England tour of Sri Lanka 2020/21

Ashantha de Mel steps down as Sri Lanka's chief selector

Jerome Jayaratne has been appointed team manager, but there is no news yet as to the selection panel's composition
April 21, 2024

England's 2-0 victory over Sri Lanka is a terrific achievement

England have now won five successive overseas Tests, but face sterner stuff in India
April 21, 2024

Mickey Arthur bemoans poor batting after second Test goes 'horribly wrong' for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka "let it slip in one disastrous session", says coach, after second Galle defeat
April 21, 2024

Joe Root - England 'couldn't be in better place' for India challenge

Captain hails team's ability to overcome adversity after hard-fought 2-0 win
April 21, 2024

Stats - England's winning streak in SL, and Root second only to Hammond

Stats highlights from England's convincing series win in Sri Lanka
April 21, 2024

Dom Sibley's courage overcomes 'stinker' to seal series with matchwinning fifty

Opener makes technical adjustments mid-series to combat threat of left-arm spinner
April 21, 2024

Sri Lanka's batsmen, and the voice of unreason

The men do know what they need to do - if only they did it often enough
April 21, 2024

Dom Sibley breaks out of slump to help see England home

Dliruwan Perera removes Jacks Leach with 11th ball of fourth day
April 21, 2024

Lasith Embuldeniya's unsexy virtues put him on the right path

Left-arm spinner demonstrates maturity beyond his years in his seven-wicket haul
April 21, 2024

Jos Buttler: Whole team can learn from Joe Root's 'masterclass'

Misfiring batsmen can get better says wicketkeeper, after captain stands apart from rest
April 21, 2024

Determined, dominant Joe Root defies conditions to make batting look easy

The gulf between Root and his team-mates highlights his brilliance
April 21, 2024

Joe Root stars with 186 as Lasith Embuldeniya takes seven in tightly-fought contest

Lasith Embuldeniya claims all wickets to fall as England battle spin threat
April 21, 2024

Niroshan Dickwella's dance of destruction. Or creation. Or whatever it is

His 92 on Saturday was in sync with this personality: all thrusters firing all the time, no time for facts, vibes only
April 21, 2024

James Anderson's enduring class masks England fears about spin support

Oldest seamer to take a five-for in Asia shows up deficiencies of the rest of the attack
April 21, 2024

Joe Root passes Geoff Boycott as fluent batting form sets England agenda

Captain leads from front once more to lay platform in England's first innings
April 21, 2024

Joe Root leads response after Sri Lanka lay foundation in face of James Anderson six-for

He added an unbroken 70-run stand with Dilruwan after Anderson, Wood struck early on day two
April 21, 2024

James Anderson delivers another performance to treasure on day of England toil

Wickets and economy in touch conditions prove once again how versatile England's senior seamer is
April 21, 2024

Mark Wood finds relief in rare breakthrough as hard graft earns overdue reward

A solitary wicket in 44 overs in Sri Lanka was scant reward for some wholehearted efforts
April 21, 2024

Grant Flower pleased with Sri Lanka application despite 'giving them three wickets'

Batting coach praises Angelo Mathews' effort after dismal Sri Lanka display in first Test
April 24, 2024

Angelo Mathews edges day for Sri Lanka after arm-wrestle with James Anderson

All up hosts make three changes in bid to save series
April 21, 2024

Reliability of Sri Lanka's batting under scrutiny as England target 2-0 sweep

Galle pitch could spin from the outset after dry build-up
April 21, 2024
Sri Lanka vs England, 2nd Test, Galle

James Anderson recalled in place of Stuart Broad for second Test

Mark Wood picked for back-to-back Tests, with Olly Stone missing out on recall
April 21, 2024
Sri Lanka vs England, 2nd Test, Galle

Joe Root backs Zak Crawley, Dom Sibley to grow from tough initiation

Both openers failed to reach double figures in either innings of first Test
April 22, 2024

Olly Stone admits previous career doubts as he hopes for recall

Fast bowler has endured horror run of injuries but is set to play his second Test
April 21, 2024

Angelo Mathews: 'Felt like I was playing against Stuart Broad in England'

"The wicket was not offering anything for the fast bowlers but he was still moving the ball."
April 21, 2024

Rishabh Pant moves up to 13th in Test rankings; Joe Root back in top five

Marnus Labuschagne meanwhile moved past Virat Kohli to take third spot.
April 21, 2024

Kusal Mendis dropped by Sri Lanka, Dimuth Karunaratne ruled out with injury

Sri Lanka release five players from bio-bubble, including quicks Lahiru Kumara and Nuwan Pradeep
April 21, 2024

Scenarios: What India, Australia and England still need to do to make the WTC final

What the Gabba and Galle results mean for each of the three teams, and New Zealand
April 21, 2024

Made in Somerset: pride as Dom Bess, Jack Leach share 14 wickets in Galle win

Club see spinners' success in Sri Lanka as vindication of decision to prepare helpful home pitches
April 21, 2024

With Joe Root at the helm, have England fans ever had it so good?

