Sri Lanka look to avoid series defeat

Having been tipped for an easy series win and even a whitewash, Sri Lanka have to win Wednesday's fourth match if they are to force the series to a decider. England have the momentum, but Sri Lanka still have the pedigree to come from behind and win it 3-2.

Bet365 make Sri Lanka 8/15 (1.53) to triumph on Wednesday while England, who have won the last two matches, and to be honest, they have deserved it, are 11/8 (2.37) for a victory that would give them a series win.

All this, despite the fact that England had won just one one-day international in Sri Lanka before this series, and that was 25 years ago.

England will be buoyed by the way they have battled to victory in the past two games. Kevin Pietersen has not had a decent innings in any of the matches but the lower order has seen England through, which is always heartening.

Sri Lanka, by contrast, have been guilty of a bit of complacency and their sometimes cavalier approach has been their undoing.

However, I would not write them off just yet as they are a more than competent team - better than England on paper - they have home advantage, and Colombo, the venue for the last two games of the series has been kind to them in the past.

In 64 games at the Premadasa Stadium, they have won 43 and lost just 16 of them. However, a big danger to their chances is that monsoon rains are predicted for this week and if they arrive, you can forget about getting these two matches played.

Sri Lanka are 4/6 to have the better opening partnership (England are 11/10) and the home side are also favourites to be leading after 10 overs, at 8/11 to England's evens. England still haven't found a way to score fast at the top of the order so Sanath Jayasuriya and his opening partner should be too strong.

Who will get the runs
Kevin PIetersen has failed three times so far, but bet365 still make him their 11/4 favourite to be top runscorer for England in the match. Ian Bell is next at 7/2, Alastair Cook is 9/2, with captain Paul Collingwood, who is nursing a shoulder injury, 5/1.

Phil Mustard is 6/1 while Owais Shah, one of England's most successful batsmen of the series, is 8/1 and Luke Wright, who probably won't play unless there is an injury to someone, is 9/1.

Jayasuriya is favourite to be top Sri Lanka runscorer at 3/1, with captain Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara 7/2. Upul Tharanga is 4/1, Chamara Silva is 7/1 and Tillekeratne Dilshan 15/2.