England announces playing XI for the 2nd Test against Sri Lanka

After an astounding win in the first Test against Sri Lanka, England are all set to face the Lankans in the second and final Test at the Galle. Just a day ahead of the match, England announced their playing XI and they have made a little change in their plans for this match. Stuart Broad, who had played the previous match and bowled a superb spell on the first day morning has been rested for this game. Veteran pacer James Anderson has come into the side in his place. 

While there were speculations that England could change their entire pace bowling line-up ahead for the second Test, captain Joe Root has stuck to the same line-up with just one key change of that of James Anderson coming into the side in place of Broad. Chris Woakes who had been in the recurring for this Test doesn’t find his spot, while the wait for Olly Stone to make his Test debut has just been increased. 

England has been rotating their pace bowlers in overseas conditions. They have a quality set of bowlers when it comes to their fast-bowling unit. Interestingly enough, Jack Leach has managed to keep his spot in the side as well after his brilliant bowling performance in the second innings of the first Test. The spinner picked up five wickets as he helped in setting up a win for England. 

Now is about getting as much cricket in as possible: Jack Leach

In a recent interaction, the left-arm spinner, who was forced to miss some matches last year, has revealed that he hopes to play as much cricket as possible. 

“It’s nice to get five [wickets] and I feel I’ve got better as the game has gone on, which is a good sign. I had sepsis in New Zealand [in November 2019], so that wasn’t a great time for me, and then went to South Africa and picked up illness there. It was a tough time so it’s been about building back up slowly, and I think I am over that now. Hopefully now is about getting as much cricket in as possible. If I’m healthy and fit and able to play, that’s the main thing, because I don’t take that for granted,” Leach was quoted saying by the County Gazette.

England’s XI: Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root (captain), Dan Lawrence, Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Sam Curran, Dom Bess, Jack Leach, Mark Wood, James Anderson.