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England maintained their 100% record in Test cricket this summer with a hard-fought five-wicket win over Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford, giving them a 1-0 lead in this three-match series.
DATE/TIME: Thursday 29th August 2024 – UK – 11:00am / India – 3:30pm / US EST – 6:00am / US PST – 3:00am
VENUE: Lord’s, London, England
WEATHER: Only chance of rain likely to be on Day 5 with dry and sunny conditions otherwise as temperatures hold at over 20c.
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 FORM: POPE WINS ON CAPTAINCY DEBUT AS ENGLAND MAKE IT FOUR FROM FOUR
Missing regular captain and key all-rounder Ben Stokes, England certainly weren’t at their best across this first Test and their task was made harder due to an injury which forced fast bowler Mark Wood off the pitch. But they managed to get the 20 wickets required and chased down 205 in the fourth innings to win, although Ollie Pope’s side were made to work for it.
LAST FIVE: WWWWL
SRI LANKA FORM: FIGHT BACK ADMIRABLE BUT SRI LANKA’S WINNING STREAK ENDS
After being reduced to 6/3 in their first innings, one could be forgiven for thinking Sri Lanka were going to be on the end of a thrashing here. But it was a testament to Dhananjaya de Silva’s men that they never gave up at any point and rallied to at least force an uncomfortable fourth innings chase for England.
LAST FIVE: LWWWL
ENGLAND BETTING ANALYSIS
With Mark Wood out injured for this second Test, this presents Olly Stone with a golden opportunity, the Nottinghamshire pacer having been drafted into the side. Stone’s raw speed may not be at the level of Wood, but at Lord’s he should prove a significant wicket-taking threat. With that in mind, consider backing Stone to take over 4.5 match wickets across this second Test.
To nobody’s surprise, Joe Root and Harry Brook were both essential at Emirates Old Trafford. The pair racked up 104 and 88 runs respectively over the course of the Test and whenever either of the two come to the crease, they are expected to accumulate a significant score. The smart play here would be to place a stake on the pair to finish as England’s top 1st innings batter, covering both bases.
SRI LANKA BETTING ANALYSIS
In our preview of the first Test, we touched upon the spin-bowling threat of Prabath Jayasuriya and how important the slow left-armer would likely prove. A couple of magic deliveries helped Jayasuriya accrue five wickets and he is likely to send down a significant number of overs once again at Lord’s. Therefore, explore backing Jayasuriya to take over 3.5 match wickets, the same successful bet we recommended last time out.
A big worry for Sri Lanka following that first Test was their inability to record a significant opening partnership. Across two innings, the tourists put on just six runs for the first wicket, underlining that issue. It’s never easy against an England bowling attack in their favoured conditions and home grounds, so don’t be surprised if Sri Lanka’s openers struggle again here. Back England to record the highest match opening partnership.
ENGLAND VS SRI LANKA EXPERT PREDICTION
Despite missing big names such as Ben Stokes, Zak Crawley and now Mark Wood, England remain a stronger all-round side than Sri Lanka, both from a batting and bowling perspective. That isn’t likely to chance at Lord’s and there should be enough play across the five scheduled days to force another result between the two nations.
Confidence remains high among the England squad, who continue to stamp their authority on whoever they face over the course of this home Test summer. Players like Root and Brook continue to prove difference makers and world class points of difference and it’s hard to see Sri Lanka being able to overcome that. Back England to double their series lead at the ‘Home of Cricket’.
ENGLAND VS SRI LANKA TIP: ENGLAND TO WIN
