The first semi-final of the ICC World T20 will be played between England and Sri Lanka at St. Lucia on Thursday. England won all their Super Eight games to enter the semi-final, while Sri Lanka had a stiff, last ball win over India to go through.

England’s (4/5 at Boylesports) performance in the tournament has been rather clinical; they have disposed off Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa with equal disdain. As compared to that, Sri Lanka’s (11/10 at Blue Square) last minute entry into the semi-finals means that they will be huffing and puffing into the knock-out round and despite the game being played on a spin-friendly wicket, could make things difficult for them.

England’s secret behind their success has been the way in which the side has performed as a unit, both, the batsmen and the bowlers have done their bit. Kevin Pietersen’s (10/3 at Totesport to top-score for his side) return from England is obviously good news for the side, and more importantly, so is the form of Eoin Morgan (11/2 at Boylesports to be the best batsman for his side). Paul Collingwood (6/1 at Blue Square) at has yet to fire, much like Kumar Sangakkara (7/2 at Bet Fred to be the best bat for Sri Lanka) was, in the previous game against India. But, he will draw solace from the fact that he has been playing on these slow and low pitches like the one at St. Lucia since the tour of Bangladesh, and that should definitely work in his favour.

Craif Kieswetter (9/2 at Boylesports to top-score for England) is the one batsman at the top of the innings, who has had a reputation of being able to smash the ball around but hasn’t yet fired in the tournament. Could the semi-final be his big day?

Sri Lanka finally showed some signs of an improved batting performance in the India game, as they chased down a 160 plus total without assistance from Mahela Jayawardene (3/1 at Ladbrokes to top-score for Sri Lanka). Tillakaratne Dilshan (4/1 at Blue Square to be the best batsman for their side) showed the signs that he was getting there with his form, but most importantly, it was the lower-middle order which scored the important runs when it was required. Angelo Mathews’ (9/1 at Blue Square to be the best bat for his side) knock of 46 won him the man of the match, and he could be the man to look out for.

Tips:
Favourites: England (4/5 at Boylesports)
Top England batsman: Craig Kieswetter (9/2 at Boylesports)
Top Sri Lanka batsman: Mahela Jayawardene (3/1 at Ladbrokes)