Thirimanne stakes Sri Lanka Test claim with century

Left-hander Lahiru Thirimanne rode his luck to score a fine century and virtually assure a first Test cap when Sri Lanka take on England in Southampton next week.

Left-hander Lahiru Thirimanne rode his luck to score a fine century and virtually assure a first Test cap when Sri Lanka take on England in Southampton next week. © AFP

The 21-year-old made 104 with 15 boundaries as the tourists reached 324 for four on a rain-interrupted first day of their three-day match against Essex at Chelmsford. Sri Lanka need a new opener after skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan broke his thumb when making 193 at Lord's in the drawn second Test at Lord's.
Thirimanne did receive one slice of luck when he was dropped at third slip by Tom Westley when surprised by the additional bounce of left-arm paceman Reece Topley.
It proved a costly miss as Thirimanne found his touch to score freely both sides of the wicket, either side of opening partner Tharanga Paranavitana being caught behind off Tymal Mills.
The first wicket fell at 71 and paved the way for Kumar Sangakkara to inflict further punishment on an inexperienced Essex attack which included Tom Craddock, a 21-year-old leg-spinner on a two-month trial.
Sangakkara reached a half-century with the aid of nine boundaries and shared in a stand of 152 in 36 overs with Thirimanne.
Sangakkara went on to finish the day on 148 not out, striking 23 fours and one six.

AFP

England and Sri Lanka draw second Test

London: Alastair Cook scored his third century in four Test innings but England had to settle for a draw in the second match of their series against Sri Lanka at Lord's on Tuesday.

Alastair Cook celebrates reaching 100 runs not out against Sri Lanka during the second innings on the fifth day of the second Test cricket match at Lord's in London. England and Sri Lanka drew the second Test at Lord's on Tuesday, a result that left England 1-0 up in this three-match series. © AFP

Sri Lanka, set an imposing victory target of 343, finished on 127 for three with 15 overs left on the fifth and final day -- the earliest the sides could agree a draw.
This result left England 1-0 up heading into the third and final Test at the Rose Bowl starting on June 16.
That match could see Sri Lanka without captain Tillakaratne Dilshan, who had his thumb broken by fast bowler Chris Tremlett while making a man-of-the-match winning 193 in the tourists' first innings at Lord's.
"We thought we had a chance (of winning) if we took early wickets," said England captain Andrew Strauss at the post-match presentation ceremony.
"We needed something special to happen and it didn't quite happen for us.
"It wasn't the best Test match we have ever played but we move onto the Rose Bowl and hopefully we can make it 2-0."
The highest score ever made in the fourth innings to win a Test at Lord's is 344 for one, needing 342, by the West Indies against England in 1984.
There was never a realistic chance of Sri Lanka reaching a similar target, with the more immediate question whether they could avoid losing all 10 wickets in the 58 overs left when their second innings started.
Sri Lanka had, after all, been routed for just 82 in under 25 overs in Cardiff as England won the first Test by an innings and 14 runs.
But they held out with England frustrated as much by the 63 overs lost in the match to bad weather as by the tourists' batting.
"I'm really happy I performed after Cardiff," said Dilshan, whose innings surpassed Sidath Wettimuny's 190 in 1984 as the highest individual score by a Sri Lankan in a Lord's Test. "I'm really enjoying the way I'm batting now."
But the opener's joy was tempered by the prospect of missing the series finale. "We have 10 days until the next Test. The doctors advise to rest for three to four weeks but we'll see how we go.
"At the moment, I believe I'm going to miss the last Test but we'll see over the next couple of days."
England's hopes of a Cardiff repeat had been bolstered when former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara (12), opening in place of Dilshan, cut giant fast bowler Chris Tremlett to Eoin Morgan at backward point.
Sangakkara may have a Test average of over 56, but his exit continued a poor run of scores in England where his corresponding average is just above 26.
By contrast, Mahela Jayawardene's previous two Tests at Lord's had both yielded hundreds.
But he could only manage 25 on Tuesday before edging a Stuart Broad outswinger to fourth slip, where Kevin Pietersen held a sharp diving catch.
Occasional medium-pacer Jonathan Trott gave England renewed hope when he had durable opener Tharanga Paranavitana lbw for 44.
Sri Lanka were now 96 for three, with 25 overs left.
But an England attack missing injured Ashes star James Anderson couldn't manage another wicket, with Thilan Samaraweera 17 not out and Prasanna Jayawardene 12 not out at stumps.
Earlier, England made 335 for seven declared in a second innings featuring Cook's 106 and Ian Bell's 57 not out.
Left-handed opener Cook's century was his third in four Test innings following 189 against Australia in Sydney, 133 in Cardiff and 96 in the first innings of this match.
He was eventually stumped by Prasanna Jayawardene off impressive left-arm spinner Rangana Herath (three for 87) to end a five-half-hour innings.
It had looked as if England would bat through Tuesday's morning session without losing a wicket.
But, shortly before lunch, an increasingly fluent Pietersen was bowled by Herath for 72 to end a third-wicket partnership of 127 with Cook.

AFP

Strauss promises no let-up in Lanka Test

England captain Andrew Strauss has vowed his side "will push on" as they look to build on their stunning series-opening win against Sri Lanka when the second Test starts at Lord's on Friday.

Andrew Strauss has vowed his side "will push on" as they look to build on their stunning series-opening win against Sri Lanka when the second Test starts at Lord's on June 3. © AFP

Strauss's men dismissed the tourists for just 82 inside 25 overs to win a rain-marred first Test by an innings and 14 runs in Cardiff on Monday.
Victory at Lord's, the Middlesex opening batsman's home ground, will give England an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
But Strauss told England to be wary of a Sri Lanka side still smarting from the embarrassment of such an unlikely loss.
"We're pretty buoyant after the way we managed to get the victory at the end there in Cardiff but we're also aware that it's right back to square one again here at Lord's," Strauss told Sky Sports at Lord's on Thursday, as he reflected on a third straight innings win after Ashes triumphs in Melbourne and Sydney.
"I don't think any of us want to take our foot off the pedal now."
"We've got to push on and keep challenging ourselves to get better and better. We know that Lord's generally is a good wicket."
"You've got to fight hard for your wickets and it's usually five days of very hard work if you want to win a Test match."
The 34-year-old is anticipating a renewed challenge from Sri Lanka.
"You always expect a team to come out fighting," he said.
"I'm sure they would have been disappointed to be bowled out on that last day and with the quality of players they have they'll want to prove a point or two, so we're expecting a pretty strong fightback from them.
"We've got to make sure we're better."
Meanwhile, he said England had yet to decide between seamers Steven Finn and Jade Dernbach when it came to taking the place vacated by injured Ashes star James Anderson, even though Finn would be playing on his home ground and Dernbach is uncapped.
"We're very excited by both. We haven't seen a lot of Jade but he's been very impressive both for the Lions and when he's been amongst the squad.
"And we all know what Steven Finn can do -- he's been a quality performer for us over the last 12 months.
"I think we've got some good strength in depth and whoever gets the final nod will do a good job, I'm sure."
Turning to the batting, Strauss praised Jonathan Trott, whose good form continued with a double ton in Cardiff, while insisting runs were around the corner for Kevin Pietersen who once again fell cheaply to a left-arm spinner.
"He's been a real rock for us at number three -- not just the runs he's scored but the manner in which he scores them," Strauss said of Trott.
"It's very low-risk, calms everyone down in the dressing room and it infuriates opposition players, which is great as well."
As for Pietersen, he added: "We all get asked questions throughout our careers. You've got to come up with answers to them.
"Kevin's come up with plenty of answers in the past to the challenges he's been thrown and he'll do so again."
If England sweep this series 3-0 they will rise above South Africa and into second place in the International Cricket Council Test rankings.
England, who have never been number one, face table-toppers India later in the British summer in a four-Test series.
AFP

