Published on: Sep 26, 2026 2:43 pm IST | Updated on: Sep 25, 2026 12:16 pm IST
Sri Lanka made a remarkable comeback in the second ODI of the three-match series against England by securing a much-needed 16-run victory at Headingley. The two teams now head into the decider at the iconic Kennington Oval in London on Sunday, September 27. It was a majestic knock from Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis, 121 off 100, that helped Sri Lanka scale a massive 321 on the board, which proved to be enough as England fell 16 runs short. With the series nicely poised now, courtesy of Sri Lanka’s first and only win on the trip so far, expect the decider to be a massive one. In this post, we have shared free expert tips for the 3rd ODI, ENG vs SL, at Kennington Oval, London.
Sri Lanka made a massive statement with a win in the last game. However, their margin of win suggests that England came close to the target and were on the drivers’ seat at multiple stages of the chase. Expect the hosts to rectify their mistakes from the last game and pose a different challenge against Kusal Mendis and his men. Therefore, the win probability meter might lean in favor of the hosts. Let’s continue with the post and find out the best cricket tips for the 3rd ODI, ENG vs SL, at Kennington Oval, London.
ENG: 76% win chance SL: 24% win chance
The left-hand opening batter of England has scored 99 runs so far across two innings with 67 being his best score. Ben will be responsible for providing a solid start to the hosts.
Fresh off a match-winning ton in the last game, Mendis has been brilliant so far in the series accumulating 163 runs across two innings. He will be a crucial bet in this game as well.
With scores of 46 and 52 in the two innings so far, Will Jacks has been performing well. Even with the ball, he took a 5-fer in the opening game to earn the much-deserved player of the match award. He will be a vital cog with both bat and ball.
Dunith picked up 3 wickets in the last game and has scored 61 runs across two innings so far, with 45 being his best score. The youngster has been contributing in both facets of the game, making him a crucial bet in this game.
Check out our prediction for the ENG vs SL 3rd ODI at Kennington Oval, London.
The three‑match ODI series between England and Sri Lanka has reached its climax, with the decider set to be played at the Kennington Oval, London on Sunday, September 27. Sri Lanka’s spirited 16‑run victory at Headingley kept the contest alive, but the margin of win highlighted how close England came to chasing down the target and how often they were in control of the game.
That narrow defeat is unlikely to dent England’s confidence. Skipper Harry Brook has been in fine form, while Joe Root remains the backbone of the batting lineup. The presence of Ben Duckett, Tom Banton, and Will Jacks adds depth and versatility, ensuring England can adapt to different match situations. On the bowling front, Jofra Archer’s pace and Josh Tongue’s accuracy provide the cutting edge needed to dismantle opposition batting.
With home advantage, squad depth, and proven match‑winners across departments, England still look the stronger side heading into the decider. Expect them to rectify the mistakes from Headingley and pose a sterner challenge to Kusal Mendis and his men, as they aim to underline their dominance and clinch the series.
Sri Lanka’s resurgence in the second ODI against England was powered by a majestic knock from skipper Kusal Mendis, whose 121 off 100 balls set the tone for a commanding total of 321. That innings not only showcased his class but also provided the belief that Sri Lanka can topple stronger opponents when their key players rise to the occasion.
The bowling unit backed up the batting effort, with Dunith Wellalage delivering a crucial three‑wicket haul to derail England’s chase. Alongside him, the likes of Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, and Sachindu Colombage will be vital in maintaining the pressure and ensuring balance across departments.
England may have fallen just 16 runs short, but the narrow margin highlights how competitive Sri Lanka were throughout the contest. To repeat the magic, the team must combine disciplined bowling with fearless batting, ensuring partnerships are built around their captain’s leadership.
With confidence restored and momentum on their side, Sri Lanka now face the challenge of consistency. If their core players deliver once again, they could well script another memorable performance and tilt the series in their favor. Let’s move ahead and check the cricket tips.
Matches Played: 81 SL won: 38 ENG won: 39 No Result: 4 Tied: 0 RECENT form SRI LANKA: L W NR AB W RECENT form ENGLAND: W L W W L
Sri Lanka secured their 38th win over England in ODIs after a win in the last game at Headingley. England has just one extra win in this battle, as they have secured 39 wins out of the 81 contests played between the two sides.
How will the two teams, i.e., England and Sri Lanka, fare in the 3rd ODI? Let’s take a look.
Kamindu Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (C), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Janith Liyanage/Dasun Shanaka, Sachindu Colombage, Dunith Wellalage, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga
Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Will Jacks, Tom Banton, Rehan Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer/Sonny Baker, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue
Here’s the pitch and weather report for the 3rd ODI match between England and Sri Lanka at Kennington Oval, London:
With partly cloudy skies and mild swing on offer in the morning, captains may lean towards bowling first to exploit early seam movement. However, The Oval’s batting‑friendly surface tends to ease out as the day progresses, making a total of 280–300 highly competitive. England’s depth favors setting a target, while Sri Lanka might prefer chasing under steady afternoon conditions.
The 3rd ODI match of the Sri Lanka tour of England will be live-streamed on the Sony LIV and FANCODE app. TV streaming for this series will be available on Sony Sports Channels.
England got a wake-up call with a defeat in the last game. They should now regroup to get things right in the final ODI against Sri Lanka. The visitors, meanwhile, will look to carry on with the momentum they found after securing a win in the previous game. It is going to be a good and competitive game, with the hosts, England, entering with an upper hand. Therefore, as per our prediction, the hosts, England, are expected to win the ENG vs SL 3rd ODI match at Kennington Oval, London.
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