Sri Lanka’s tour outings suggest they could be in deep waters visiting England for Test cricket since 2016. James Richardson previews the first Test.
England v Sri Lanka – First Test
21-25 August 2024
Old Trafford, Manchester
The tourists were well-beaten by the England Lions in their final warm-up for this two-match Test series leaving Sri Lanka as massive underdogs.
Sri Lanka have not helped themselves with their travel arrangements as Visa issues meant some members of the squad only touched down in the UK on Friday, five days before the first Test in Manchester.
In 18 Tests in England, Sri Lanka have claimed just three wins and battled to seven draws, losing eight. This match will be just the second Test between England and Sri Lanka contested at Old Trafford. In the previous Test, in 2014, England claimed a 10-wicket win.
To Win Match
England 24/100 | Draw 21/5 | Sri Lanka 12/1
England bounced back well from their 4-1 series defeat to India with a whitewash of the West Indies to start their home summer.
Joe Root remains England’s great accumulator of runs in this format and is the man who often puts his team in charge of proceedings.
Seamer Gus Atkinson enjoyed a great series against the West Indies and could ride the wave into these engagements with Sri Lanka.
Mark Wood’s extra pace could be game-breaking for England. Skipper Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the series with a hamstring injury, while opening batter Zak Crawley will also miss the series due to a fractured right little finger sustained in the third Test victory over the West Indies.
Sri Lanka have to be aware that they need centuries from their top-order batters in this series to remain competitive with England.
Kamindu Mendis has made a bright start to his Test career but he missed out on the final warm-up match and looks set to be overlooked for selection.
It might be that Sri Lanka are adjusting their team to conditions by leaving out off-spinner Mendis but they could really use the depth in batting he brings to the team.
Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis are the key men for Sri Lanka with the bat and they need to make sure they can cash in on their starts.
Verdict: England 24/100
England should set the tone for the tone for this series by rolling right over Sri Lanka.
