England lead the series after winning a surprisingly competitive first Test against Sri Lanka. The sides now head to Lord’s for the second Test. James Richardson previews.
England v Sri Lanka – Second Test
29 August – 2 September
Lord’s, London
The tourists will take some confidence from the way they grew into the game but paid a price for the wickets they lost early on day one.
The series moves to the home of cricket, Lord’s in London where Sri Lanka have contested five consecutive drawn Tests. England have won just three of their last eight matches at Lord’s.
To Win Match
England 1/4 | Draw 8/1 | Sri Lanka 11/2
Jamie Smith enjoyed an incredible debut, scoring a century in trying circumstances to put his team back on track.
Joe Root’s consistency in Test cricket makes him the best bet when it comes to top-scoring for England even if there are other strong candidates.
Gus Atkinson has been England’s best seam bowler at home in the last 12 months and will probably be the big wicket threat in the first innings.
In the second dig at Lord’s, it could be set up for off-spinner Shoaib Bashir to come into his own.
Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya showed that he can trouble England from early on in a match even in the seam-friendly conditions.
Asitha Fernando was the best of the Sri Lanka quicks in the first Test but he wasn’t spot-on through every spell and his team need him to find his radar quickly in the second Test.
Sri Lanka also need to get much more out of their top four who have contributed less to the cause than their No 7 Kamindu Mendis, whose positive approach showed the way for the top batters.
Two failures from Kusal Mendis leave him as the batter under the most pressure among that top four heading into the second Test.
Verdict: England 1/4
England should be able to use conditions to their advantage to win the Test and clinch the series.
