Alastair Cook’s men followed up an innings win at Headingley, with an outstanding nine-wicket triumph in the second Test at Emirates Riverside to clinch the series – an extra special occasion for the skipper as he became the first Englishman to score 10,000 Test runs and James Anderson becoming the number one Test Match bowler in the world. It was James Anderson who was man-of-the-match, his match figures of 8-94 taking his series tally to 18 at an incredible 7.72 average
Angelo Mathews wanted a reaction from his men after their embarrassing defeat in the opening Test Match. Hi Sri Lanka side did show some greater fight in the second Test, with Dinesh Chandimal scoring a first Test hundred outside of Asia as the visitors managed 475 in their second innings, and will hope that form lasts for Lord’s.
Although the Test series is gone for Sri Lanka, a win at Lord’s can at least reduce their 8-0 deficit in the Super Series format, while defeat will see the need to win all five ODIs and the single T20I just to tie with England.
[quote cite=”Alastair Cook, commenting on England’s unchanged squad”]It gives people the chance to show what they can do in an England shirt. You want people to feel as comfortable as they can. You are never going to be perfectly comfortable when you’re on the periphery.[/quote]
Team news
England, unsurprisingly, have opted for an unchanged team. Nick Compton gets another opportunity to impress at No 3 in the batting order for England, and on his home ground. Finn keeps Jake Ball waiting once again for a Test debut and Chris Woakes’ revelatory pace and incision in Durham means his all-rounders berth remains secure in Ben Stokes’ continued absence.
England 1 Alastair Cook (capt), 2 Alex Hales, 3 Nick Compton, 4 Joe Root, 5 James Vince, 6 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 7 Moeen Ali, 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Stuart Broad, 10 Steven Finn, 11 James Anderson
More potential upheaval in Sri Lanka’s ranks following an injury in training for Milinda Siriwardana, who faces a late fitness test on an ankle problem. Chaminda Bandara, the uncapped left-arm seamer, may step in while Eranga faces up to his bowling action issues, while Dasun Shanaka could also be considered for a recall. Kusal Perera, back with the squad following the overturning of his drugs ban, is an outside bet to challenge the underperforming Lahiru Thirimanne in the middle order.
[quote cite=”Angelo Mathews, Captain of Sri Lanka”]Every Test match is a motivation. When you play a Test match at Lord’s it’s great.[/quote]
Sri Lanka (probable) 1 Dimuth Karunaratne, 2 Kaushal Silva, 3 Kusal Mendis, 4 Dinesh Chandimal (wk), 5 Angelo Mathews (capt), 6 Lahiru Thirimanne, 7 Dasun Shanaka / Milinda Siriwardana, 8 Rangana Herath, 9 Chaminda Bandara, 10 Nuwan Pradeep 11 Suranga Lakmal
See Test Match this summer at Edgbaston
England are in action this summer holiday when they take on Pakistan at Edgbaston on Wednesday 3 – Sunday 7 August. Tickets are on sale priced at just £6 for Under 16’s and £31 for Adults. Click here to secure your tickets or call 0844 847 1902.
