ENG vs SL 1st Test 2024 Preview: Likely Playing XIs, Key Battles, H2H and More About England vs Sri Lanka Cricket Match in Manchester

England National Cricket team are coming out of a series victory against West Indies recently and are all set to clash in a crucial three-Test series against Sri Lanka. England are seventh on the nine-team table of the World Test Champion with a win percentage of 36.54, which is more than 30 points in comparison of what table-toppers India have got. They have a chance to miss out on the final for the consecutive third time and that is why winning all the three Test matches is very much important to them. In an unfortunate blow, England have lost their captain Ben Stokes to injury. Ollie Pope is set to lead England in his absence. Opener Zak Crawley will also miss out due to injury and is set to be replaced by Dan Lawrence.  Ollie Pope To Lead As England Cricket Team Reveals Playing XI for First Test Against Sri Lanka.

For Sri Lanka, this is their first series in England in eight years. They have won the last Test series against Bangladesh away from home and will hope to continue the momentum. Sri Lanka have added former England batter Ian Bell in their coaching team and will hope for some insights from him which will help them adapt to the conditions as early as possible. Spinners, who has always been key to the performance of Sri Lanka, is unlikely to come into play in the conditions of England and the visitors will have to find a balance between playing an extra batter and the seam attack to have enough options in need.

ENG vs SL Head-to-Head Record in Test Matches

England and Sri Lanka have taken on each other 36 times in Test cricket out of which, England have won 17 matches whereas Sri Lanka has won 8 matches. 11 matches have ended in a draw.

ENG vs SL 1st Test 2024 Key Players

ENG vs SL 1st Test 2024 Key Battles

The key battles in the ENG vs SL 1st Test 2024 match will see Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne taking on Gus Atkinson with the new ball. Other than this battle, it will be interesting to see the battle between the Ben Duckett with the Sri Lankan quicks.

ENG vs SL 1st Test 2024 Venue and Match Timing

England National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team 1st Test match of the three-match Test series will be played at the Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester on August 21 (Wednesday). The ENG vs SL game has a scheduled start time of 03:30 PM IST (Indian Standard Time). For ENG vs SL 1st Test 2024 match viewing option scroll down.

ENG vs SL 1st Test 2024 Live Telecast and Online Streaming

Sony Sports Network is the official broadcaster of the England vs Sri Lanka series in India and will telecast the match live on its channels, Fans can tune into Sony Sports Network channels for the ENG vs SL 1st Test 2024. For the ENG vs SL 1st Test 2024, live-streaming viewing option fans can tune into the SonyLIV app and website. Australia and England To Face Each Other at MCG in 2027 To Celebrate 150 Years of Test Cricket.

ENG vs SL 1st Test 2024 Likely Playing XI

England National Cricket Team (Confirmed XI): Dan Lawrence, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (c), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Mark Wood, Shoaib Bashir

Sri Lanka National Cricket Team: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama/Kamindu Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara/Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 20, 2024 06:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).