Yesterday, the opening Super Eight match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Colombo was washed out without a ball bowled, with both sides taking one point.
Good morning! After skirting around the edges of the tournament for a few weeks, here, at last, be monsters.
England find themselves in Super Eights Group runners up, which also includes New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with previous points pocketed no longer counting for anything.
Today, they play Sri Lanka at the familiar Pallekele Cricket Stadium. England have the numbers on their side, easily beating Sri Lanka here three times in the pre-tournament muscle-flexing, and have won the last 11 T20s between the two sides. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have the advantage of an enthused home crowd and the perky pill of having taken down Australia here a week ago – thanks to their hand of spinners and the dangerous Pathum Nissanka.
Neither side covered themselves in glory during the group stages, Sri Lanka losing to Zimbabwe; and England limping over the line against Italy and Nepal. Now, though, they say they’re primed, or, in the words of Jacob Bethell: “ready to go out there and give it the full shebang”.
Shebang or shemozzle, play is due to start at 9.30am GMT, do join us.