Why is Mark Wood not playing today’s third ODI between England and Sri Lanka in Bristol?

Mark Wood not playing: England have made a solitary change to their Playing XI for the dead-rubber third ODI in Bristol.

During the third ODI of the ongoing Sri Lanka’s tour of England in Bristol, England captain Eoin Morgan has won the toss and chose to field for the third time in a row in this series.

“The decision is based on the weather,” Morgan told Sky Sports Cricket during the toss. For those who don’t know, toss for this match had been delayed due to rain and the weather has had an affect on Morgan’s decision after winning the toss.

Much like the last match, Sri Lanka captain Kusal Perera once again wanted to bowl first but will have to do with opening the batting alongside Avishka Fernando at the County Ground.

“We are expecting swing and bounce but we need a positive approach but follow the basics too,” Perera told Sky Sports Cricket at the toss.

Why is Mark Wood not playing vs Sri Lanka?

Having gained an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, England were expected to test their bench strength today. Having said that, nothing of that sort has happened despite official statements. The only change for the hosts has come in the form of a rotational basis as Chris Woakes returned into the XI for Mark Wood.

ALSO WATCH: Kusal Perera barely manages to survive against Mark Wood’s jaffa

“We try to give players a run and grow towards the future. George [Garton] has been fantastic around the group but it is a fraction too soon to unleash him,” Morgan said.

Would have liked to see England experiment a bit more today but one of the effects of the World Cup Super League is that ‘dead rubbers’ now have a pulse – today’s game just as important as first two in terms of points at stake

— Matt Roller (@mroller98) July 4, 2021

Similar to the home team, Sri Lanka have also made a lone change as batsman Oshada Fernando has replaced Charith Asalanka in the visitors’ XI.

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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