Series still up for grabs: Stuart Broad

Although England claimed a massive win over Sri Lanka in the first Test at Leeds, Stuart Broad has not ruled out a comeback from the Lankans.

On the back of James Anderson’s 10-45 and Jonny Bairstow’s impeccable 140 in the first innings, the Brits managed to smash 298 and bowl out the Lankans for 91 and 119 respectively as the hosts coasted to a massive innings and 88-run win. However, Stuart Broad, who also happens to be the no.1 ranked Test bowler in the world has reiterated that there was no danger of England letting up when the second Test starts at north-east county Durham’s Riverside headquarters on Friday.

“Obviously the series is still up for grabs and I think one thing we’ve probably been average at is in the last Test of the series when we’ve won, I’m thinking Centurion and the Oval,” he added of a defeat by South Africa earlier this year and last year’s Ashes-ending reverse against Australia. “With a Test series up for grabs we’re on it and our aim is to have all nine Test trophies and we can make it eight this week,” he added Wednesday. “I think Australia and South Africa have done it before. It is not something that has been done a huge amount, so it would be a huge achievement and we’re desperate to do that.”

“It wasn’t the perfect performance at Headingley — we dropped catches and we didn’t bat as well as we’d want to (England were 83 for five before Bairstow’s rescue mission) so there are improvements we can make this week.”

As for replacements, the stuffed shirts on the England board will be forced to make at least one change. An injury to Ben Stokes will certainly see him miss out while it is heavily expected that Chris Waokes makes it to the side.

“The great thing is that both guys are coming in in good form,” said Broad, whose combined tally of 781 Test wickets with Anderson makes them one of England’s greatest new-ball pairings.”Chris Woakes is coming off a nine-for on the day he was told he was called up for the Test squad — that’s a pretty good day — and Jake Ball has been bowling beautifully all year.

Niroshan Dickwella, the wicketkeeper-batsman who has been warming the bench as an understudy for Dinesh Chandimal has called upon his teammates to get the runs required.

“Sri Lanka are badly in need of runs from their top order after being skittled out twice in Leeds. Kusal Mendis’s second-innings fifty was a rare highlight but with more grey skies promising to aid the quicks, the tourists are set for another difficult match.”I think we’re getting used to these conditions. We just have to cope with them,” said wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella, hoping to force his way into the side.”Headingley was a bad Test for us, and we’re hoping to come back here.”

The Lankans will also be forced to make one change with speedster Dushmantha Chameera ruled out with an injury. Suranga Lakmal is favorite to replace him.

“I think it would be a big shame if we didn’t come back here,” said Broad. “From a purely selfish point of view of playing within the team, you want to play at grounds you win at. Durham has been a brilliant County Championship side for a number of years, winning it a few times, and they’ve produced quite a few England players who have changed the result for the England team.”