Sri Lanka has only played nine Test matches in the last two years, and none after March 2024. They meet the formidable English, who have already played 21 matches in the same time, at the start of the England tour lacking experience in red-ball cricket. The tourists lost a warm-up match against an inexperienced England Lions squad by seven wickets before to the first Test in Manchester on August 21.
Dhananjaya de Silva, the captain of Sri Lanka, has voiced his displeasure at not being able to play more practice matches before an important series before the curtain raiser. Eight players were selected for the inaugural Test match, and on Day 1, the Lankans were dismissed for 139 runs in the warm-up match. The one bright spot was watching Milan Rathnayake, who is expected to make his Test match debut, contribute one wicket each of the first two innings against the Lions.
“Compared to Asian countries, the situations are very different. That’s what we got, but we wanted to play a couple matches. We did not use the entire [team’s] strength. We have also given a few players a tryout. Although we didn’t get the desired outcome, I believe we were prepared.
It’ll work in this game, according to De Silva, who was cited.
“About not receiving a second warm-up game, I have no idea. Perhaps the reason is that we are playing a three-match series for the first time in a long time,” he continued.
In reference to Dhananjaya’s captaincy, Sri Lanka triumphed 3-0 over India in the recently finished One-Day International series. The all-rounder earned his debut on Sri Lanka’s previous visit to England in 2016, and he will be carrying more weight this time.
Also Read: Ollie Pope discusses captaining England without Ben Stokes: “It’s still Stokesy’s squad”
Looking back, he has the expertise of Dimuth Karunarathne, Dinesh Chandimal, and Angelo Matthews for the upcoming task.
Sri Lanka Playing XI for first Test vs England:
Dhananjaya De Silva (C), Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis (Vice Captain), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal (WK), Kamindu Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Milan Rathnayake.
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