ECB releases schedule for England Tour of Sri Lanka in January 2021

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed the England tour of Sri Lanka comprising two Test games in January next year. The England cricket team was scheduled to lock horns against Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series in March 2020. However, England had to return back home without playing a single game due to a sudden outbreak of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in the island nation.

In March 2020, the two teams had featured in two practice games against each other which had resulted in a draw and were scheduled to be up against each other in the first Test starting from March 19, 2020 in Galle followed by the second game from March 27, 2020 in Colombo. However, the tour was postponed for an indefinite time.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Cricket and ECB have finally decided to host the pending Test tour between the two nations in January 2021. The first Test game will be played from January 14 to January 18 while the second game will commence on 22-26 January. Both the matches would be played in Galle International Stadium behind closed doors in a biosecure bubble to ensure the safety of the players.

Itinerary of England Tour of Sri Lanka

As per the itinerary released by the England Cricket Board, the England cricket team will board the flight to Hambantota from London on January 2. The players will then have to serve a mandatory quarantine period, however, they would be allowed to train and practice for five days from 5-9 January at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium. After finishing the Test games on January 26, England will depart from Sri Lanka on January 27.

This would be a crucial Test series for England to keep their hopes alive of making it to the finals of the inaugural edition of ICC World Test Championship at Lord’s in 2021 summer. At present, England is placed in third place behind India and Australia with 292 points and 60.8 %.

Tour Schedule

England Tour of Sri Lanka – January 2021

Saturday 2 January: Touring party departs from London to Hambantota

Tuesday 5-9 January: Training and preparation at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota

Thursday 14-18 January: 1st Test match – Sri Lanka v England, Galle International Cricket Stadium, Galle

Friday 22-26 January: 2nd Test match – Sri Lanka v England, Galle International Cricket Stadium, Galle

Wednesday 27 January: Touring party departs Sri Lanka