SL makes changes for Test against England

Sri Lanka has made two changes to their lineup for the second Test against England, set to begin on Thursday at Lord's. Lahiru Kumara and Pathum Nissanka have been brought into the team, replacing Vishwa Fernando and Kusal Mendis, respectively.

In the first Test at Old Trafford, Mendis scored 24 and 0, falling to Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson in each innings. Nissanka, who last played a Test match in 2022 against Australia and averages 38.35, will take over the number three spot in the batting order.

Despite taking two wickets in England's first innings, Fernando struggled in the second innings, conceding 46 runs without taking a wicket in eight overs. His absence means Sri Lanka will be without a left-arm fast bowler for this match.

Dinesh Chandimal, who is expected to keep wickets, is a key player for Sri Lanka after retiring hurt on 10 in the previous Test due to a 90 mph delivery from Mark Wood before returning to score 79 runs off 119 balls. If Chandimal is unable to play, Nishan Madushka will step in as wicketkeeper.

After a five-wicket loss in the first Test, Sri Lanka must secure a win at Lord's to stay competitive in the series. England has announced their XI for the match, with fast bowler Olly Stone replacing the injured Mark Wood.

Sri Lanka's playing eleven for the second Test includes: Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka, Pathum Nissanka, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Kamindu Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, and Milan Rathnayake.