England vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Dream11 Team Prediction: Match Preview, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Captain Choices, Probable Playing 11s, Team News, and Injury Updates for 330PM IST, August 21 to 25 in Manchester

The first Test between England and Sri Lanka will kick off at the Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester on Wednesday (August 21). After a successful 3-0 whitewash against West Indies last month, England will be looking to continue their winning streak against Sri Lanka in this three-match Test series.

The visitors, led by Dhananjaya de Silva, will be buoyed by their ODI series win over India recently but haven’t played any Test cricket since April this year. Looking at the conditions in England, the Lankans might have to sacrifice Kamindu Mendis to bring in more technically equipped Sadeera Samarawickrama into the side.

The Lankans also have plenty of pace options to choose from the likes of Vishwad Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha and Asitha Fernando. England, on the other hand, have suffered a couple of injury blows with regular skipper Ben Stokes ruled out for the summer and opener Zak Crawley also missing out.

All-rounder Dan Lawrence is expected to open the batting with Ben Duckett for the first Test match. Durham seamer Matthew Potts has been included in England’s team for the first test against Sri Lanka, starting at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Potts is replacing the injured Ben Stokes, who tore his hamstring playing in the Hundred domestic competition. After a breakout summer in 2022, Potts played just one test last year, but the bowler gets the opportunity to make his case after being chosen ahead of Olly Stone.

Lawrence will open the batting, nearly 2 1/2 years since he won the last of his 11 caps. Zak Crawley’s fractured finger has opened up a vacancy at the top of the order as Ben Duckett’s new partner.

Skipper @OPope32 meets the media
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— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 20, 2024

Venue: Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester

Date & Time: August 21 to 25, 330pm IST onwards

Live Streaming and TV details: Sony Sports Network channels and SonyLIV and Fancode website and app.

Wicketkeepers: Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis

Batters: Joe Root, Ollie Pope, Harry Brook, Pathum Nissanka

All-rounders: Dhananjaya de Silva

Bowlers: Shoaib Bashir, Gus Atkinson

Captain: Joe Root

Vice-captain: Ollie Pope

England: Dan Lawrence, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (c), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Mark Wood, Shoaib Bashir

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama/Kamindu Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara/Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando