ZCZC
BSP-10
CRICKET-SRI-ENG-TOSS
England bat first in final Sri Lanka Test
COLOMBO, Nov 23, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – England captain Joe Root won the toss
for the third time in a row and elected to bat in the third and final Test
against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Friday.
The visitors, looking to achieve a 3-0 whitewash, made two changes to the
side for the game at the Singhalese Cricket Club where the wicket is expected
to take substantial turn.
They rested fast bowler James Anderson to give Stuart Broad his first Test
of the series, while batsman Jonny Bairstow replaces the injured Sam Curran.
Bairstow was expected to bat at number three, where England have had
trouble finding a consistent batsman.
Sri Lanka also made two changes, bringing in left-arm wrist spinner
Lakshan Sandakan to replace Akila Dananjaya who is in Brisbane having his
bowling action biomechanically tested.
Under-performing opener Kaushal Silva has been left out in favour of
Danushka Gunathilaka.
Sri Lanka: Suranga Lakmal (capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Danushka
Gunathilaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Roshen Silva,
Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Malinda Pushpakumara
England: Joe Root (capt), Rory Burns, Keaton Jennings, Jonny Bairstow, Ben
Stokes, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Ben Foakes, Adil Rashid, Stuart Broad, Jack
Leach
Umpires: S. Ravi (IND), Chris Gaffaney (NZL)
Third Umpire: Marais Erasmus (RSA)
Match-referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM) BSS/AFP/MR/ 1040 hrs