England on course to reclaim second spot in ICC Test rating

Dubai: England's stunning victory against Sri Lanka in the first Test in Cardiff has kept them on course to reclaim second position on the ICC Test Championship table for the first time in more than three years. =

The first Test between England and Sri Lanka in Cardiff saw players from both the sides go up the ICC Player Rankings for their performances. © AFP

Although the Test Championship table will be updated only at the end of the series, a 3-0 series win will put England one ratings point ahead of South Africa. England last occupied the second position in November 2007.
England players Chris Tremlett, Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell, who engineered the stunning an innings and 14-run victory over Sri Lanka, also achieved their career-best rankings in the list released on Tuesday.
Swann, who bagged 4/16 in the second innings to finish with figures of 7/94, has strengthened his second position on the ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers, which is still headed by Dale Steyn of South Africa.
Tremlett, who claimed 4/40 in the second innings to earn match figures of 5/121, has gained seven places and is now on a career-best ranking of 27th.
Among the Test batsmen, man of the match Jonathan Trott, who scored 203, has moved up one place to join former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara in third position.
Ian Bell was also rewarded for his innings of 103 not out with a jump of three places to the 18th position for the first time in his career.
Skipper Alastair Cook also earned 15 ratings points for his innings of 133 which has put him on 818 ratings points and just 38 points behind the pair of Trott and Sangakkara.
Sri Lanka opener Tharanga Paranavithana and wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardena moved up one place to 44th spot and six places to 51st position respectively.

PTI

Dernbach gets England call for 2nd Test

Cardiff: Uncapped Surrey seamer Jade Dernbach was called up into a 12-man England squad on Tuesday for the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's starting on Friday after James Anderson was forced out with injury.

Jade Dernbach has been called up into a 12-man England squad for the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's after James Anderson was forced out with injury. © AFP

Anderson suffered a side strain during the course of England's first Test win and the swing bowler was not on the field when Sri Lanka were shot out for just 82 at Sophia Gardens here on Monday to give the hosts an innings and 14 run victory that left them 1-0 up in this three-match series. Dernbach was the only addition to the England squad, having seen off the challenge of the already-capped Ajmal Shahzad and Graham Onions and will now compete with Middlesex fast bowler Steven Finn, left out in Cardiff, for a place in the side at Lord's.
The 25-year-old Dernbach has yet to play for any senior England team despite being called up to the one-day squad for the World Cup quarter-final against Sri Lanka in March.
Dernbach wasn't selected to for that match but starred for the second-string England Lions by taking nine wickets against Sri Lanka in a recent tour match.
His inclusion means five players in England's 12 man squad -- captain Andrew Strauss, batsmen Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen and wicketkeeper Matt Prior are the others -- were born in South Africa, with Trott, Pietersen and Dernbach all educated in the Republic.
England hope to have Anderson fit in time for the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at the Rose Bowl, starting on June 16 and national selector Geoff Miller said: "It's obviously disappointing to lose Jimmy Anderson for the next Test as he is world-class and the leader of our attack.
"But we're fortunate to have a healthy stock of pace bowlers at present. We're hopeful Jimmy will be available for the third Test but in the meantime we're excited by Jade Dernbach's inclusion.
"Jade is a talented young bowler and after excelling with the England Performance Programme over the winter he enjoyed considerable success with the ball against Sri Lanka while playing for the England Lions prior to the first Test," former England off-spinner Miller added.
England 12-man squad:
Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior (wkt), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Chris Tremlett, Steven Finn, Jade Dernbach
AFP

Dilshan stunned after Eng's surprise win

London: Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan was at a loss to explain his side's slump to 82 all out that handed England a stunning innings victory in the first Test on Monday.

Sri Lanka were bowled for a paltry 82 runs in their second innings, their their lowest total in England to date. © AFP

This first of a three-match series appeared to be meandering towards a rain-affected draw when England, after the final day's morning session was washed out, declared on 496 for five - a first innings lead of 96.
But Sri Lanka, whose strength would appear to be their batting, were then dismissed in under 25 overs to give England an innings and 14-run win. The experienced top-order trio of Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene managed just 29 runs between them.
"It's very difficult to explain, I can't believe we got out in just 25 overs with such a good batting lineup like we have," Dilshan told reporters after seeing Sri Lanka bowled out for their lowest Test total in England, beating their 141 in Birmingham five years ago.
"We lost the match because we batted really badly today," he added after England fast bowler Chris Tremlett (four for 40) and off-spinner Graeme Swann (four for 16) more than made up for the absence of James Anderson, who had been ruled out from bowling again in this match on Saturday with a side strain.
"Our batting lineup has guys like Mahela (Jayawardene), Kumar (Sangakkara), Thilan (Samaraweera) and myself.
"We are experienced players and we need to regroup as soon as possible and come back for the next Test (at Lord's) on Friday."
Former captains Jayawardene and Sangakkara joined the tour squad late after both played in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Dilshan, though, refused to blame the pair's IPL stints for their batting failures in Cardiff.
"Mahela and Sanga came here late but they can adjust quickly to this format of the game. Unfortunately, things went wrong.
"It was a very good wicket with a little bit of turn and a bit of bounce; it was a very good track. But we didn't bat well, that was the main issue.
"This was England's first Test since they completed a 3-1 Ashes series win in Australia in January.They have been playing very good cricket the last few years. In the last six or seven months they have beaten Australia in Australia and they have beaten Australia here," Dilshan said.
England are aiming to overhaul India, whom they welcome to the UK after the Sri Lanka series, at the top of the International Cricket Council Test rankings but Dilshan added: "You can't say from today's performance they are the best team. We will see what happens in the next couple of matches."
Meanwhile, Dilshan insisted now was not the time to let rip at his team.
"I am really calm, I can't be angry," he said.
"It will be difficult to forget this Test match but we have to stick together as a team. We can regroup and come back for the Lord's Test in a positive mind and then we can play some good cricket there."

Tremlett, Swann bowl Eng to thrilling win

Chris Tremlett inspired England to a sensational victory as they defied the elements to beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 14 runs in the first Test at Sophia Gardens on Monday.

