Sri Lanka Searching For Test Success
Sri Lanka haven’t won a Test series in England since 2014, and they are the underdogs to win the first test at 15/2. The Lions have mostly been playing white ball cricket this summer, where they faced India. They lost the T20 series 2-0 but did manage to win the ODI series, so they arrive on these shores in good form. On the other hand, they did play a first-class match against the England Lions at Worcester last week, and they were easily swept aside by a seven-wicket defeat, so their confidence might be a little low.
Rain Might Stop Spin
In that match, Praba Jayasuira was their shining light, as he took five wickets for Sri Lanka in the first innings. The 32-year-old is a left-arm spinner, and he has done very well since joining the test side considering he’s only played ten matches. However, the main concern I have is the weather.
Raging Rajitha
Therefore, I think Kasun Rajitha could be the pick of their bowlers in the first match. He’s a very quick bowler and can easily reach 90 mph with his delivery. The 31-year-old didn’t bowl too badly at Worcester and was able to take a couple of wickets. If the conditions are overcast, I think he could cause the England batting line-up a few headaches.
Magnificent Madushka
Sri Lanka’s batters seemed to struggle to adapt in the first-innings at Worcester, with the highest-scoring batsman only reaching 26. Despite that, things did improve for them in the second-innings, and Nishan Madushka put up a great display to score 77. He’s a wicketkeeper batsman who is a recent addition to the Sri Lanka test squad, and he has proven that he is more than capable playing at this level. Last year, he recorded his highest test score of 205 against Ireland, so he needs to be respected.
New Look England
Meanwhile, England will be a different proposition this time around after their comfortable Test series win against the West Indies. They are without captain Ben Stokes, who came off injured after an appearance in the Hundred last week. That means Ollie Pope will step up to lead the side at Old Trafford. Furthermore, Dan Lawrence looks set to replace Zak Crawley at the top of the batting, as Crawley looks set to miss the match due to a broken finger. Lawrence has been part of several Test squads without playing, so it will be interesting to see how he gets on.
The Smith Sensation
The one player who I think will have a big impact in this series is Jamie Smith. He stepped up very well against the West Indies and delivered with the bat on several occasions, which included racking up two-half centuries. In the last test, he was England’s top run scorer in the first innings with a score of 95, and I think the 12/1 on offer looks way too big.
England’s Bowling Beats
When it comes to England’s best bowler at Old Trafford, I think it’s a hard call to make. This summer England have been very strong with their bowling attack, but the emergence of Gus Atkinson has been very much a focal point. The only reason I am going to go against him here is the fact that he hasn’t bowled at Old Trafford before in Test cricket. Therefore, I’m probably just going to side with Mark Wood, who has played some of his cricket on this ground. The last time we saw him, the West Indies batting line-up couldn’t live with his pace as he took seven wickets in the match. He is maybe a bit shorter for some people to be England’s leading bowler again in the first innings at 9/4, but I do think he’ll take plenty of wickets.
Hopefully we get a great match and the rain can stay away.
England v Sri Lanka 1st Test Selections
Kasun Rajitha Top Sri Lanka Wicket Taker (1st Innings) – 7/2
Nishan Madushka Top Sri Lanka Run Scorer (1st Innings) – 11/2
Jamie Smith Top England Run Scorer (1st Innings) – 12/1
Mark Wood Top England Wicket Taker (1st Innings) – 9/4
