The most successful pacer in the history of Test cricket, James Anderson has been included in England playing XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka in place of Stuart Broad who has been rested. This is England’s only change from the opening clash which they won convincingly by 7 wickets.
Meanwhile Broad was effective in the first Test bagging 3/20 in the first innings which helped the visitors to skittle the hosts out for just 135. However with this being a relatively low key series, the England team management has decided to rotate the frontline pacers and in comes, Anderson in place of a long time bowling partner especially to manage the workload of the players ahead of a highly intense four-match Test series against India.
This will be Anderson’s first Test match ever since taking the 600th Test scalp against Pakistan last August. Anderson who has been England’s spearhead for nearly two decades will look to guide England to their fifth successive win abroad. Jack Leach and Dom Bess will remain the two spinners for England as Moeen Ali isn’t available for selection yet having only completed his coronavirus quarantine on Saturday.
Test skipper Joe Root expressed his disappointment at Moeen Ali missing out as he lends a good balanced for England in all conditions. "Unfortunately Mo is not going to be selectable for this game, which is a real shame. It's been a really tough tour for him so far.
"It is great to see him back around the group, training again and easing his way back into his workload and getting ready for Test cricket again. We are all looking forward to having him back at full tilt.
"The great thing for me is that the spinners had success but also have great attitudes where they want to keep getting better. They don't want to be happy with what they have done, they want to improve on the start they have had."
The 2nd and the final Test of the series start tomorrow, 22nd January and the hosts will surely be looking to make a grand comeback and level the series.
England team for second Test: Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root (captain), Dan Lawrence, Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Sam Curran, Dom Bess, Jack Leach, Mark Wood James Anderson
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