ENG vs SL 2024: Sri Lankan players evacuated from dressing room after false fire alarm

Sri Lanka players are currently in Manchester for the three-game Test series against England. The first Test will commence at Old Trafford in Manchester on Wednesday, August 21. Ahead of the start, the Sri Lankan side had evacuated from their dressing room after a fire alarm was raised. Although the fire alarm was false, it did create chaos among the touring party. The players returned to the dressing room after 15 minutes.

As for the series, Sri Lanka recently lost their only practice match ahead of the England clash. However, despite the loss, skipper Dhananjaya de Silva expressed his confidence in their preparation for the critical series which will count towards World Test Championship. 

“We wanted to play a few matches, but that’s what we get. We didn’t go with the full-strength team. We have tried out a few players as well. The result didn’t go our way, but we had the preparation, I think. It’’l work in this match,” de Silva was quoted as saying by cricket times. 

England aim to move up in WTC standings

Speaking of the upcoming series, both England and dri Lanka will be looking to register wins in order to make their way up in the World Test Championship standings. England have won and lost six each with one producing no result in 13 matches in the current cycle. With 57 points to their name, they sit in seventh place in the standings.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka occupy the fourth place after four Tests played. They have won two and lost as many and have 24 points. Dhananjaya de Silva and Co. will be hopeful to gain more momentum in the cycle, however, defeating England in their den would be no easy task.