The ENG vs SL Test series has started in a rather strange fashion. While the actual series starts with the first Test at Old Trafford on August 21, but an incident during a training session on the eve of the match has managed to grab some attention. As per Rex Clementine of The Island, Sri Lankan players were evacuated from the dressing room after a fire alarm went off. Although it was a false alarm, and the team was back within 15 minutes of the incident, it did create some havoc among the team and the players.
ENG vs SL, A Golden Chance for Visitors
With the likes of Ben Stokes and Zak Crawley not available for the ENG vs SL series, this is an opportunity for the Lankan side, to win their second Test series in the nation. After their exploits in 2014, where they won 1-0, they have not been able to win a Test match in the nation. Plus, under Dhanajaya De Silva, the visitors look like a decent unit, where their batting and fast-bowling looks sorted.
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Sri Lanka Denied..
Having said that, Sri Lanka lost their only practice match rather convincingly. At at pre-match presser, skipper Dhanajaya admitted that he wanted another practice game, but was denied the opportunity. “The conditions are quite different to Asian countries,” Dhananjaya was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
“We wanted to play a few matches, but that’s what we get. We didn’t go with the full-strength [team]. We have tried out a few players as well. The result didn’t go our way, but we had the preparation, I think. It’ll work in this match.”
England Squad: Ollie Pope (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Daniel Lawrence, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Mark Wood, Shoaib Bashir, Jordan Cox, Olly Stone
Sri Lanka Squad: Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kasun Rajitha, Pathum Nissanka, Milan Priyanath Rathnayake, Nisala Tharaka, Jeffrey Vandersay, Ramesh Mendis
