ENG vs SL: Harry Brook Confirmed As Vice-Captain For First Test Against Sri Lanka
Ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka, England has revealed that Harry Brook will be confirmed as vice-captain. An announcement in this regard came on August 19 as Brook will take on the role for the entirety of the series, with Ben Stokes ruled out of action due to his hamstring injury. Brook’s inclusion is part of a larger reshuffle in the England team, which will also be without regular opener Zak Crawley because of a finger injury. Brook will support captain Ollie Pope, who assumes the leadership responsibility that becomes vacant due to Stokes’ absence. The first Test commences on August 21 at Old Trafford in Manchester.
England Announces Its Playing XI
Notable changes and comebacks, the playing XI for the first Test from England is as follows:
Dan Lawrence will open in place of Zak Crawley.
Matthew Potts got another call-up; he last appeared for England in June 2023 and makes a refreshing comeback in the pace attack.
Shoaib Bashir has been included as the primary spinner on the back of his good performance against the West Indies.
Here is the full squad for the opening Test:
Dan Lawrence
Ben Duckett
Ollie Pope – Captain
Joe Root
Harry Brook (Vice-Captain)
Jamie Smith (Wicketkeeper)
Chris Woakes
Gus Atkinson
Matthew Potts
Mark Wood
Shoaib Bashir
This team spells out the strategic changes of England as they set to face hosts Sri Lanka.
New Role for Brook
Harry Brook, who has been in fine form, is to take up the vice-captaincy as England takes on the series bereft of the leadership of Ben Stokes. Brook will have a big role in supporting Pope through the series and helping the team get through what promises to be a competitive series against Sri Lanka.
His recent performances have given the selectors enough trust in his leadership, which will be put into this bigger role.
Sri Lanka Squad
Sri Lanka has not yet announced what their playing XI in the first Test will be. However, their squad for the series includes a mix of some experienced campaigners and promising talents who will look to make an impact:
Dhananjaya De Silva (Captain)
Kusal Mendis (Vice-Captain)
Dimuth Karunaratne
Nishan Madushka
Pathum Nissanka
Angelo Mathews
Dinesh Chandimal
Kamindu Mendis
Sadeera Samarawickrama
Asitha Fernando
Vishwa Fernando
Kasun Rajitha
Lahiru Kumara
Nisala Tharaka
Prabath Jayasuriya
Ramesh Mendis
Jeffrey Vandersay
Milan Rathnayake
The depth of Sri Lanka’s squad, therefore, displays the array of talent and potential that, no doubt, will look to seize on any frailties in the England lineup.
Conclusion
With Harry Brook named as vice-captain, visitors gear up for a new chapter as England prepares for the first Test against Sri Lanka. It all falls onto the adaptability and performance of the team led by Ollie Pope and Brook in the absence of key players like Ben Stokes and Zak Crawley.
The Test next week at Old Trafford sets the tone for the series, and neither team is going to want to get off on the wrong foot. England’s revised lineup against Sri Lanka’s yet unnamed XI confirms a thrilling contest; all eyes shall be on how this match-up unfolds.
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