A worn SCG wicket could come to Australia's aid in the race for a Twenty20 World Cup semi-final spot, with England set to deal with a spinning deck against Sri Lanka.
England carry a significant advantage into the last days of Group One, playing after Australia and knowing what must be achieved in order to qualify for the finals.
Provided Australia beat Afghanistan on Friday night, England must ensure they beat Sri Lanka and finish ahead of the hosts on net run-rate.
Traditionally, teams prefer to bat second when looking to firm up net run-rate scenarios, given they are able to know how hard to go with the bat early.
But Sydney's wicket could change those plans.
The pitch Sri Lanka and England are playing on is the same wicket used for last Saturday's game against Sri Lanka and New Zealand, as well as South Africa and Pakistan on Thursday night.
That surface has offered more for slower bowlers than the run-scoring paradises used earlier in the tournament on the SCG.
Sri Lanka also have a bevy of dangerous spinners who would benefit from bowling second, including Wanindu Hasaranga and Makheesh Theekshana.
England opening batsman Alex Hales admits the wicket may change his side's plans.
"You probably have to ask the think-tank of Jos and Motty. They would probably know," Hales said on Friday.
"More often than not it is a decent pitch here. It can break up and spin. We'll know more over the next 24 hours."
Regardless, England will back their firepower to chase down any accelerated target required to finish ahead of Australia.
In simple terms, England must ensure their victory margin over Sri Lanka is within 60 runs or six overs of any Australian winning margin against Afghanistan.
But with the most explosive batting line-up in world cricket, Hales believes the scenario is perfectly set up for England to qualify.
"I think (playing last) does play to our advantage. See what happens today and we can adapt to whatever tomorrow requires," Hales said.
"We are pretty confident that whatever we need to do, we have the skills and firepower to do it.
"It all come naturally to us, especially with the layout of our squad playing an extra batter.
"The middle order is so strong. Guys who can strike quite easily at 200 strike-rate."
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, had still not lost hope of qualifying on Friday afternoon, needing either New Zealand or Australia to be shocked by Ireland or Afghanistan before causing their own upset on England.
"Hopefully the results are in favour of us," batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa said.
"We have come here to justify our presence, we just want to play good cricket."