Chris Tremlett inspired England to a sensational victory as they defied the elements to beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 14 runs in the first Test. © AFP

Sri Lanka were skittled out for just 82 in their second innings, with fast bowler Tremlett taking the first three wickets to fall on his way to a return of four for 40 in 10 overs on the final day. Off-spinner Graeme Swann followed up with four wickets for 16 runs in seven overs as Sri Lanka's dramatic collapse continued.
Stuart Broad finished off the match with two wickets in three balls, the tourists' second innings ending in the 25th over in under two dramatic hours.
"I don't think any of us thought it was hugely possible to get this result, but we knew we could have 50 overs to apply some pressure," England captain Andrew Strauss told Sky Sports.
"There was some outstanding bowling from Chris Tremlett with the new ball, Stuart Broad as well, with Graeme Swann backing them up," he added after England went 1-0 up in this three-Test series.
"We were on the receiving end of a similar result in Adelaide four years ago, and you can never relax in this game."
England's victory in their first Test since a 3-1 Ashes triumph on Australia was achieved despite rain, which fell throughout this match, washing out nearly a whole day's play in total.
And the win came despite England being without James Anderson, who was ruled out from bowling in the remainder of this match on Saturday with a side strain.
Tremlett struck sixth ball to have Tharanga Paranavitana well caught low down at first slip by Strauss.
But it was all the 6ft 7in Surrey paceman's own work when he caught and bowled Sri Lanka skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan after a review confirmed the batsman had gloved a lifting delivery back to the bowler.

Graeme Swann followed up with four wickets for 16 runs in seven overs as Sri Lanka's dramatic collapse continued. © AFP

The experienced duo of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene hung around until tea.
But both former captains fell shortly afterwards.
The hostile Tremlett removed Mahela Jayawardene with the aid of a Strauss slip catch before Thilan Samaraweera played on to Swann for nought.
Sangakkara was then held by Strauss off Swann and 43 for five soon became 43 for seven.
Prasanna Jayawardene, who had defied England with a century in Sri Lanka's first innings 400, fell for just three when he was given out on review, after gloving an attempted hook off Tremlett through to wicket-keeper Matt Prior.
England then reduced Sri Lanka to 52 for eight when Rangana Herath, swinging wildly, was lbw to Swann.
Test debutant Thisara Perera, primarily a seamer, top-scored in the innings with 20 before he was brilliantly caught by a diving Ian Bell at short leg off Broad.
And two balls later Broad, whose Ashes tour was cut short by a side injury, had Suranga Lakmal looping a catch to Alistair Cook in the slips to complete an improbable victory in equally unexpected bright sunshine.
There seemed little chance of England forcing a win after rain washed out the whole of Monday's morning session and prevented play from resuming until 3.00pm local time (1400GMT).
England then added just five runs to their overnight total.
Strauss declared on 496 for five as soon as Ian Bell, who resumed on 98, completed a 159-ball hundred featuring a six and 11 fours.
Bell's was the third century of an England innings that saw his Warwickshire team-mate Jonathan Trott score 203 and opener Alastair Cook 133.
Trott, now second only to Australia great Sir Donald Bradman in the all-time Test batting averages, was named man-of-the-match.
"I don't pay attention to my average, I just want to contribute to the team," Trott said ahead of the second Test, whicn starts at Lord's on Friday.
Meanwhile a dejected Dilshan added: "I'm really disappointed. "We have to forget about it now and regroup and play some good cricket at Lord's."
AFP

Ton-up Prasanna puts Sri Lanka on top

Cardiff: Prasanna Jayawardene's hundred left Sri Lanka well-placed against England on the second day of the first Test on Friday.

Prasanna Jayawardene's hundred left Sri Lanka well-placed on the second day of the first Test. © AFP

The wicketkeeper's 112 was the cornerstone of Sri Lanka's first innings 400, a total that appeared some way off when he came in at 159 for four.
Sri Lanka then collected a prize scalp shortly before the close when England captain Andrew Strauss edged Suranga Lakmal, who might not have been playing but for injuries to first-choice seamers Dilhara Fernando and Nuwan Pradeep, to Mahela Jayawardene at second slip for 20.
At stumps, England were 47 for one -- a deficit of 353.
Ashes hero Alastair Cook was 24 not out and nightwatchman James Anderson, unable to bowl for periods on Friday because of a back and side strain, unbeaten on one in England's first Test since completing a 3-1 series win in Australia in January.
Sri Lanka were faltering when Prasanna Jayawardene took guard but the 31-year-old, whose Test career has been revived by the decision of former captain Kumar Sangakkara to give up the gloves, was undaunted.
"This is my first Test in England so I am very happy," Prasanna Jayawardene said after batting for more than four hours. "I love handling pressure.
"This is a new challenge but the management trust me and I showed that," he added of his promotion to No 6.
Prasanna Jayawardene gave just one chance before reaching his century when, on 89, he edged off-spinner Graeme Swann only for first slip Strauss to drop the sharp catch.
The keeper played a stroke worthy of Mahela Jayawardene (no relation), when he cover-drove Swann for four to reach 96.
Then a legside three off fast bowler Chris Tremlett took him to a third Test hundred, and first against England, off 147 balls with a dozen boundaries.
England were frustrated Friday by the controversial review system.
They twice thought they had all-rounder Farveez Maharoof lbw only to fail on review both times.
That meant they had no reviews left but there was more replay torment ahead.
Rangana Herath had made 10 when he edged Tremlett to Strauss. However, the batsman stood his ground and the umpires referred the decision to Australia's Rod Tucker.
The third umpire, as often happens in cases of low catches, decided there was enough doubt to rule in the batsman's favour.
Prasanna Jayawardene was well supported by Test debutant Thisara Perera and Herath in eighth and ninth wicket stands of 68 and 51 respectively that compounded England's agony.
He was eventually out when caught behind off seamer Stuart Broad, making his comeback to Test cricket after a stomach injury in Adelaide in November ruled him out of most of the Ashes.
The 24-year-old Broad, in returning two for 113 on Friday, became the second youngest England bowler after Ian Botham to take 100 Test wickets.
"I would rather have done it when they were 90 for one," Broad said of his milestone.
"We are still in a decent position but Sri Lanka batted fantastically well in foreign conditions and applied themselves brilliantly."
Sri Lanka resumed Friday on 133 for two after skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan (50), who won the toss, and Sangakkara (11) had exited late on Thursday's rain-marred first day.
Mahela Jayawardene failed to add to his overnight four and he was soon followed back into the pavilion by opener Tharanga Paranavitana, who made a valuable 66.
Thilan Samaraweera rode his luck before Anderson had him caught by second slip Swann for 58 to end a stand of 84 with Prasanna Jayawardene.
At 243 for five, England, would have reckoned on running through the rest of the batting but Prasanna Jayawardene had other ideas.

England fight back against Sri Lanka

Cardiff: England took two wickets late on a rain-marred opening day against Sri Lanka after the tourists threatened to make an ideal start to the first Test at Sophia Gardens on Thursday.

