Sri Lanka arrived in the UK for the three-match Test series after causing a stir over rioting in England. The visiting team has revealed their starting lineup ahead of the opening Test on August 21 at Manchester’s Emirates Old Trafford. Dhananjaya de Silva will captain Sri Lanka for the first time in whites, and young bowler Milan Rathnayake will make his Test match debut.
In the World Test Championship 2023–2025 cycle points standings, Sri Lanka is presently ranked fourth. The Lankan Lions have participated in four matches, winning two and losing the other two. Before hosting New Zealand for the two-test series in mid-September, the islanders’ trip to England will be very important. Sri Lanka has played nine Tests in the past two years, compared to England’s staggering twenty-one, therefore their lack of playing time in the format is a serious cause for concern.
Due to the lack of a deadly insignia on any of the pacers, Sri Lanka has struggled with its bowling. Additionally, the nation that once boasted a wide variety of mystery spinners has been left searching for one throughout time.
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Rangana Herath, a former spinner for Sri Lanka, referred to Prabath Jayasuriya as his favourite; it would be intriguing to watch the spinner in action for the first time in England.
Sri Lanka playing XI:
Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya De Silva (c), Kamindu Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Milan Rathnayake
A hamstring issue will keep Ben Stokes out of the summer Tests.
Ben Stokes, England’s usual captain, will also be absent from the team. During the Twenty24 match, the all-round player suffered a hamstring tear. The visitors will want to take advantage of this weakness as Ollie Pope will be captaining the team in his absence.
England Playing XI:
Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope (c), Joe Root,Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Mark Wood, Shoaib Bashir
India
