England tour to Sri Lanka 2021 [Preview]

England is scheduled to tour Sri Lanka in the month of January to play two-match Test series. Sri Lanka is currently playing two-match series in South Africa and will be keen to start their home season on a positive note.

Joe Root and co. have arrived in Sri Lanka and will go through quarantine period in Hambantota. The selectors have announced 16-man squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. All-rounder Ben Stokes and pacer Jofra Archer have been rested for the two-match Test series. Uncapped batsman Daniel Lawrence has earned his maiden call-up to the Test squad for Sri Lanka series.

James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Olly Stone and Mark Wood are pace options included in the Test squad, while Moeen Ali, Jack Leach and Dominic Bess are three spinners for the two-match series.

The visitors have enjoyed successful period by beating West Indies and Pakistan in Test series played at home this summer.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka might bring more spinners for this two-match Test series. Opener Dimuth Karunratne will lead the side for this home series. All-rounder Angelo Matthews will certainly be fit for the two-match series against England. Former Sri Lankan captain missed South Africa series due to hamstring injury.

Dhananjaya de Silva sustained a muscle tear in his thigh and will miss the two-match series against England. Batting all-rounder will be out of action for atleast four weeks.

In the batting department, the onus will be on the experienced trio of Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Matthews and Kusal Perera to do the bulk of the scoring. Since 1^st Jan 2019, Dimuth Karunaratne has topped the batting charts for Sri Lanka in Test cricket with 751 runs at an average of 35.76. Left-hander has smashed one century and four half-centuries in this period.

Pugnacious opener Kusal Perera has shown excellent form for the side in red-ball cricket. Since 1^st Jan 2019, Perera has accumulated 418 runs in 13 innings at an average of 38.00, which includes one century and three half-centuries to his name.

Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thiramanne and Kusal Mendis are experienced players for Sri Lanka for this two-match Test series. Niroshan Dickwella will be premier wicket-keeper for the side for this home series.

Minod Bhanuka, Asitha Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga have already made their Test debuts for Sri Lanka in South Africa series. The trio will be keen to make an impression with bat and ball against England.

Uncapped batsman Santhush Gunathilake and pacer Dilshan Madushanka have earned their maiden call-ups to the Test squad for England series.

In the bowling department, the onus will be on the likes of Suranga Lakmal and Vishwa Fernando to lead the way with new-ball. Wanindu Hasaranga, Lasith Embuldeniya and Dilruwan Perera are three spinners picked for this home series.

Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara and Dinesh Chandimal sustained injuries in the ongoing tour of South Africa and are expected to regain full fitness for England series.

The opening game of the Test series will be played at Galle International Cricket from 14^th to 18^th January. The second and final game will be played at the same venue from 22 to 26^th January.