James Anderson (C) celebrates taking the wicket of Kumar Sangakkara (R), during Day 1 of the 1st Test cricket match at Swalec Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. England took two wickets late on a rain-marred opening day against Sri Lanka after the tourists threatened to make an ideal start to the first Test. © AFP

Sri Lanka, who closed on 133 for two, were 93 for nought before they lost captain Tillakaratne Dilshan (50) and former skipper Kumar Sangakkara (11) to close on 114 for two.
Tharanga Paranavitana was 58 not out and Mahela Jayawardene unbeaten on four after rain meant only 48 out of a scheduled 90 overs were possible on the first day of this three-Test series.
Left-handed opener Paranavitana, who cut Chris Tremlett for four to bring up his fifty, has so far batted for more than three-and-a-half hours, facing 154 balls including six boundaries.
Dilshan reined himself in after winning the toss but still made fifty off 92 balls, with seven fours, and during his innings he became the ninth Sri Lanka batsman to score 4,000 Test runs.
But two balls after reaching his half-century he tried to cut a ball from off-spinner Swann that was too close to him and played on.
Swann, who often takes a wicket early in his spell, finished the day with impressive figures of one for 12 in eight overs.
Dilshan's departure ended an opening stand of 93 that gave Sri Lanka a solid foundation in what was their first Test outside the subcontinent since they toured the West Indies in 2008.
Former captain Sangakkara then got off the mark with a typically elegant cover-driven four off James Anderson.

Tillakaratne Dilshan and Tharanga Paranavitana gave Sri Lanka a solid start. © AFP

But not long afterwards the Lancashire seamer had his man when England appealed for caught behind against Sangakkara.
Pakistan's Aleem Dar, widely regarded as one of the world's best umpires, ruled in the batsman's favour and that led England, who were convinced Sangakkara had edged through to wicket-keeper Matt Prior, to call for a review.
Rod Tucker took his time and, although replay pictures did not appear totally conclusive, there appeared to be enough sound for the Australian third umpire to give Sangakkara out.
Earlier, Anderson produced a miserly opening spell of seven overs for seven runs, including two maidens, but was unable to induce a chance despite repeatedly beating the bat.
Stuart Broad, playing his first Test since a stomach injury in November cut short his Ashes involvement, was more expensive.
His first four overs cost 18 runs, with Paranavitana glancing him for four and Dilshan off-driving him in textbook fashion for a boundary.
And when Broad returned, Dilshan punished a wide ball with a flashing square-cut that sped to the rope.

England wary of Sri Lanka threat

Ashes-winners England head into the first Test against Sri Lanka on Thursday insisting they won't take their injury-hit visitors lightly.

Although they won both their warm-up matches, Sri Lanka's prospects for the first Test have been dealt a double blow by injuries to seamers Nuwan Pradeep (ligament) and Dilhara Fernando (knee). © AFP

If England sweep the series 3-0, they will move up into second place in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings.
Since England moved to staging seven Tests in a home summer in 2000 they have not lost an early season series.
Sri Lanka arrived in England without star-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who has retired completely, and fast bowler Lasith Malinga, who has quit Tests on injury grounds.
Although they won both their warm-up matches, Sri Lanka's prospects for the first Test have been dealt a double blow by injuries to seamers Nuwan Pradeep (ligament) and Dilhara Fernando (knee).
Pradeep's injury is so serious he is set to return home for six to eight weeks while Fernando is struggling to be fit for Thursday.
But England captain Andrew Strauss, in what will be his side's first Test match since they won the Ashes 3-1 in Australia in January, dismissed all suggestions of a "homecoming".
"We achieved quite an important goal for us as a side to win out there in Australia but our goals now have turned towards this summer and beyond," he told reporters here on Wednesday.
Strauss made a century for Middlesex against Sri Lanka in the islanders' tour-opening victory and was impressed by what he saw.
"They are a very good side. In both games they have played, they have come back from difficult positions to win those games.
"We will not be taking them lightly," added Strauss, captain of the England side that suffered a 10-wicket World Cup quarter-final thrashing by Sri Lanka in Colombo in March.
As for the absence of Muralitharan, international cricket's most successful bowler of all-time, opening batsman Strauss added: "We all know what he achieved in the game and those boots are big boots to fill.
"But a lot of the time they are filled, if not by one person then by a number of different people chipping in.
"One thing about the Sri Lankans, they are always competitive and they are good, street-smart cricketers. They'll be very hard to overcome."
Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan said the loss of the in-form Pradeep had been a bitter blow.
"I'm really disappointed losing him, he's really bowled well in the IPL (Indian Premier League) and here in England.
"But I have a few youngsters who will have a chance to prove themselves at this level."
And that could mean call-ups for left-arm seamer Chanaka Welegedara and fellow seamer Suranga Lakmal.
Dilshan, added conditions meant Sri Lanka had included just one spinner, left-armer Rangana Herath, in their 12-man squad for the first Test.
"He has been bowling really well over the last few matches and he is a very experienced guy who has played a lot of Test cricket over the last few years," explained Dilshan.
Sri Lanka's top order, featuring former captains Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, both recently arrived from the IPL, as well as Dilshan himself, could certainly pose problems for England's attack.
"The experienced guys like Kumar and Mahela are used to these conditions," Dilshan said.
"It's not easy playing here early summer but as cricketers we have to take this challenge even though we haven't played outside home (Asia) for a long time. This is a good challenge for everyone."

Strauss insists England won't dwell on Ashes

	Andrew Strauss has said there will be no looked back at the Ashes as England aim for the No. 1 Test spot © AFP

The last time England's Test cricketers were all gathered together on the same field of play was at Sydney four-and-a-half months ago, when the squad parked itself on the grass, close to the spot where Chris Tremlett had earlier dismissed Australia's No. 11 Michael Beer, and celebrated the retention of the Ashes with stubbies, cigars, and reminiscences of a job well done.

On Thursday in Cardiff the team picks up where it left off. Or at least, that is the intention. Stuart Law, Sri Lanka's interim coach, has described Andrew Strauss's Test team as the "toughest deal on the planet", and to judge from the way they obliterated Australia he may have a point. Nevertheless, that was then and this is now. The onus for England is to replicate that Ashes intensity, while at the same time drawing a line under that very achievement, and turning their eyes to the future. It's the sort of challenge that they've struggled to surmount in the past.

"It is the only way we can look at it, we have got to look forward," said England's captain, Andrew Strauss. "We have got to learn lessons from what we did well in Australia and put those into practice again but our goals have shifted completely now. We achieved quite an important goal for us as a side to win out there in Australia but our goals now have turned towards this summer and beyond."

The challenge that awaits is, on the face of it, a routine one. Sri Lanka may have crushed England by 10 wickets in Colombo in their last meeting at the World Cup back in March, but the switch of formats and continents changes the dynamic significantly. Sri Lanka have not played a Test match outside of Asia since the tour of West Indies in April 2008, and with an untried captain in Tillakaratne Dilshan, and an under-rated bowling attack shorn of the retired Muttiah Muralitharan, the reluctant Lasith Malinga and even the uncapped Nuwan Pradeep, their immediate prospects are not the rosiest.

