England will attempt to secure a series victory over Sri Lanka by taking the second Test in Kandy this week.
Here, we look at five areas of discussion.
Stokes takes over at three
After Moeen Ali’s double failure in Galle, England have turned to Ben Stokes to paper over the yawning gap at number three. It is a bold, ambitious move that seems to have Trevor Bayliss’ fingerprints all over it given the Australian’s admiration for the all-rounder’s technique and desire to having an aggressive strokemaker at first drop.
Stokes is sure to be game for the challenge, despite playing most of his career in the middle order and carrying the burden of being England’s third seamer. In the years since Jonathan Trott departed the scene, the selectors have searched in vain for a permanent replacement…has the answer been under their noses the whole time?
Is Ben Stokes the answer at No. 3?
Turn, turn, turn
Pre-series expectations were for rampant spin in Galle and a more seam-friendly surface at Pallakele Stadium. The first Test played against type, partially due to frequent showers preventing the pitch from baking under the sun, and now the second is expected to do likewise.
England were surprised at how bare and dry the deck appeared two days out from the Test and there was confirmation from the home camp that a spinning top had been requested and delivered. Expect another game dominated by the slow men.
Moeen Ali was one of the spinners who enjoyed the first Test.
Foakes auditioning for full-time role
When Jos Buttler described Ben Foakes’ appearance in the series opener as “the best debut ever” it spoke volumes about the impact the Surrey wicketkeeper had made on his new team-mates. In confirming he would continue behind the stumps regardless of Jonny Bairstow’s fitness, captain Joe Root was both rewarding the new man’s efforts and offering him a chance to lock down the role for the foreseeable future.
Another smooth outing with the gloves and some more handy lower-order runs may be enough to buy him a long spell in the side and redefine Bairstow’s role.
Foakes scored an impressive debut century.
Take two for Burns
Rory Burns’ hard-earned and long-awaited Test debut was a source of frustration on a personal level. Having played with an assured touch in the warm-up fixtures, he fell twice in soft circumstances – strangled down the leg-side in his first knock and then run out attempting an ambitious single.
In his next attempt he must work harder to make sure the bowlers have to earn his wicket. Burns looks a sound pick at the top of the order and should be afforded plenty of patience, but a long stay in the middle should help settle him on the big stage.
Hosts hoping for a hero
Sri Lankan cricket waved goodbye to champion left-arm spinner Rangana Herath last week, as he joined greats like Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Muttiah Muralitharan in retirement. It is neither a surprise nor a secret that the current squad cannot hold a candle to those illustrious names but – in home conditions – there is still a chance for someone to turn in a match-winning performance.
Angelo Mathews is the best batsman on show, Niroshan Dickwella capable of doing damage in the middle-order, while Lakshan Sandakan and Malinda Pushpakumara are vying for the chance to replace Herath as the left-arm tweaker of choice.
The first Test was Herath’s final one.
