Final Test, Sri Lanka clings to the view of pulling off a drawn series while England has their sights set on establishing a clear scope between the teams.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka have been hit with the major loss of skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan due to a broken thumb which will means Lahiru Thirimanne has to be drafted in for his debut and Kumar Sangakkara, unwillingly to say the least, resumes the leadership
While the batting line-up has twice competed remarkably in the first innings - which makes their submission for 82 even more amazing - they have not looked like bowling England out twice. The one chance they had to embarrass the hosts came on the opening day at Lord's with England 22 for 3 but the attack couldn't keep the pressure.
Key Players: Mahela Jayawardene, Prasanna Jayawardene, Chanaka Welegedara
England
England, though, were some way off their best at Lord's and will want to put that right over the next five days. Such high standards have been set that the combined dissatisfaction of the bowling last week caught many by surprise. James Anderson's return will bring a senior figure back to the attack, but this is a significant week for Stuart Broad.
As it is for Andrew Strauss. Not that he should be feeling any excessive pressure right now, but he was twice lbw to Welegedara at Lord's and, given he only plays one format these days, won't want to endure too many lean series. Also, a score line anything less than 2-0 will be a missed chance for England.
Key Players: Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott, James Anderson
Sri Lanka Captain: Kumar Sangakkara
Sri Lanka have been hit with the major loss of skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan due to a broken thumb which will means Lahiru Thirimanne has to be drafted in for his debut and Kumar Sangakkara, unwillingly to say the least, resumes the leadership
While the batting line-up has twice competed remarkably in the first innings - which makes their submission for 82 even more amazing - they have not looked like bowling England out twice. The one chance they had to embarrass the hosts came on the opening day at Lord's with England 22 for 3 but the attack couldn't keep the pressure.
Key Players: Mahela Jayawardene, Prasanna Jayawardene, Chanaka Welegedara
England
Captain: Andrew Strauss
England, though, were some way off their best at Lord's and will want to put that right over the next five days. Such high standards have been set that the combined dissatisfaction of the bowling last week caught many by surprise. James Anderson's return will bring a senior figure back to the attack, but this is a significant week for Stuart Broad.
As it is for Andrew Strauss. Not that he should be feeling any excessive pressure right now, but he was twice lbw to Welegedara at Lord's and, given he only plays one format these days, won't want to endure too many lean series. Also, a score line anything less than 2-0 will be a missed chance for England.
Key Players: Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott, James Anderson
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