England and Sri Lanka will square off at Chester-le-Street in Durham for the second Test of the three-match series. Sri Lanka were handed an innings and 88 run defeat in the first Test, and the visitors will look to put up a better show in the second match of the series.
Despite a promising start to the first Test, Angelo Mathews and co. were outplayed by the England bowlers, especially James Anderson. Sri Lankan bowlers did everything right with the ball on the first day of the first Test, but the partnership between Jonny Baristow and Alex Hales took the game away from Sri Lanka.
Mathews will want his batsmen to come up with a better effort against the England bowlers in the second Test in Durham.
Meanwhile, England will look to avenge their series defeat of 2014. The way they have started the series, it looks like Alastair Cook and co. will do just that by sealing the series at Chester-le-Street.
However, they will have to do that without their star all-rounder Ben Stokes, as he has been sidelined with a knee injury suffered at Headingley.
Chris Woakes and Jake Ball are vying for a place in the England playing XI, as a replacement for Stokes. Woakes is likely to be preferred, as he can bat as well. Woakes has amassed nine first-class centuries and recently claimed his career-best figures of nine for 36 in the County Championship.
Sri Lanka took a blow as well ahead of the second Test match. Their fastest bowler in the lineup -- Dushmantha Chameera -- has been ruled out of the tour because of an injury. Suranga Lakmal is likely to replace the fiery pacer.
Sri Lanka bowling Coach Champaka Rananayake admitted Chameera will be missed, but was hopeful of Lakmal stepping up. Lakmal was one of the members of the Sri Lankan side which defeated England two years ago. He played a crucial role with the ball and SL will hope he delivers this time as well.
"Chameera's the fastest bowler of the group, so of course it's a blow. But here, because the wickets are helping the seamers even the others will be good. Chameera has been our impact bowler, but sometimes you do get stress reactions once in a way. You can't help it," Rananayake was quoted as saying by Cricinfo.
"But the other bowlers can deliver. Suranga is bowling really well in the nets and is an experienced guy, so he will fill up that role."
England vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test schedule:
Venue: Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street.
Timings: 11:00 a.m. BST (3.30 p.m. IST)
TV listings: India and Indian subcontinent: Stars Sports 1 and Star Sports HD 1. UK: Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports HD2. USA: ESPN3.
