Alastair Cook is determined to show the world that he can change perceptions of his batting style, and change them quickly.
In little more than a week Cook has gone a long way to shedding his tag as a plodder. Before the ODI series began Cook had scored 868 runs at an average of 33.00 and a strike rate of 71.38. After four matches against Sri Lanka his overall average and strike rate have risen to 38.79 and 76.27. He is the leading run-scorer on either side in the series with 267 at 89.00, at a strike rate of 97.80.
Craig Kieswetter, recalled as opener to provide impetus at the top of the order has 161 runs at 53.66 in the series, with a strike rate of 96.41, but has been overshadowed by the new captain's strokeplay.
Thanks to a 10-wicket win in the fourth ODI at Trent Bridge - following an unbeaten opening stand of 171 by the pair - England now has a chance to win the series, currently tied at 2-2.
The Old Trafford wicket used to have a reputation for pace and bounce, though that has changed since the square was turned 90 degrees during ground renovations over the winter. It is the most spin-friendly pitch of the regular international venues in England, with an average of 3.16 wickets a match falling to spin in ODIs.
The prospect of turn for the slow bowlers may prompt the selectors to pick Samit Patel, though he has yet to play in this series. His only outing for England this summer was in the Twenty20 international at Bristol, where he was run out third ball without scoring and bowled two overs for 18. Patel last played an ODI in November 2008.
P49 Eng25 SL24
P19 Eng 10 SL9
Eng P30 W19 L10 NR1
SL P4 W3 L1
Eng v SL P2 SL2
The average first innings score in ODIs at Manchester is 216.
In 38 ODIs on the ground 15 have been won by the side batting first, 22 by the side batting second, with one no result.
The two sides played here in 2002 and 2006. In the first match, Sri Lanka scored 229 (Sangakkara 70) England 206 (Jayasuriya 3-38). Sri Lanka won by 23 runs.
In 2006 Sri Lanka scored 318-7 (Jayawardene 100) England 285 (Strauss 45). Sri Lanka won by 33 runs.
Tim Bresnan took an athletic catch off his own bowling at Trent Bridge to dismiss the dangerous Angelo Mathews. He has missed a lot of cricket recently, while recovering from a torn calf muscle, but appears to be back to full strength, recording figures of 9-0-39-2 - his best return of the series.
Overall Bresnan has played 46 ODIs, with 547 runs at 21.88 at a strike rate of 93.98. He has taken 54 wickets at 37.31, at a cost of 5.28 runs per over, often bowling at the end of the innings.
Kumar Sangakkara stirred up a hornet's nest with his scathing comments during the MCC Spirit of Cricket lecture on the way cricket is run in Sri Lanka. After a Tri-Nation tournament in Scotland Sangakkara will return to face the music ahead of the home series against Australia next month.
He top-scored for his side with 75 at Trent Bridge - also his best innings against England in 29 ODIs - and will want to strengthen his position with another big score at Manchester. He has 173 runs in the series at 43.25, with two fifties, and one catch and two stumpings as wicketkeeper.
This will be the 50th ODI between the two sides.
James Anderson needs three wickets for 200. Anderson could become the 31st player in world cricket to pass 200 and only the second for England, after Darren Gough.
