Ten months after aborting their tour of Sri Lanka as the pandemic advanced, England will finally play the first Test on Thursday with the coronavirus still causing problems.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Joe Root's team, missing Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer, need a convincing win in the two-match series to keep alive their hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
All-rounder Moeen Ali is also out of the two-Test series' opener after testing positive for the coronavirus on arrival in the island on January 3.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After England left Sri Lanka without playing a Test last March, and cut short a tour of South Africa last month over coronavirus fears, it's been an unsettling time for the team.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But the players, living in a bio-secure 'bubble' in Sri Lanka, have remained united throughout, according to wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Everyone's together. That's been a strength of the team, the unity. It's been a real key throughout this whole period of Covid," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bairstow, who last played a five-day match in late 2019, is expected to return to the Test team in Galle.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With Moeen's isolation only ending Wednesday, Dom Bess and Jack Leach will be the premier spin bowlers in the 18-member squad. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
And the slow bowlers could be crucial. But England do have three reserve spinners in Mason Crane, Matt Parkinson and Amar Virdi.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We can play plenty of spin if required to," coach Chris Silverwood insisted.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"They are all here, so they're available. We travel with such a large group so should any eventuality come up we have it covered. It is difficult to win here."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Moeen and Leach were key to the touring England team that won 3-0 in Sri Lanka in 2018 and Silverwood said they have the muscle to beat the hosts on their home territory again.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It is difficult to win here. I read (Sri Lanka head coach) Mickey Arthur's comments about our win in 2018 being in the back of their minds and wanting to get revenge for that," said Silverwood.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Do I believe we can win? Of course, I always believe our team can beat anyone. To me it's about the processes, the continual progression of the team."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Uncapped Essex batsman Dan Lawrence is set for an international debut with Silverwood saying the 23-year-old is "ready" for it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
England, placed fourth in the inaugural Test championship table led by Australia, need a series win in Sri Lanka to have chance of making the final at Lord's.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sri Lanka have just returned from a 2-0 whitewash in South Africa and must find replacements for injured batsman Dhananjaya de Silva and paceman Kasun Rajitha.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella said their absence would be a blow, but that Sri Lanka still pose a threat. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
England are much weakened without Stokes and Archer, who were given permission to miss this part of a tour before the team heads to India.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I think it is going to be tough series," said Dickwella.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Compared to the conditions in 2018 I think we have a better chance this time with no Archer, no Ben Stokes and few other players," said the wicketkeeper-batsman.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"But we don't take it easy. We just play our normal game."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The left-handed batsman added: "We don't underestimate the England side but I think we have a good chance of winning this series."
\r\n <\/p>\r\n",
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