And yet, to under-estimate Sri Lanka is to invite embarrassment, as England have discovered all too often in recent meetings. Five years ago, in their first home series since the 2005 Ashes, England failed to close out a Lord's Test that they had dominated from day one, and ended up being mugged by Muralitharan on a spinning deck at Trent Bridge. Four years prior to that they were batted to a standstill by Marvan Atapattu and Mahela Jayawardene, and forced to follow on, while Jayawardene, who is returning for his fourth Test tour of England, is the sole survivor of Sri Lanka's finest hour in this country, the Oval Test victory of 1998.

Plenty of precedents of which to take note, then, and even on this current trip Sri Lanka have retained their capacity to surprise. Strauss himself ended up on the losing side for Middlesex at Uxbridge despite opening the match with a big hundred, while the England Lions suffered an even more remarkable set-back at Derby last week, when they were stunned by a final-day turnaround despite securing a first-innings lead of 227.

"They are a very good side," said Strauss. "In both games they have played they have come back from difficult positions in the match and come back to win those games. We will not be taking that lightly. They have got some very high-quality players in their ranks and we are under no illusions that we are going to have to be at our best to overcome their challenge."

Whatever early-season rust may exist for England, it is surely preferable to the end-of-odyssey exhaustion that afflicted the squad in the latter stages of the World Cup. Their replenished enthusiasm was evident as Strauss likened the reconvening to the "first day of school", but he stopped short of trumpeting the Cardiff Test as a homecoming for England's Ashes heroes. The Barmy Army have their own plans to honour the players for their efforts, but too much time and distance has elapsed for any self-congratulations.

"If we were going to have a homecoming that would have taken place a long time ago," said Strauss. "This is the start of a new cycle in a way. It is start of a very busy and difficult summer for us and it is obviously hopefully an opportunity for us to make a step forward to becoming No. 1 in the world. That excites us and I think for us to be thinking too much back to what happened in Sydney at this stage is not helpful."

	This is the start of a new cycle in a way. It is start of a very busy and difficult summer for us and it is obviously hopefully an opportunity for us to make a step forward to becoming No. 1 in the world Andrew Strauss on England's summer

Strauss himself intends to have plenty more opportunities to obsess about the Ashes in years to come, with the back-to-back series in 2013-14 his obvious end-game now that he has retired from one-day cricket. But as Nasser Hussain and Michael Vaughan proved at the tail-end of their own careers, the end when it comes can be swift and unforeseeable. All the more reason, therefore, to savour the here-and-now.

"With slightly less demands on my plate there is obviously a chance I could go on longer," he said. "I just know it is very dangerous to look too far in the future. All I can concentrate on is trying to do as well as I can for the time being, and mentally I feel very fresh. In a way it is quite a nice thing to concentrate on one format and make sure my game is in as good order as possible for one format, rather than drifting between all formats."

Come June and the start of the one-day leg of Sri Lanka's tour, Alastair Cook will be the man in the hot seat, as he seeks to justify his elevation to ODI captain despite not having featured in the side for almost 18 months. By then, however, he will have had three Tests to restate his run-scoring credentials, and while returns as prolific as his 766 runs in the Ashes might not come about every day, Strauss was confident that the forgotten hero of England's winter would settle back into the squad without a glitch.

"He's really pleased to be back among the group," said Strauss. "He's been away quite a long time and there's been quite a lot of water passed under the bridge since that Sydney Test match. He'll be really desperate to reconnect to what he was doing well in that Ashes series and there's no reason why he can't do that. We can't expect him to average 90 every series but if he can have a good series at the top of the order that makes it easier for the guys lower down."

Because of Paul Collingwood's retirement, it will not be a complete reunion for England, though the selections of Eoin Morgan and Steven Finn in the 12-man squad ensure a level of continuity that Sri Lanka cannot hope to replicate. The personnel who excelled in Australia are all present and correct. All that remains to be addressed is the attitude.

"If we drift into the summer and don't hit top gear straightaway, the No. 1 spot could seem like a long way off," said Strauss. "There's a lot of motivation now for us to take the next step. I will be very disappointed if any of the players are resting on their laurels or anything like that. But we need to hit ground running. There is no doubt about that."

England's new target, Sri Lanka's new era

Match Facts

May 26-30, Cardiff
Start time 11.00am (1000GMT)

	Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower now want their team to secure the top spot in world cricket © AFP

The Big Picture

This series is being billed as the starter before the main course of England's season. India are the major drawcard of the summer, but Sri Lanka's visit promises much interest and intrigue. It pits a home side wanting to build on one of their finest triumphs in Australia against a visiting side trying to rebuild under a new captain and coach amid more political rumblings in Sri Lankan cricket.

A lot has happened since England celebrated in Sydney and even since Sri Lanka finished second in the World Cup. The hosts now have three captains for starters, but nine of the team that played in Sydney are set to line-up in this Test. Andrew Strauss has been very keen to stress how the Ashes success was just a stepping stone, albeit an historic one, in England's quest to be No. 1 in the world. That aim could be achieved by the end of the summer if they beat both Sri Lanka and India but it won't be an easy task.

Sri Lanka come here as significant underdogs, largely due to the loss of three match-winning bowlers in Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan and Lasith Malinga. Yet England will underestimate them at their peril. They showed their fighting qualities with an impressive victory against the Lions after being forced to follow-on as Tillakaratne Dilshan, the new captain, led the way with 117 at better than a run-a-ball. Much will rest on the tone Dilshan sets as a captain and batsman.

However, with Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene in the ranks runs shouldn't be in short supply and then it will be down to a new-look bowling attack. The loss of Nuwan Pradeep is a significant blow and they can't afford Dilhara Fernando to go lame as well. It's impossible to replace Murali, but in Rangana Herath they have a steady left-arm spinner who will no doubt target Kevin Pietersen.

Although Sri Lanka haven't won a series in England they have surprised the hosts more than once. Most famously there was 1998 at The Oval, but five years ago they also won at Trent Bridge to level the series. A shared contest this time would be a fine achievement for Dilshan and a major let-down for Strauss.

Form guide

(Most recent first)

England WWLWD
Sri Lanka DDDLD

Watch out for...

In the end Eoin Morgan made a case that was too good to ignore. His 193 against the Sri Lankans at Derby secured him a Test place that appeared to have slipped away after six weeks at the IPL. Now he has the chance to make the No. 6 berth his for the foreseeable future. He is the ideal counter-attacking player to have in the middle order; someone who scores at close to a run-a-ball and can shift momentum. However, his biggest challenge will come if (or when) he walks in with England wobbling. Barring his hundred against Pakistan at Trent Bridge last year he was vulnerable against the moving ball. One thing he doesn't lack, though, is confidence and that can carry you a long way.

