4.5 overs (1 Run) Now works this around the corner with the angle and gets to the other end.
4.4 overs (2 Runs) Another good punch! Shorter and on off, Fernando once again stands tall, gets on top of the bounce and punches it past mid off for two. Two lovely shots by Fernando, just shows how good the pitch is.
4.3 overs (2 Runs) Good shot but an even better stop! Back of a length delivery on middle, Fernando goes back and punches it firmly towards mid on. The fielder there dives to his left and takes the pace off the ball. The batsmen take one and then go for the second. The mid off fielder does the mopping up job and fires it to the bowler but Mendis completes the second with a dive.
4.2 overs (0 Run) Back of a length and on middle, Fernando defends it onto the ground.
4.1 overs (1 Run) Angles this into the pads, Mendis works it towards fine leg and gets to the other end.
3.6 overs (0 Run) Confusion but then no harm done! Shorter and on off, Avishka stands tall and pushes it to cover. Mendis wants a run but is sent back. Root runs in from point but does not collect the ball cleanly. A maiden by Archer. The English bowlers have started off brilliantly.
3.5 overs (0 Run) Back of a length and on the body, the batter defends it to mid on.
3.4 overs (0 Run) Another good leave! Just outside off, Fernando shuffles across and lets it be.
3.3 overs (0 Run) Brave leave! This is bowled just outside off and comes back in just a little. Fernando covers his off pole and shoulders arms to it. It goes close past the off pole.
3.2 overs (0 Run) Loose shot! Back of a length and outside off, AF hangs his bat out away from the body, gets beaten.
3.1 overs (0 Run) Back of a length on off, Fernando stands tall and guides it to point.
2.6 overs (0 Run) Back of a length delivery on off, Mendis rocks back and keeps it out. Two consectuive successful overs in a row for England.
2.5 overs (1 Run) Fernando scores his first run! There is width on offer and AF guides it down to third man and gets to the other end.
2.4 overs (0 Run) The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
2.3 overs (0 Run) Back of a length and around off, Fernando stands tall and keeps it out.
Two quick and early wickets has seen the talented Kusal Mendis walk out to bat now. Three slips in place as Avishka Fernando is on strike.
2.2 overs (0 Run) OUT! In the air... taken! Kusal Perera is out of here! Both the openers who added a 100-plus run stand against Australia are back in the hut even before the end of the third over. Nothing great about this delivery, it is on the shorter side and outside off. Perera looks to cut but there is extra bounce. It takes the top edge and flies down to third man where Moeen Ali takes an easy catch running forward. Sri Lanka in huge trouble here.
2.1 overs (0 Run) On the pads, Perera looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads.
Who will come out at number 3? Will Angelo Mathews get a promotion? He has not been in the best of form in this tournament. No promotion for Mathews. It is going to be Avishka Fernando.
1.6 overs (0 Run) OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Archer draws first blood and it is of the in-form Sri Lankan captain. Dreadful start for the visitors after electing to bat. A good delivery from Archer. He lands it on a length and it is on off, angles away. Karunaratne does not play for the angle and hence, ends up playing inside the line. The ball kisses the outside edge and goes into the mitts of the keeper. England are pumped up. End of a successful first by Archer.
1.5 overs (0 Run) A good bouncer! DK ducks under it.
1.4 overs (0 Run) Good length and on off, Dimuth defends it out.
1.3 overs (1 Run) NOT OUT! Karunaratne is in! That too quite easily. Archer bowls a back of a length delivery around off, Perera works it towards mid-wicket and sets off. Karunaratne hesitates for a second and then goes for it. Morgan gets to the ball quickly and hits bull's eye at the striker's end. An appeal and the umpire takes it upstairs. Replays roll in and they show that Karunaratne has made his ground.
A direct hit! Is Karunaratne short? He seems relaxed though but you never know with direct hits.
