Two county veterans in line to replace Alastair Cook on Sri Lanka tour

England’s highest Test run-scorer Alastair Cook has decided to call curtains on his career after this week’s fifth and final Test against India. The opener, 33, has scored 12,254 runs from 160 Test which includes 32 centuries and 56 half-centuries as well. But he was going through a tough time with willow and was under serious pressure to stake his claim in the side. However, his departure has left a huge void at the top of the order now for England.

The Brits will soon embark on the Sri Lanka tour and are scheduled to play 5 ODIs, a solitary T20I and three Tests. The three-match rubber in the whites will begin on November 6 and the selectors will definitely have to scratch their heads now. With Cook hanging his boots, they will have to find two new openers it seems as Keaton Jennings hasn’t done enough to warrant a place in the side.

Who are the two players?

Rory Burns and Joe Denly are both poised to replace Alastair Cook in the team for the Sri Lanka series. The former has played 103 first-class matches and has amassed 7203 runs with 14 centuries and averages an impressive 44. Denly, on the other hand, has played for England’s limited overs sides in 2009-10. He has a wealth of experience at the first-class level after playing 185 matches and averages close to 37 and can also roll his arm over if needed in helpful conditions.

According to The Telegraph, these two cricketers are the front-runners to fill the void created. In any case, their first assignment will not be easy by any stretch of the imagination as England have always struggled in the sub-continent. They will arrive in the island nation on the 1st October and will play a couple of practice games before the ODI series starts. Having won the home series against India, it will be interesting to see how England tackle the spin conditions in Sri Lanka.

The fifth Test against India starts on Friday at the Kennington Oval where Cook will step on the field for one final time in his illustrious career.

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