Tillakaratne Dilshan won't do anything in half measures. He has shown his attacking mindset already on this tour both with the bat and in the field. Much like Virender Sehwag, one session of Dilshan blazing away can set the tone for a Test match. England's bowlers won't be allowed any leeway to find their feet. As a captain he isn't a long-term option, but is determined to do things his way and that will include thinking 'outside of the box'. Against the Lions he brought himself on to bowl with the new ball and made a breakthrough. Don't be surprised to see Herath in action as soon as Pietersen walks to the middle.

Team news

The only decision for the home side is the make-up of their pace attack and it seems likely that Steven Finn will miss out. Stuart Broad is fit again after his winter injuries although he looked a little short of rhythm in the County Championship. Morgan replaces Paul Collingwood in the middle order with Ian Bell set to move to No. 5. Pietersen and Jonathan Trott will be needed for some fill-in overs at various stages.

England (probable) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Ian Bell, 6 Eoin Morgan, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Graeme Swann, 10 Chris Tremlett, 11 James Anderson

Sri Lanka have been hit with injuries to their pace attack. Pradeep is out and there are concerns over Dilhara Fernando, who is set to share the new ball with Chanaka Welegedara. Dilshan confirmed they'd picked six batsmen and five bowlers, a hint that Farveez Maharoof could play while Rangana Herath is the one spinner in their 12.

Sri Lanka (possible) 1 Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt), 2 Tharanga Paranavitana, 3 Kumar Sangakkara, 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Thilan Samaraweera, 6 Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), 7 Farveez Maharoof, 8 Thisara Perera, 9 Rangana Herath, 10 Dilhara Fernando, 11 Chanaka Welegedara

Pitch and conditions

Domestic and international pitches are often two very different beasts at Cardiff. Alarms are sometimes raised by the amount of turn for Glamorgan matches, but the groundsman keeps things safe for the internationals. Stuart Law said the pitch "looked a belter" and two years ago Australia piled up 674 for 6. The forecast, however, isn't too promising with showers forecast for the opening day and further rain over the weekend.

Stats and trivia

• Stuart Broad is currently sat on 99 Test wickets having collected just two scalps in his two Ashes Tests before injury.
• The performance of Sri Lanka's bowlers in England since 2000 is better than only Zimbabwe
• Thilan Samaraweera, overall Test average of 54.25, averages just 4.25 in England albeit from just two matches

Quotes

"They have some high quality players, some of them we don't know much about but that does not mean they are not good bowlers, we expect a stern test."
Andrew Strauss may be looking forward to the Indian challenge later this summer, but that doesn't mean England will be taking Sri Lanka lightly

"We have a few youngsters who will get a chance and it will be good for their development in international cricket. We are looking forward to a new era for Sri Lankan cricket."
Tillakaratne Dilshan believes Sri Lanka have the talent to keep moving forward in the post-Murali era

Pietersen out to silence detractors

	Kevin Pietersen wants to silence his doubters © Getty Images

Only three Tests have elapsed since Kevin Pietersen produced the highest score of his international career, an unanswerably dominant 227 against Australia in Adelaide that ended the longest run-drought of his career. Whether, however, that was a freakish deluge or the start of a new phase in his ceaselessly fascinating career is a question that looks set to dominate England's early-season agenda.

Pietersen was certainly talking the talk as he faced the press in Cardiff ahead of Thursday's first Test. With a firm desire to look to the future, but an avoidable urge to hark back to the recent past, he reiterated his ambition in all three formats of the game, while at the same time taking a swipe at those in the media whom he believes are out to get him.

In particular, he took umbrage at reports that surfaced during the World Cup that he was preparing to retire from one-day cricket. That story gathered momentum when Pietersen turned down Andy Flower's invitation to "bite the bullet" after being diagnosed with a hernia, and instead flew home from the campaign to undergo surgery - via a night out in a notorious London nightclub.

When asked if it was a mistake to be seen out on the town while his team-mates were struggling to avoid early elimination from the World Cup, Pietersen was defiant. "Not at all. I don't see why I can't spend some time with friends and family members I have not seen all winter. I was really, really down at the time and wherever I went, whatever I was going to do, it was going to make the papers. Would I do it again? Yes I would."

"I was in ridiculous amounts of pain, trying hard to get through it game-by-game," he said of his injury. "I was shocked [by Flower] because I knew the pain I was in, but it's gone, I have dealt with all that kind of stuff. I don't want to look back. Everyone tries to bring me back in press conferences but I just want to forget about stuff and continue looking forward. I am fit, very ready, and very raring to go. The bug is back."

But beyond the bravado, the doubts still linger. As England embark on the start of a new four-year cycle, with the stated aim of becoming the No. 1 nation in world cricket, Pietersen's place in the pecking order has never seemed so precarious, not least because his mindset has never been harder to second-guess. He finished the 2010 home season on the sidelines after being dropped for the first time during the one-day series against Pakistan, while his scores for Surrey this year - 30 and 48 against Cambridge MCCU, and 58 (out of 506) against Essex - are hardly definitive proof of his renewed hunger.

With England's top three of Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott set in stone, and Ian Bell firmly embedded in the middle order, Pietersen is at best the fifth batsmen out of six on the current team-sheet. With Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara scrapping hard for that final berth, it could be that such pressure is what he needs to push on towards the greatness he still believes is within his grasp.

"There is a lot of chat about all these pressures on players," said Pietersen. "I think the strength in depth in English cricket is amazing and there are probably only a couple in the team who are not under pressure and that's great.

"But there are so many people who say I'm not loving it, that cricket's not my thing anymore," he added. "I love cricket, cricket is my everything. I'm 30 years of age right now, what would I do tomorrow if I didn't have cricket? I have only achieved half of what I've achieved in the game. I want to get 10,000 Test runs, I'm only four or five hundreds away from having the most for an Englishman [22]. I'm not far from what I want to achieve in the game.

"I just want a fair crack at it, because there's a lot of people saying things about me that are not true. A lot of people writing things about me that are not true, saying I want other things. I'm 30 years of age, I want to play for another five years. I don't want any more bouts of surgery, I want to get through doing what I want to do.

"I had a bad couple of years. I went away last September to do some soul-searching and sort myself out and tick some ticks and work with people who really know me inside out, and a month later I got a double-hundred in Adelaide and averaged 60 in the Ashes and I'm back playing as well as I have ever played. I am happy where I am as a cricketer at the moment."

Whether England are happy with where he is, is another matter entirely. Six years ago, when Pietersen exploded into Test cricket with his starring role in the 2005 Ashes, he was driven by a furious desire to prove his doubters wrong, and silence all those who criticised his motives and questioned his switch of allegiance from South Africa. Now, the doubters are mounting once again, but for vastly different reasons. Nevertheless, he knows what he needs to do to secure the last word.

Morgan wins selection race

	Eoin Morgan's superb 193 for England Lions has earned him a Test place © Getty Images

Eoin Morgan has been unexpectedly named in England's squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka at Cardiff. The strong tip had been for Ravi Bopara to earn a recall to fill the No. 6 spot vacated by Paul Collingwood but Morgan, who hit 193 for the Lions this week, has stepped up after being the spare batsman in Australia. Steven Finn has also pipped Ajmal Shahzad to the reserve pace-bowler's slot, but is unlikely to play with Stuart Broad fit again after missing three Ashes Tests and part of the World Cup.