Root's side look increasingly accomplished, bringing much-needed cheer for supporters locked down at home
April 21, 2024

Arthur laments Sri Lanka's first-innings batting tempo after Galle loss

Praises Thirimanne for his commitment, hints at a hard call on Kusal Mendis
April 21, 2024
Sri Lanka v England, 1st Test, Galle

Stats - England's winning streak in SL, and captain Root equals Cook, Strauss

Stats highlights from Galle, in which two England spinners took five-fors in a Test for the first time since 1982
April 23, 2024

Jonny Bairstow's proactive approach smooths England's path to victory

Sets out stall for winter in impressive display after year out of Test team
April 21, 2024

Jonny Bairstow, Dan Lawrence seal emphatic seven-wicket win on final morning

Few alarms for England's batsmen in final push after fourth-evening jitters
April 21, 2024

Sri Lanka's top five show their mettle - three days too late

With all of their baggage, the top order's rearguard couldn't quite offset a disastrous first innings
April 21, 2024

Jaded Jack Leach taking nothing for granted after five-wicket comeback

Spinner happy to be healthy again after successful comeback following 14-month absence
April 24, 2024
Sri Lanka vs England, 1st Test Galle

England face nervy final day after Jack Leach battles to five-for

Deficit reduced to 44 as England's spinners struggle to exert control
April 21, 2024
Sri Lanka vs England, 1st Test, Galle

Sri Lanka will hope Lahiru Thirimanne can live up to early expectations, right now

On 76* opener has the chance to do something truly monumental
April 21, 2024

Moeen Ali returns to England bubble after release from quarantine

England allrounder unlikely to be match-ready for second Test, but set to resume training
April 21, 2024
Sri Lanka vs England, 1st Test, Galle

Sri Lanka still bugged by batsman error

England have so far claimed just three wickets out of 13 with good deliveries
April 21, 2024
Sri Lanka vs England, 1st Test Galle

Joe Root posts majestic 228 but Lahiru Thirimanne stands firm to give SL hope of saving Test

England secure a lead of 286 as wickets and runs flow on third morning
April 21, 2024
Sri Lanka v England, 1st Test, Galle

Stats - Joe Root racks up the milestones, and England's run-rate in Sri Lanka

Root becomes the only England captain to score more than one double-century in away Tests
April 21, 2024

Dan Lawrence lives up to expectations as England's hot-house bears fruit again

Nurtured like a tropical plant, Lawrence's maiden innings heralds the start of a long career
April 21, 2024

Joe Root casts off the shackles of captaincy to thrive in low-profile surroundings

England skipper put the burden of his role aside in this fleet-footed, fluent and fun innings
April 21, 2024
Sri Lanka v England, 1st Test, Galle

Stats - Joe Root's 50-plus average in Asia, and Lawrence matches his debut

The statistical highlights from a day that England dominated in Galle
April 21, 2024

England 'unconcerned' by hotel staff's positive Covid tests

England "are the most compliant team in world cricket", claims team spokesperson
April 21, 2024
Sri Lanka vs England, 1st Test Galle

Timely Joe Root century sees England tighten their grip

Dan Lawrence makes accomplished debut as tourists build lead
April 21, 2024

Stuart Broad's subtleties prove the old dog isn't done with learning

Three first-day wickets at Galle set agenda for England and scotch some preconceptions
April 21, 2024

Dom Bess admits 'I didn't feel like I bowled very well' after first-day five-for

Offspinner returned his best Test figures as Sri Lanka collapsed
April 21, 2024
Sri Lanka vs England, 1st Test, Galle

Sri Lanka batting 'the worst I've seen' - Grant Flower

Hosts' batting coach at a loss to explain how they were all out for 135
April 21, 2024

Sri Lanka's 135 all out: Anatomy of a collapse

What was going on inside Sri Lanka's dressing room on the first day of the Galle Test?
April 23, 2024

Wasteful Sri Lanka skittled for 135 as England take control in Galle

Chandimal, Mathews regroup for Sri Lanka as dropped catch allows respite
April 21, 2024
Sri Lanka vs England, 1st Test, Galle

Sri Lanka bat first, missing Dimuth Karunaratne, Suranga Lakmal

England give debut to Dan Lawrence, prefer Stuart Broad to James Anderson
April 21, 2024

Jacques Kallis 'sad' to be surplus to SA requirements as England coaching stint begins

Former great lends expertise to England batsmen in Sri Lanka, and is open to further work
April 21, 2024
Sri Lanka vs England, 1st Test, Galle

