Eng v SL, 1st Test Preview: England begin as favorites against depleted Lankans

The 2014 loss will certainly be heavy on the minds of the England players when they take the-the field against the Sri Lankans at Headingley. However, two years ago, the Lankans were the buoyant side with the English seemingly struggling. However, at the moment, it seems as though these roles have changed significantly. The fixture will also kick-start a long and laborious English summer and the Brits, with some new faces on their side will be hoping to make it count on the big stage. The Lankans however, will be without their major players. Therefore, it remains to be seen how the new generation of Sri Lankans performs in conditions that would certainly be alien to some of them.

Pitch Conditions:

Although the recent England teams haven’t been the most successful at Headingley, the venue will always remain close to the hearts of English supporters. In 1981, Ian ‘Beefy’ Botham slammed an audacious 149, a knock that secured the 81’ Ashes for the lowly English against the mighty Australians. Tucked away in a rather less-fancied suburb of Leeds, Headingley’s charm is second to none.

That said, the wicket, as has always been, will assist the seamers. James Anderson, perhaps the best exponent of swing in the world at the moment will be hoping to do the same. The overcast conditions that prevail in Headingley will also mean that the conditions will be expected to remain more or less the same right through the Test match. Spin will not be expected to play a part until late in the third day when Moeen Ali and Rangana Herath will be expected to make their impact on proceedings.

Team News-

England:

Despite the events that took place two years ago, England is now the beneficiary of the turned tables. They are now the favorites with many pundits and legends underlining their credentials and tipping them to complete a whitewash. However, Alastair Cook and Trevor Bayliss will know all too well to underestimate their opponents.

While the World T20 had its good and bad for the England side, it will be back to business as far as the likes of Alastair Cook and Jonny Bairstow will be concerned. The hangover of the World T20 will now see only Alex Hales, Joe Root, Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes be the leftovers of sorts from the recently concluded tournament. Question marks remain on the participation of Jos Buttler and Chris Jordan, currently plying their trade in the ongoing IPL.

The Brits will be expected to go in with the same core of the side that triumphed in South Africa in the fall of 2015. Nick Compton, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad and James Anderson will be restored to the side. The untimely retirement of James Taylor might see the likes of either Gary Ballance or James Vince making it into the side.

While the history of scoring 10,000 runs beckons for southpaw and skipper Alastair Cook, he will be hoping that the rest of his side step up to the plate like they did in South Africa. James Anderson and Stuart Broad will be immensely important in the opening few days, especially given the conditions. They will be supported by Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes while Moeen Ali will be expected to make an entry into the game only on the third day of play. It will also be interesting to see whether James Vince gets his chance on the international stage. However, that seems somewhat unlikely given the number of seamers already present on the side.

Sri Lanka:

Apart from chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya, many have tipped this side to be the worst Sri Lankan team to leave for England. Jayasuriya is perhaps the only person who has given the Lankans a fighting chance. The tables have turned rather completely. The retirements of key players in Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene has left the Lankan side without a backbone in their batting unit.

To make matters worse, Dhammika Prasad, their premier strike bowler has been ruled out of the side following an undisclosed injury. The Lankans looked ever so shaky in the two tour games played as many of the batsmen were done for pace and swing, something that is the bread and butter of the England side at the moment.

On paper, the Lankan side looks shambolic. The inexperience in the side is evident. However, it would certainly be a great experience for the likes of Dasun Shanaka and Thilina Siriwardana, who are on their first tour of England. Shanaka also impressed one and all with an impressive ton against Lancashire in the tour match.

Should the Lankans have any chances of victory, a lot will ride on the performance of their senior players. Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, and Dinesh Chandimal will have to step into the voids left by the senior players on the tour. The absence of Dhammika Prasad has put the onus on Rangana Herath.

Probable XI-

England:

Alastair Cook (C), Alex Hales, Nick Compton, Joe Root, James Vince/Gary Ballance, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

Sri Lanka:

Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Angelo Mathews (C), Milinda Siriwardana, Dasun Shanaka/Thilina Siriwardana, Rangana Herath, Dushmantha Chameera, Shaminda Eranga, Suranga Lakmal/Nuwan Pradeep

StAttack:

1. The last time these two sides met at Headingly, Sri Lanka came from behind to win by 100 runs. This was the only time the Lankans have played at the venue.

2. England has won just six matches out of 14 at Headingley since 2000. They have won just one of their last seven matches played at this venue.

3. Alastair Cook has 622 runs at Headingley. In addition, he required 36 runs to complete 10,000 runs in Test cricket.