1.2 overs (0 Run) Back of a length on off, Kusal stands tall and defends it back to the bowler.
1.1 overs (0 Run) On a length and outside off, it is left alone. Good line and length to begin with.
Jofra Archer to bowl from the other end with the second.
0.6 over (0 Run) A dot to end a tight first over by Woakes. Length and outside off, it is left alone.
0.5 over (1 Run) Perera is now off the mark! Back of a length delivery and once again the line is around middle and leg. It is worked on the leg side for a single.
0.4 over (1 Run) Sri Lanka are away! Karunaratne manages to work this on the leg side and takes a single. Woakes is a little too straight this time.
0.3 over (0 Run) Once again Karunaratne does not find the middle! This is fuller and on the pads, it is angling away. DK looks to work it on the leg side but due to the away angle, the ball goes off a soft leading edge to cover.
0.2 over (0 Run) Slightly fuller and outside off, Karunaratne looks to hit it through the off side but ends up playing outside the line, it goes off the inner half towards the bowler.
0.1 over (0 Run) An excellent beginning by Woakes! He lands it on a length and around off, it jags back in sharply. Karunaratne is surprised by the movement. He fails to put bat on ball. It hits him high on the pads and goes to the keeper.
Done and dusted with the National Anthems! The English players make their way out to the middle. They are followed by the Sri Lankan openers, Kusal Perera and Dimuth Karunaratne. Chris Woakes has the first new ball in hand. Two slips in place. However, we have a slight delay as we have a sightscreen issue. It has been solved though and Woakes comes running in to bowl the first ball.
The players are out in the middle for their respective national anthems. First up it will be Sri Lanka's followed by England's. We are not far away from the first ball being bowled in this game.
England Playing XI - James Vince, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood.
Sri Lanka Playing XI - Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Kusal Perera (WK), Avishka Fernando (IN for Lahiru Thirimanne), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Jeevan Mendis (IN for Milinda Siriwardana), Dhananjaya de Silva, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Pradeep.
Eoin Morgan says they would have wanted to bat too, it looks a good wicket and they would have wanted to make use of it. Informs they have gone with the same line-up like the last game and he expects there to be some turn later on. States their first priority is to get into the semi finals and if they do that, they will assess which player needs a rest in the games ahead. Ends by saying, it is a big moment for Moeen Ali as it is his 100th cap and he deserves a place in the side.
Sri Lanka skipper, Dimuth Karunaratne says that it is a batting track and hence they are batting first as they do not want any scoreboard pressure. On the break he says it was a good chance to discuss the strategy and focus. Reckons they need to do something special here to beat England. On the form of his sides middle order. Karunaratne says he is not worried about it and is confident that the it will come good. On the team changes, Karunaratne informs there are two changes in his side as Milinda Siriwardana and Lahiru Thirimanne are replaced by Jeevan Mendis and Avishka Fernando
TOSS - The skippers and the match referee are out in readiness. England skipper, Morgan spins the coin. Sri Lanka skipper, Karunaratne calls Tails and it lands in his favour. SRI LANKA OPT TO BAT.
PITCH REPORT - Nasser Hussain and Wasim Akram are the pitch analyst for the day. Hussain says bowling from the Football stand the straight boundaries are 74m whereas from the other end it is 78m. He says the sun is out and it looks like a good day. Wasim Akram from the other end agrees with Nasser and says it is a lovely day and tells us it is a day which is called as a batting day in England. On the pitch, Akram informs that it is a belter for batting and informs us that the average score here is 290 batting first.
Today's clash is between the host and one of the title contenders England and 1996 World Champions Sri Lanka. A must-win game for the visitors as a loss here will make it very difficult for them to enter into the semi-finals. They are second favourites against an English side who are on a roll. They have won their last two games quite convincingly and will look to make 3 in 3 here today. Anything less than an England win will surely be an upset.
4.6 overs (0 Run) Back of a length and on off, Mendis defends it out.