The much-anticipated 1st Test between England and Sri Lanka is set to commence, following England's dominant 3-0 series victory over the West Indies. As England gears up for this new challenge, they will be without their captain Ben Stokes, who is sidelined due to injury.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Kick-off Date/Time |
UK: Wednesday, August 21st, 2024 - 11:00 AM India: 3:30 PM USA EST: 6:00 AM USA PST: 3:00 AM |
| Venue | Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England |
| Weather | Expect significant rainfall on days 2 and 5 with cloudy conditions throughout the match. |
| How to Watch on TV |
UK: Sky Sports India: Sony Sports US: Willow TV |
| How to Watch Online |
UK: Sky Go India: Sony LIV US: Willow TV |
England: Aiming for Another Home Victory
After their impressive 3-0 series win over the West Indies, England now faces Sri Lanka in their opening Test match. However, they will be without their key player, Ben Stokes, who is recovering from a hamstring injury. With Stokes missing, Ollie Pope will take over as captain, while Matty Potts joins the squad as an additional bowler. Additionally, Dan Lawrence will step in for Zak Crawley, who is out with a broken finger.
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Sri Lanka: Facing a Tough Test in England
Sri Lanka arrives in England with a winning streak from their recent Test matches. However, their victories against Bangladesh and Afghanistan may not fully prepare them for the challenges posed by England. Their recent warm-up match against the England Lions ended in defeat, adding to their concerns ahead of this Test.
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England Betting Insights
England's tail is lengthy with Chris Woakes at number seven, putting pressure on the top order to set a strong foundation. Joe Root, who is climbing the ranks of all-time Test run-scorers, is expected to play a crucial role. Given the quality of the Sri Lankan bowling attack, Root is likely to score over 88.5 runs in this match.
Harry Brook, batting just behind Root, is another player to watch. His talent is evident, and against a potentially tired Sri Lankan attack, he could be in for a big score. Consider betting on Brook to score a half-century during the Test.
Sri Lanka Betting Insights
Nishan Madushka impressed with a solid 77 in the warm-up match against the England Lions, showcasing his aggressive batting. Backing Madushka to hit over 4.5 boundaries could be a good bet.
Spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, who took five wickets in the warm-up, will likely play a key role. With spinners benefiting from the bounce at Emirates Old Trafford, backing Jayasuriya to take over 3.5 wickets could be worthwhile.
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Expert Prediction
Despite the absence of Ben Stokes and Zak Crawley, England are clear favorites for this Test. Sri Lanka may struggle against England’s strong bowling attack, especially with the pace of Mark Wood expected to be a significant challenge. Wood could very well secure more than 4.5 wickets in this Test.
Tip: Mark Wood to take over 4.5 wickets in the match.