Super Series, the brain child of Andrew Strauss to keep excitement bubbling across all formats of a series, swings to the one-day element on Tuesday at Trent Bridge but with England having a different captain, and a much-changed team, it is hard to remember to keep the score ticking over from the Tests.
However, that is the point and it could get very exciting indeed if England were to lose all five ODIs (two points each) and then go into the solitary T20 (two points) needing a win to snatch a draw in the series. It would be ironic, indeed, if the first Super Series - spread out over six weeks, nine contests and three formats - ended in a draw. Some things in cricket never change.
Eoin Morgan resumes the leadership duties from Alastair Cook, off in the nets practising against left-arm quicks with Pakistan’s trio of mollydookers on the horizon, and his first task is working out how to get Jonny Bairstow into the team. The Test wicketkeeper was an unused sub during the South Africa series over the winter which England managed to lose 3-2 having been 2-0 up. With Jos Buttler hanging on to the limited-overs gloves, Bairstow who is in the form of his life with bat in hand, will play as a specialist batsman.
There's a bit more expectation on us as a side, and it's important to relish that expectation
Ben Stokes is missing due to a knee injury but Bairstow for the Durham man makes England light in the bowling department giving Morgan something to chew on, although Mo Ali’s all-round talents soften the blow.
Whoever plays, Morgan’s first wish is to climb the ODI ladder and overtake the visiting team in the process - should the weather permit - the last two days have been spent in the Trent Bridge indoor nets. “If you look at where we sit in the rankings, we're actually below Sri Lanka,” he said. “And that's a reflection of our performances over the last number of years. This is a key summer in that we're 12 months down the road [following the horrific 2015 World Cup], and we have built a lot of confidence.
“There's a bit more expectation on us as a side, and it's important to relish that expectation. We're still at the beginning of building for what we hope will be a successful campaign in the 2019 World Cup.”
Sri Lanka aim to continue preparations both for that event and the preceding Champions Trophy in England next summer. However, there biggest concern at thje moment is the illness to Shaminda Eranga who has an elevated heartbeat discovered just last week. Further tests are being carried out on the seamer, who would not have been allowed to play anyway as the ICC has suspended him over a suspect action.
England (possible): J Roy, A Hales, J Root, E Morgan (capt), J Buttler (wk), J Bairstow, M Ali, C Woakes, C Jordan, D Willey, S Finn.
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