Dimuth Karunaratne believes Sri Lanka have the edge on England

With tourists missing several players from 2018 whitewash, skipper senses 'clear advantage' for home side
April 21, 2024

Joe Root backs Jack Leach and Dom Bess to thrive in attacking spin conditions

Experience of helpful surfaces at Taunton may aid spin twins in first Test alongside one another
April 21, 2024
Sri Lanka vs England, 1st Test, Galle

With no clear favourites, Sri Lanka vs England is poised to be a thriller

Hosts' wounded and injury returnees throw predictions into further disarray
April 21, 2024

Mathews, Chandimal boost for struggling Sri Lanka

Mathews will play as specialist batsman; Chandimal set to return after missing second Test in South Africa
April 21, 2024

England lean towards three-seamer, two-spinner strategy for first Sri Lanka Test

Joe Root readies himself for a bigger role with the ball in Moeen Ali's absence
April 21, 2024

Chris Woakes resigned to first-Test absence after release from Covid quarantine

Allrounder admits chances of playing are "quite slim" despite eagerness to fill Ben Stokes-shaped hole
April 21, 2024

Moeen Ali faces extended quarantine, set to miss second Sri Lanka Test

Moeen, who tested positive for Covid-19, hopes to end isolation on January 15 or 16
April 21, 2024

Dan Lawrence on prospective England Test debut: 'I am a big one for trying to do things my own way'

Essex batsman says he will stick to his own game if his chance comes this week
April 21, 2024

Niroshan Dickwella happy to 'play situation' for Sri Lanka as wait for Test hundred goes on

Wicketkeeper-batsman says Sri Lanka have a better chance of success against England than in 2018-19
April 21, 2024

Dan Lawrence backed to make international step up as England Test debut looms

Essex team-mate Alastair Cook has "no doubt" that Lawrence is ready
April 23, 2024

England mull third spin option with Moeen Ali ruled out of first Test

Mason Crane, Matt Parkinson and Amar Virdi are with the squad as reserves
April 21, 2024

Dom Bess 'can't wait' to renew spin partnership with Jack Leach

Former Somerset team-mates poised to play together in the first Test against Sri Lanka
April 21, 2024

Joe Root, Ollie Pope reach warm-up fifties but some batsmen have work to do

Team Root make 184 for 2 from 50 overs before allowing Team Buttler time to bat
April 21, 2024

Jack Leach admits Covid-19 concerns meant he feared he had played his last Test

Leach takes immunosuppressants to manage his Crohn's disease which make him more vulnerable to infection
April 21, 2024

Jonny Bairstow confident ahead of anticipated Test recall: 'I think my game's in the best place it's been'

Bairstow in line to bat No. 3 in Sri Lanka and hopes to be "huge contributor" to Test side
April 21, 2024

Zak Crawley out to prove he is no 'one-hit wonder' in Sri Lanka after epic 267 against Pakistan

The Test career of Crawley's mentor, Rob Key, serves as a cautionary tale
April 21, 2024

No new positive tests for England gives boost to Sri Lanka series prospects

Moeen Ali returns to team hotel after aborted attempt to relocate him to Galle after Covid result
April 21, 2024

England touring party in Sri Lanka faces anxious wait on Covid-19 test results

ECB doctor travels to Galle to ensure Moeen Ali's wellbeing in isolation after positive test
April 21, 2024

Moeen Ali tests positive for Covid-19 as England arrive in Sri Lanka

Ali enters 10-day self-isolation period and appears certain to miss first Test
April 21, 2024

James Anderson: Sri Lanka have 'slight advantage' heading into England series

Lack of preparation time and warm-up matches is 'not ideal', Anderson suggests
April 21, 2024

Joe Root hopeful best is yet to come ahead of 2021 that could define captaincy

England's Test captain eager for challenges to come after 'frustrating summer' with the bat
April 21, 2024

Joe Root: England prepared for positive tests as they attempt to 'manage' Covid threat

Psychologist to travel with team to Sri Lanka as part of focus on players' mental wellbeing
April 21, 2024

England players exempt from quarantine, in spite of South Africa Covid mutation

ECB respond to latest government advice after update from health secretary
April 21, 2024

Sri Lanka worried about new Covid-19 strain, but England tour likely to be on schedule

SLC's medical staff expected to have discussions with their ECB counterparts on Tuesday
April 21, 2024

Jacques Kallis named as England batting consultant for Sri Lanka Test tour

ECB insists tour plans continue "as normal" in spite of raft of travel measures against UK
April 21, 2024

ECB step up coaching recruitments for England men's squads

Adverts for batting, pace-bowling and spin coaches unveiled after short-term appointments in 2020
April 21, 2024

Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer rested for England Test tour of Sri Lanka

Bairstow and Moeen return to squad for two-Test series in January
April 21, 2024