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Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva is hopeful that his team can advance in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings by securing their first-ever Test victory at Lord’s this week.
The Sri Lankan side came close but ultimately lost the first Test at Old Trafford last week, falling by five wickets to England.
To level the three-match series at 1-1 and set up a decisive final at The Oval next month, Sri Lanka must win at Lord’s, where they have previously drawn six and lost two of their eight Tests.
Captain Dhananjaya de Silva is also aware of Sri Lanka’s current standing in the WTC table, where they are placed fifth, just behind England.
“It is all about getting a Test win,” he told a pre-match press conference at Lord’s on Wednesday. “It will mean a lot for the country. But more importantly we need to get points in the World Test Championship.
“We are more confident heading into this game. We were confident at Old Trafford as well but we failed to deliver. We have to be clear with our plans and execute them well.”
Nissanka and Kumara recalled
Sri Lanka has made two changes to their lineup. Pathum Nissanka, who has been successful in One Day Internationals this year but last featured in a Test in 2022, replaces Kusal Mendis at the top of the order. Additionally, paceman Lahiru Kumara comes in for left-arm bowler Vishwa Fernando.
“Overall, Pathum is the best batter in the country at the moment,” said De Silva. “He has a good mindset and he has a good technique.”
Dinesh Chandimal, who scored a commendable 79 in the second innings at Old Trafford, has been included in the squad despite a painful thumb injury sustained while facing Mark Wood. However, he might not be the wicketkeeper, with Nishan Madushka ready to take over the gloves if needed.
England will be missing the injured Mark Wood at Lord’s, but Dhananjaya de Silva noted that new-ball bowler Chris Woakes is presenting a greater challenge for Sri Lanka’s batsmen.
“I am not concerned about the speed,” the 32-year-old middle-order batsman explained. “Speed is not troubling us. It is the line and length that’s troubling us. Chris Woakes is able to bowl 20 to 30 balls at one area and that’s what is troubling us.”
One Sri Lanka batsman arriving in top form at Lord’s is Kamindu Mendis. The left-hander notched his third century in four Tests with a superb 113 at Old Trafford, boosting his average to an impressive 92.16. He is excited to fulfill a childhood dream by playing at Lord’s.
“It was a dream to play at Lord’s when I was a boy,” said the 25-year-old Mendis. “I’m excited to play here.”
Sri Lanka team for second Test: Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka (wkt), Pathum Nissanka, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya De Silva (capt), Kamindu Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Milan Rathnayake.
