ADULT CHAT LINE
Keeper Ben’s in line for debut if Bairstow ruled out
BEN FOAKES could make a surprise Test debut next week after Jonny Bairstow was all but ruled out of the first match in Galle.
Bairstow (right) is still struggling with an ankle injured while playing football in training during the one-day series, which is why Foakes was parachuted into the squad as cover.
But it is understand Foakes could even leapfrog Jos Buttler, who is expected to replace Bairstow. Coach Trevor Bayliss is a big fan of the Surrey wicketkeeper, who toured with England to Australia last winter and made a strong impression without playing a Test.
Bayliss had to convince national selector Ed Smith to call Foakes into the squad when Bairstow was injured, and with Smith arriving on tour tomorrow, the battle to pick him in the team will be next.
Buttler has done the job throughout the white-ball series but at times was a little untidy, especially when keeping to leg-spinner Joe Denly in the T20 match.
And since Buttler is nailed on to play as a batsman anyway, Foakes could come into the side as a straight swap for Bairstow until the Yorkshireman is 100 per cent ready.
“I think all options are on the table,” admitted skipper Joe Root ahead of the first warm-up match against a Sri Lankan President’s XI.
“The obvious choice would be to play Jos, and Jos will play as a batter regardless, but we are in a position of luxury, where we have so many options.
“Making sure we’ve the best balance of side depending on the surface is going to be really important as well.
“We can see how these next four days go, and what the surface looks like in Galle, then pick a team accordingly.”
Root also admitted Test stalwart Stuart Broad could be dropped from the team for the first time since 2012, with three spinners in Galle a likely strategy.
“We need to not be shy of
potentially playing a slightly different side to what you might have seen in previous winters,” added Root.
“We’ve been away from home a number of times now and struggled, so we may look at a different formula with or without Stuart.”
England have had their security upped in the wake of political unrest in Sri Lanka, with demonstrations planned near their hotel.
Former Sri Lanka captainturned-politician Arjuna Ranatunga has been arrested and bailed over a shooting.