For the last few weeks the momentum has grown behind Bopara's potential recall, so Morgan's selection is a surprise. It had been thought that Bopara's decision to opt for Championship cricket ahead of the IPL - while Morgan played for Kolkata Knight Riders - earned him plenty of credit and coupled with two first-class hundreds for Essex would see him add to his 10 Test caps.

However, in terms of consistency the selectors have followed the next-cab-off-the-rank policy they favour and Morgan was one injury away from playing at any stage during the Ashes. The fact that the 10 balls he faced against Victoria on that tour made up his only first-class innings for nine months made his 193 against the Sri Lankans on Thursday and Friday even more impressive.

He had only flown back from the IPL last Saturday and had three days preparation with Middlesex and England Lions before walking to the middle with the score 162 for 4 on a green pitch at Derby. He responded with a superb innings and looked set for the second double ton of his first-class career until falling lbw. Bopara, meanwhile, had struggled to 17 while the ball was nipping around in helpful conditions.

"Ravi has been getting a lot of runs for Essex, but the controlled innings that Eoin played just gave him the nod," Geoff Miller, the national selector, said. "That innings really just showed us what he is capable of doing. It shows his strength of character."

Morgan has six Test caps under his belt having played throughout last summer, firstly as a replacement for the resting Collingwood against Bangladesh then for the injured Ian Bell against Pakistan. At Trent Bridge, against Pakistan, he struck his maiden Test hundred having come to the crease with England wobbling on 118 for 4.

His century came up with a straight six and he looked right at home. However, as the ball moved away during the rest of the series he didn't make another significant contribution and questions were asked as to whether his technique - drilled heavily in the one-day game - could stand up Test cricket. Now he's got an extended chance to silence any doubters because the place is his to lose.

With the big decision made there will be some small alterations to England's batting order. Bell, who enjoyed a superb Ashes series and crowned it with a hundred at Sydney, is expected to move up to No. 5 to take Collingwood's spot while Morgan will slot in at No. 6 where he has played all his Test matches. The preference of Morgan over Bopara means that Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen can expect to do some bowling.

The other significant decision in the squad was who replaced the injured Tim Bresnan. Given Bresnan's role of providing a pitch-up, swing option Shahzad had been favoured but the selectors have returned to Steven Finn who played the first three Ashes Tests.

"He was in the Ashes and again it's consistent," Miller said. "He's bowled well this year, he bowled well here against the Sri Lankans, and he's part of our squad. We are in a very nice position where we have a lot of quality seamers and it's hard to make that choice.

Finn hasn't taken huge hauls of wickets, but after the third day of the Lions game said he was feeling as good as ever about his game. "The figures don't suggest that I bowled particularly well, but this is probably the best I've felt this season," Finn said. "This season I've felt a lot better than before, and a marked improvement on where I was in Australia."

Finn is unlikely to make the starting eleven, however, with Broad set to resume his position having been injured in the second Ashes Test at Adelaide. Broad is a favourite of the England set-up - although his Test bowling average of 35 needs to start coming down - and it would be harsh to drop Chris Tremlett after his performances in Australia. And as the selectors have shown by naming Morgan, once someone in this England set-up they don't cast them aside quickly.

England squad Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior (wk), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Chris Tremlett, James Anderson, Steven Finn.

Dilshan hundred leads Sri Lanka's fightback

Sri Lankans 266 and 392 for 6 (Samaraweera 54*, Randiv 19*) lead England Lions 493 for 8 by 165 runs

	Tharanga Paranavitana joined his captain with a hundred to help the Sri Lankans into the lead © Getty Images

After two tough days against England Lions, the Sri Lankans put up a better fight having been asked to follow on but still face the prospect of defeat ahead of the first Test. Tillakaratne Dilshan led a much more convincing display with a brisk 117 in an opening stand of 200 with Tharanga Paranavitana who built a composed 125. However, the Lions chipped away and by the close had six wickets for their hard work with the tourists 165 ahead.

Although a defeat wouldn't be ideal, it is always important for a visiting team to have an in-form captain and Dilshan will be one of the most confident Sri Lanka batsmen. This innings followed his 123 against Middlesex, at Uxbridge, and he was above a run-a-ball for the majority of his stay. England's bowlers will have to be on the spot straight away with the new ball otherwise an innings can get a head start with Dilshan's attacking play.

He was given a life on 95 when Samit Patel spilled a chance moving to his right at gully, the second catch he has spilled in the game, and in the next over Dilshan went to his hundred from 92 balls with a sparkling cover drive which he repeated next ball.

He was eventually removed by Steven Finn, who bowled a superb eight-over spell during the afternoon session having been loose in the morning, with a delivery that climbed and brushed the glove. Dilshan doesn't have a particular weakness against the short ball, but can expect to be bombarded in the Test series. He showed today, however, that although that line of attack may eventually work, it can be a very expensive tactic.

Dilshan's innings included a top-edged six that eluded fine leg, but enough balls flew to the boundary to show he wasn't afraid of taking on bouncers. He also rarely played a shot with half measures so when edges flew over or between the slips they were travelling far too quickly for the fielders .

On a bright and breezy morning there wasn't as much help for the quick bowlers as there was on the cloudy second evening. Graham Onions beat the bat during his opening spell and Jade Dernbach, who impressed with 5 for 44 yesterday, almost made the breakthrough when Paranavitana drove short of point on 21. Later in the session Paranavitana slashed through the slips, again off Dernbach, but it was much harder work for the bowlers.

It was an important performance from the opening pair, who put on 59 in the first innings before a collapse set in. Paranavitana is the more understated of the openers but a resolute character, who began his Test career with a first-ball duck and now averages 37.

He is the perfect foil for the dashing Dilshan and the left-right combination means bowlers are always adjusting. He didn't offer a chance although became a touch nervous as the hundred approached and was almost run out on 99 before reaching three figures with a cut off Patel.

The Lions bowlers had to work hard for their success but slowly they began to arrive during the afternoon. Finn claimed a deserved second scalp when Kumar Sangakkara edged into leg stump for 17 meaning he's had precious little time in the middle ahead of the first Test. Mahela Jayawardene looked in fine touch during his 26 but recieved a good ball from Ajmal Shahzad that beat his defence. Stuart Law, the Sri Lanka coach, has said he has no concerns over his experienced pair going into the Test series.

Paranavitana's five-hour stay came to a slightly limp end when he tamely drove to point off Bopara which left the Sri Lankans four down and less than a hundred ahead. Bopara's bowling is one of the factors likely to sway Test selection in his favour so an extended run won't have done him any harm.

Dernbach struck his first blow of the innings when Dinesh Chandimal edged to first slip and James Hildreth held his second catch to remove Prasanna Jayawardene as Onions got one to nip away. Thilan Samaraweera proved a tough obstacle having been missed on 6 when Jonny Bairstow couldn't complete a stumping and reached fifty from 87 balls. Suraj Randiv, who made 76 in the first innings, flicked a tough chance to Dernbach at leg slip on 14 and the pair took their stand to 42. It could yet be an intriguing final day.

