Related Link: Sri Lanka Tour of England 2014 – Fixtures and Scorecards
The opening Test of the 2-match Investec Test Series between England and Sri Lanka begins today at Lord’s. Naturally England are considered to be the favourites going into this Test given the fact that the Sri Lankans have traditionally been poor visitors in foreign conditions.
England Squad for Lord’s Test
The live scores of Eng vs SL, Lord’s Test can be followed at http://live.cricketfundas.com. The Live TV Coverage of this match will be on Sky Sports.
England have a stiff task though as their morale has been low following the disastrous Ashes defeat down under. Skipper Alastair Cook is going to have a new opening partner in the uncapped Sam Robinson. This short Test Series against Sri Lanka will be like a warm-up of sorts for the Englishmen before they take on a much stronger Team India in a 5-match Test Series.
The hosts will have a new look batting line-up which includes the inexperienced trio of Sam Robinson, Gary Ballance and Moeen Ali. The bowling as we know has been weakened following the retirement of ace spinner Graeme Swann. To find someone who could fill up the boots of Graeme Swann is going to be an enormous task for England. Nevertheless, England will bank on the experience of James Anderson and Stuart Broad to deliver them the results. Fast bowler Liam Plunkett makes an international comeback and whether he could trouble the Lankan batsmen with his pace and bounce remains to be seen.
Sri Lanka led by all-rounder Angelo Mathews will continue to rely on Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara to hold together the inexperienced batting line-up. Following the retirements of Thilan Samaraweera and Tillakaratne Dilshan, the Lankan batting doesn’t look that threatening. Having said that it is a great opportunity for the likes of Lahiru Thirimanne and Dinesh Chandimal to show the world that they can take over the Sri Lankan batting from the aging seniors.
The tourists have some decent seamers in Nuwan Kulasekara, Shaminda Eranga and Chanaka Welegedara. Rangana Herath could do well if the surface turns out to be dry. But one can say that the Sri Lankan bowling may not trouble the English batsmen in these conditions.
England Squad: Alastair Cook (Captain), Moeen Ali, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Gary Ballance, Sam Robson, Matt Prior (Wicket Keeper), Stuart Broad, Chris Jordan, James Anderson, Chris Woakes, Liam Plunket
Sri Lanka Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews (Captain), Prasanna Jayawardene (Wicket Keeper), Nuwan Kulasekara, Chanaka Welegedara, Shaminda Eranga, Rangana Herath, Dinesh Chandimal, Dilruwan Perera, Nuwan Pradeep, Dhammika Prasad