MANCHESTER (Sporting Alert) — England captain Alastair Cook returns to the team for today’s third One Day International against Sri Lanka in Manchester at Old Trafford.
In fact, Cook’s return was a success, at least with the toss, after he called correctly and has decided to have a bowl first in the overcast and wet conditions.
It is also believed that given the rain lining up for later in the area, Cook also wanted to take first advantage of the condition and not get a huge target to chase, especially if D/L comes into the play.
Cook, who passed a fitness after a groin problem, comes in a replacement for the struggling Michael Carberry.
In the meantime, Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said he would have batted first anyway so it was a win-win situation.
Mathews cited that despite the weather, it’s still a good wicket to bat first on.
Watch Live Streaming of the Game on ESPN3 and WatchESPN App
England: Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Gary Ballance, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Ravi Bopara, Jos Buttler (wk), Chris Jordan, 9 James Tredwell James Anderson, Harry Gurney
Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews (capt), Ashan Priyanjan, Nuwan Kulasekara, Sachithra Senanayake, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga