England vs Sri Lanka: George Garton could make debut in final ODI clash

With the ODI series against Sri Lanka wrapped up with a game to spare, England have an opportunity to experiment in the final match of a one-sided tour, in Bristol on Sunday.

That could mean a debut for Sussex’s left-arm pace-bowling all-rounder George Garton. England also have Tom Banton back in the squad, while Liam Livingstone missed out after Jason Roy’s return on Thursday.

Captain Eoin Morgan and stand-in coach Graham Thorpe say they will mull the decision over the makeup of their side.

England followed a five-wicket win at Durham with an eight-wicket win at the Kia Oval on Thursday, with Sam Curran taking his maiden international five-fer. There were also fifties for three senior batters in Roy, Joe Root and Morgan.

Afterwards, Morgan said: “I think we will see more changes. We see 50-over cricket as a chance to bring guys in. We are looking at new faces. We are always looking to grow and get better.”

Thorpe said that while England’s senior players were performing well, there were “a few gaps maybe for the captain to experiment with”.

Of Garton, Thorpe said: “We know he’s got a bit of pace on him, but he’s also got some good tricks up his sleeve. It’s one thing seeing it at a county level, but it’s another thing stepping up and doing it in international matches as well.

“There’ll be interesting discussions about whether we can get him into the side down at Bristol.”

Read More

Sam Curran’s first England five-fer sets up routine win over Sri Lanka

Chris Woakes and Joe Root guide England to ODI win over Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka tour of England in chaos as star trio sent home after breaking Covid protocols

Dawid Malan returns to form as England seal T20 series whitewash over sorry Sri Lanka