THIS IS A BIG SERIES FOR...

OLLY STONE

England want Warwickshire’s express paceman to provide the X-factor so often lacking in overseas conditions, and the indications last night were that he would be given an early chance in Sri Lanka to parachute himself into the World Cup side.

EOIN MORGAN

The one-day leader insisted yesterday he would be prepared to drop himself if necessary, but a good series now would dispel any remote doubts that he might go the same way as Alastair Cook ahead of the last World Cup.

BEN STOKES

Stokes has not looked the same player since the ordeal of a court case last summer and he still has a disciplinary commission hearing hanging over him. England would love him to return to his barnstorming best now.