Sri Lanka Tour of England 2024: Player Squads, Fixtures Schedule, Venues All You Need to Know

The Sri Lankan cricket team is set to tour England for a 3-Test series starting on 21st August 2024. The matches will be held at some of the most historic cricket grounds in England, providing a perfect backdrop for what promises to be an exciting series.

This tour will be a true test of skill and endurance as both teams look to assert their dominance in the longest format of the game.

Series Overview

England will be without their regular captain, Ben Stokes, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. In his absence, Ollie Pope has been named captain, and this will be his first time leading the national side in a Test series. Opener Zak Crawley is also out of the series after fracturing his right little finger, while fast bowler Dillon Pennington, who was part of the squad in the West Indies series, misses out due to a hamstring injury.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be led by Dhananjaya de Silva, with Kusal Mendis as his deputy. The Sri Lankan squad features a mix of experience and new talent, including uncapped players Milan Rathnayake and Nisala Tharaka, who are eager to make their mark on the international stage. The team will rely on its seasoned players like Angelo Mathews and Dimuth Karunaratne to provide stability and experience.

Fixtures and Venues

The series is scheduled as follows:

1st Test: England vs Sri Lanka - August 21-25, 2024 - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester

2nd Test: England vs Sri Lanka - August 29 - September 2, 2024 - Lord’s Cricket Ground, London

3rd Test: England vs Sri Lanka - September 6-10, 2024 - Kia Oval, London

England Men's Test Squad

The England Men's selection panel has announced a 14-member squad for the series against Sri Lanka. The squad includes a blend of experienced players and exciting new talent:

• Gus Atkinson (Surrey)
• Shoaib Bashir (Somerset)
• Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
• Jordan Cox (Essex)
• Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
• Dan Lawrence (Surrey)
• Ollie Pope (Surrey) – Captain
• Matthew Potts (Durham)
• Joe Root (Yorkshire)
• Jamie Smith (Surrey)
• Olly Stone (Nottinghamshire)
• Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
• Mark Wood (Durham)

Key Points

• Captaincy: Ollie Pope steps in as captain for the series, leading England in the absence of Ben Stokes.
• Notable Absences: Ben Stokes and Zak Crawley are unavailable due to injuries.
• New Faces: Jordan Cox receives his first Test call-up after a standout domestic season.
• Returning Players: Olly Stone makes his return to the Test squad after a long injury layoff.

Sri Lanka Men's Test Squad

Sri Lanka has also announced their squad for the tour, featuring a blend of seasoned players and emerging talent:

• Dhananjaya de Silva (Captain)
• Dimuth Karunaratne
• Nishan Madushka
• Pathum Nissanka
• Kusal Mendis (Vice-Captain)
• Angelo Mathews
• Dinesh Chandimal
• Kamindu Mendis
• Sadeera Samarawickrama
• Asitha Fernando
• Vishwa Fernando
• Kasun Rajitha
• Lahiru Kumara
• Nisala Tharaka
• Prabath Jayasuriya
• Ramesh Mendis
• Jeffrey Vandersay
• Milan Rathnayake

Key Points

• Captaincy: Dhananjaya de Silva leads the side, with Kusal Mendis as vice-captain.
• Uncapped Players: Milan Rathnayake and Nisala Tharaka are included in the squad, with Rathnayake seeking his first international cap.
• Pace Attack: Sri Lanka's pace attack will be led by Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, and Lahiru Kumara, with Angelo Mathews offering additional experience.

Series Preview

This series between England and Sri Lanka is set to be a fascinating contest. England, under new leadership, will aim to demonstrate their depth and adaptability despite the absence of key players like Stokes and Crawley. The series also offers a great opportunity for the younger players and those returning from injury to cement their places in the Test team.

Sri Lanka, while missing some big names, boasts a squad rich in experience and talent. They will look to challenge England in their own backyard, using their skilled bowling attack and seasoned campaigners to upset the hosts.

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Conclusion

The Sri Lanka tour of England 2024 promises to be an enthralling contest between two competitive sides. England, with a new captain at the helm, will be eager to prove their resilience and depth, while Sri Lanka will look to make a statement on English soil. With both teams bringing a mix of seasoned veterans and exciting young talent, cricket enthusiasts are in for a treat as they witness a series filled with drama, skill, and passion. Whether it's the experienced hands of Joe Root or the promising potential of Jordan Cox, this series is set to offer something for everyone.

©Cricket World 2024