England's Predicted XI vs Sri Lanka, Cricket World Cup 2023: Will Jonny Bairstow Retain His Place?

The M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru is all set for a terrific contest, as England take on Sri Lanka in match no. 25 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on Thursday, October 26. Sri Lanka and England have suffered a similar fate in the tournament until this point. Both teams have picked up only one victory so far and put themselves far away from contention for a place in the knockout stages. However, with plenty of other results working out favourably, they still are within touching distance of that fourth spot.

England's predicaments have been clear from the opening match of the tournament, where they were hammered across every department by New Zealand. Their campaign seemed to have resurrected after a thumping win against Bangladesh, but it only started to fall further apart.

A clinical all-round display from Afghanistan resulted in their second defeat of the tournament and in their previous match in Mumbai, they were annihilated by South Africa. Heinrich Klaasen's blazing century took the Proteas to 399/7, the highest total against England. In response, England were bowled out for 170 runs in 22 overs, handing England their biggest-ever defeat in ODI cricket (by 229 runs).

Jos Buttler and co have a huge task cut out heading into this match, as a defeat here could further complicate their ambitions of defending the title, to the extent it might be considered impossible.

Openers: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan

Jonny Bairstow's struggles in the tournament have been more evident now than before. However, he is one of the few batters in the English team who is experienced with Indian conditions and Jos Buttler might continue to play him in the XI.

Dawid Malan smashed a century against Bangladesh and is one of England's