Sangakkara expects a tough series against England

 

Sri Lanka's top batsman Kumar Sangakkara has rated England as a 'very good' Test side and said the upcoming series between the two sides will be a close contest.

Sangakkara, who joined the squad after captaining the Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League, said the toughest challenge for them would be to face England's 'disciplined' bowling attack. The first of the three-match Test series starts at Cardiff Thursday.


'As a Test side, England are very, very good,' Sangakkara was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.


'What I noticed most in the Ashes was their discipline, the mechanical efficiency in the bowling department. They didn't have out-and-out pace. What they did have was a lot of control and old-fashioned hit-your-lines, hit-your-lengths bowling. That is going to be the biggest challenge for us.'


The stylish left-hander, however, said they are not overawed by the might of the English and will look to exploit the weaknesses of the hosts.


'As a batting unit also they are very good. But you always fancy that you can break through, especially with early wickets. You need to get into that middle and lower order,' he said.


When asked about who he thinks are the toughest opponents in Tests, Sangakkara said: 'Australia and England. They are just competitive. Australia may have chinks in the armour but they have that hate-losing attitude that pushes them to do something special. It took a very special effort from England to put the Ashes beyond them.'


Sri Lanka, at fourth position, are ranked a place lower than England in the rankings while India maintain the top spot.

Dernbach gives England selectors nudge

South African-born seamer Jade Dernbach made a late bid for an England spot in next week's opening Test against Sri Lanka when he took five wickets against the tourists on Friday.

Jade Dernbach made a late bid for an England spot in next week's opening Test against Sri Lanka when he took five wickets against the tourists. © AFP

Dernbach claimed 5-44 as Sri Lanka struggled to 266 all out in reply to England Lions' 493-8 declared at Derby. "Obviously we are all trying to push our own cases forward to the selectors," said Dernbach in reference to the earlier batting of Eoin Morgan (193) and Samit Patel (119).
"We have four top-quality seamers vying for one position. It's nice to put yourself on show, and coming out with five wickets has done my name no harm. It was good to show people what I'm capable of."
Sri Lanka collapsed from 59 for none to 97 for six, but recovered thanks largely to Suraj Randiv (76 not out) to muster 266.

Sri Lanka wary of English conditions

Sri Lanka's batting coach Marvan Atapattu wants the team to adjust to the conditions quickly

Sri Lanka will have to adjust quickly to the Test format as well as different wickets if they are to challenge England in their backyard, batting coach Marvan Atapattu said on Tuesday.

"The biggest challenge is to adjust to English conditions," Atapattu said as the bulk of Sri Lankan touring party left for England for a two-month tour.

Senior players Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara, as well as a few others, will join the squad later after completing their commitments in the Indian Premier League, a lucrative franchise-owned Twenty20 competition.

The IPL players will hardly get time to acclimatise as they will arrive just ahead of the second and last practice game against England Lions from 19 May.

With a new skipper in Tillakaratne Dilshan and an overhauled team management, the task will be cut out for the Sri Lankans against a side whose last Test outing saw them thrash Australia in the Ashes.

Sri Lanka last held a test series at home against the West Indies in November-December 2010 but all the three games were ruined by rain.

"We are playing a Test series after a gap of a few months. Winning the Test series in England is our aim," Atapattu added.

The Sri Lankans are set to play three Tests, a Twenty20 international and five ODIs during the England tour, which begins with a three-day practice match against Middlesex at Uxbridge from 14 May.

The first Test in Cardiff begins on 26 May.

"A (Test) win will make it easier for our preparation work for the one-day and T20 games," said Atapattu, a former Sri Lankan skipper.

The away side are also without retired spin great Muttiah Muralidaran who shaped the team's win in a one-off Test at the Oval in 1998 with a rich haul of 16 wickets.

Sri Lanka are yet to win a Test series in England with their best result so far being a 1-1 draw in 2006.

It was Muralidaran again who starred for Sri Lanka in that series, taking eight wickets in the second innings of the second Test at Trent Bridge to shape a 134-run win for his team.

Atapattu however played down the absence of the spin legend, saying the tour offered a fine opportunity for fringe players like Farveez Maharoof and Kaushal Silva to prove their credentials.

Maharoof, currently playing county cricket for Lancashire, made an impressive start to the season with a hundred on his debut against Somerset at Liverpool.

Silva, 24, is uncapped but has an impressive first-class average of 45 and has been picked up as a back-up for Prasanna Jayawardene.

Trott hails forward thinking move

Jonathan Trott played a part in England's Ashes win in Australia

Jonathan Trott has hailed England's decision to opt for three separate captains as a "forward thinking" move.

England will go into their upcoming home season with Andrew Strauss still captain of the Test team but, having retired from one-day internationals, it will be down to Alastair Cook, his opening partner in the five-day game, to lead the side in 50-over cricket.

Meanwhile Stuart Broad, despite a lack of senior captaincy experience, has been drafted in by the selectors to replace Paul Collingwood as captain of England's world champion Twenty20 team.

Conventional cricket wisdom has it that one captain across all three international formats is the ideal set-up.

But top-order batsman Trott, named as England's most valuable player during the northern hemisphere winter for his Test and one-day exploits, told Sky Sports on Monday: "It's forward thinking in that other cricket boards might not have the guts to do it.

"If you look at all three guys, their cricketing nous is very, very good."

Trott, who scored 445 runs during the victorious 3-1 Ashes campaign triumph in Australia, and his England teammates are now turning their attention to home series against Sri Lanka and India.

"Everyone tends to raise their game when they come to England," said Trott. "It's important to hit the ground running and set the tone for the summer.

"There's a lot of expectation after the Ashes, and from us as well."

Dilshan to reach England by May 11

Tillakaratne Dilshan, Sri Lanka's newly-appointed captain, will leave the IPL early and join the national squad in England on May 11, three days ahead of the first tour game against Middlesex. The decision was reached after negotiations between the BCCI and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in the last week.

"He will be there on May 11," Nishantha Ranatunga, the SLC secretary, said, confirming the news.

The early departure will mean Dilshan will miss his franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore's last four league matches, as well as the knockouts, if they get that far. He will be available for Bangalore's two home games on May 6 and May 8. His form in the IPL so far has been poor; he has scored only 120 runs in seven innings at a strike-rate of 103.44.

The development was positive as far as Dilshan was concerned after he had expressed a strong desire to arrive in England early for his first assignment as Test captain. Dilshan wanted to spend time with the rest of the squad, as well as the new coach Stuart Law, appointed in an interim position for the England tour after Trevor Bayliss' contract came to an end with the World Cup.

Five Sri Lanka players will stay on in the IPL and miss the Middlesex game. The board called in Farveez Maharoof and wicketkeeper Kaushal Silva to provide cover for them. Nuwan Pradeep, the fast bowler who has not yet played for Bangalore in the IPL, is also expected to arrive early in England.