Eight test players including skipper Dhananjaya de Silva are set to travel to England on August 3, well ahead of the three-match Test series scheduled to begin on August 21 in Manchester. This early arrival is a strategic move to acclimate to the English conditions, which are known for their unique challenges, particularly for sub-continental teams.
The cricketers include Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, and Kasun Rajitha apart from de Silva. Additionally, Jonathon Porter, the team’s physiotherapist, will accompany the players to ensure they maintain peak physical condition throughout the tour. The remaining players will join the team after the ongoing limited-overs series against India.
To prepare adequately for the series, Sri Lanka Cricket has arranged for the team to train at Londo Shenley Cricket Club. Known for its excellent facilities, the club will provide an ideal environment for players to adapt to England’s cooler climate and different pitch conditions. Training sessions will focus on honing skills specific to the red-ball format, such as swing bowling and batting techniques suited to seaming conditions—essential for success in England.
The Sri Lankan tour of England begins with a four-day warm-up match in Worcester starting on August 14. This game is critical, allowing the team to fine-tune strategies and gain match practice before the official series. The first Test will be held at Old Trafford from August 21 to 25, followed by the second Test at Lord’s from August 29 to September 2, and the final Test at The Oval from September 6 to 10.
This series holds immense importance for Sri Lanka, not only in terms of international rankings but also as an opportunity to test themselves against one of the world’s top cricketing nations. The challenging English conditions, with swinging and seaming balls, often trouble even seasoned batsmen. The last time Sri Lanka toured England for a Test series was in 2016, led by Angelo Mathews, but unfortunately, that series ended in a 2-0 defeat for Sri Lanka, with one match drawn .
CT
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