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England vs Sri Lanka Tips - England to begin Test series against Sri Lanka with a commanding win

By Ben Darvill

20 Aug 2024

Ben Darvill 20 Aug 2024

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England vs Sri Lanka predictions for the first Test match
England host Sri Lanka in three Tests across August and September
Preview, stats & head to head

Joe Root of England (Getty Images)

England vs Sri Lanka Tips

England secured a 10 wicket win over the West Indies in their last Test match as they ran out 3-0 winners in their recent series.

England vs Sri Lanka Tips
Head To Head
England Form
Sri Lanka Form

Sri Lanka stunned India in their last match as they secured a 110 run win in their recent ODI series.

England have won their last three Tests
Sri Lanka have not played a Test match since beating Bangladesh back in March
Joe Root top scored for England with 291 total runs against the West Indies earlier in the summer

Head To Head

England have won their last five Tests against Sri Lanka including a six wicket win back in 2021.

England Form

England were brilliant in their last Test series as they blew the West Indies away. A win by an innings and 114 runs in the first test was followed by a 241 run win in the second Test. The third and final Test saw the English secure a 10 wicket triumph. Ultimately, England displayed just how much better than the West Indies they are.

Across the series, Joe Root top scored with 291 runs at 72.75, with two fifties and one century in four innings. With the ball, Gus Atkinson ran through the West Indies with 22 wickets. I predict that the pair will once again have good series against the touring side.

While Sri Lanka have had time to go over the tapes and create their plans for England's batsmen and bowlers, they will struggle to contain the home team. Root has looked sublime with the bat, and he is my pick to notch runs in match one.

Sri Lanka Form

Sri Lanka's last Test series saw them defeat Bangladesh in two commanding wins. The first Test ended in a 328 run win before they triumphed by 192 runs.

While they come into this one on the back of wins, Sri Lanka have not played a Test since March. Their lack of Test cricket will likely hamper them across the series, although I believe it will be particularly damaging in match one.

With a long absence from the Test arena. I am backing Sri Lanka to struggle as they look to come to terms with the moving ball.

Verdict

England v Sri Lanka - 1st Test

I am backing Root to top score for England as Atkinson is in the wickets in an English win in the first Test.

England

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Gus Atkinson

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Joe Root

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