Following 0-1 despite an impressive fight in the second innings, Sri Lanka will be desperate for victory when they take on England in the final Test in Galle, starting on Friday, January 22nd.
Overview
Sri Lanka v England, 2nd Test
Galle International Stadium, Galle
January 22 to January 26, 2021; 10m local time, 4.30m GMT
If Sri Lanka are to achieve that goal, they will need more consistency in their stick. In the first Test, their combination for 135 in the first innings cost them the game, despite their commendable fight in the second innings, when they scored 359.
Five players including Kusal Mendis have been released and will return home, with Dinesh Chandimal leading on to captain the team in the 2nd test match, as well. This will draw the attention of young and high-profile Oshada Fernando who is currently waiting in the wings.
They also hope that Suranga Lakmal, who has been nursing a hamstring problem, has recovered and found enough matchmaking fitness to contend for this one.
England also made one change, albeit for different reasons. England are expected to play India in a four-legged test series shortly after the consecutive games in Sri Lanka, and their ruling will be aware of the need to reassure their players – it meant the night before the game, England announced they were playing XI, with Jimmy Anderson introducing him, replacing Stuart Broad.
England XI Test: Dominic Sibley, Zak Crawley, Jonathan Bairstow, Joe Root (captain), Dan Lawrence, Jos Buttler (keeper), Sam Curran, Dominic Bess, Jack Leach, Mark Wood, James Anderson.
Nevertheless, spin will remain the main weapon for both sides in this Test, especially since the pitch is expected to be drier than in the first Test.
Remember last time:
Sri Lanka opted to bat but were taken out of England, with Stuart Broad making the early passes before Dom Bess took 5/30 to collect the home side for 135. The fall would be as costly as England, under captain Joe Root led 228, they posted a scary 421 in their first innings.
Sri Lanka fought back in the second innings, a century from Lahiru Thirimanne, and half a century from Kusal Perera and Angelo Mathews helped the side to 359. However, with their low first try, England only had 74 run to win. They would move, losing three wickets, but the visitors came through for a seven-wicket win.
What they said:
Angelo Mathews, Sri Lankan bat: “It’s not about being conservative. You always have to watch running runs. But you have to understand how you can score a run off those archers and in those conditions.”
England captain Joe Root: “These rounds and games are all about winning but the experience you gain can be very rewarding for you in your career if you have the right vision and do it the right way. “