Sri Lanka v England: Sir Ian Botham confident tourists can square series in Pallekele
Sky Bet tipster backs Root and Finn to inspire second successive victory
Friday 12 December 2014 18:33, UK
Sir Ian Botham is backing England to level the ODI series with Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Saturday.
The tourists kept the series alive with a crucial five-wicket win in Pallekele in a rain-delayed match on Thursday and now trail 3-2 with two games to play.
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Joe Root steered England home with an unbeaten century after Chris Woakes had taken 6-47 to restrict Sri Lanka to 239 on Wednesday.
England return to the scene of their triumph with confidence high and Botham sees no reason why they cannot record back-to-back victories.
The Sky Sports cricket pundit said: "The team has found its confidence. The young players are dynamic and playing with real belief.
"Root and Taylor batted magnificently together. Bopara also played really well and helped put them in control.
"England are now starting to play to their potential but know they must win or the series is over."
Botham backed Root to top score in Thursday's win, one of six winning Beefy's Bets. The Yorkshireman also returned for punters at 14/1 to win the Man of the Match award.
I think Finn will bowl at the death this time and could get among the wickets.
The Sky Bet tipster is understandably keeping faith with Root to repeat his heroics at odds of 9/2 and he's also backing Steven Finn (4/1) to star with the ball.
He added: "Woakes bowled well the other day and picked up wickets at the death, but it's a new pitch and it might dust up a bit.
"I think Finn will bowl at the death this time and could get among the wickets."
Beefy also successfully backed Kumar Sangakkara to top score for the hosts for the second match in succession at odds of 3/1 - the Sri Lankan opener following up his match-winning 86 in Colombo with 91.
Botham is expecting the left-hander to complete another hat-trick of winning bets.
Beefy's Bets
England to win sixth ODI - 5/4
England to win and Joe Root top England runs - 12/1
Joe Root top England runs - 9/2
Kumar Sangakkara top Sri Lanka bat - 11/4
Steven Finn most England wickets - 4/1
Joe Root top England bat and Steven Finn top England bowler - 28/1
Joe Root England top bat and Kumar Sangakkara Sri Lanka most runs - 20/1
Moeen Ali to be Man of the Match - 9/1
