Anderson and Woakes in line for second Test

England are expected to make a raft of changes to their attack as they seek a series-clinching win in the second Test against Sri Lanka.

Joe Root’s side closed out a sevenwicket win in the first Test yesterday but, having bowled 136.5 overs in Sri Lanka’s second innings in Galle and with an intensive schedule of six Tests in Asia in eight weeks, changes are inevitable.

After missing the opening Test, James Anderson is expected to come in, most likely for Stuart Broad. Chris Woakes, who was not considered ready to play in the first Test after isolating, has a strong chance of replacing either Sam Curran or Mark Wood. Olly Stone is also pushing for selection and could replace Wood if England choose to retain an express fast bowler.

Captain Root said England would monitor Moeen Ali “day by day” to see whether he could yet play a part in the second Test, which starts on Friday, following his 13-day isolation after testing positive for Covid-19. While Moeen is still considered unlikely to be fit, it is conceivable he could be selected as a third spinner and have his overs managed carefully.

With Sri Lanka 1-0 down and England initially jittery against spin in their run chase of 74, the Galle

wicket is expected to take even more turn for the second Test.

If England are adamant that they need a third specialist spinner, then leg-spinners Matt Parkinson and Mason Crane, and off-spinner Amar Virdi, could also come into contention. But Root’s auxiliary off-spin also offers England a third spinning option if required, and England liked the balance of the attack in the first Test.

Root said that England had shown the growing depth of their Test squad after Jonny Bairstow and Dan Lawrence shared an unbroken stand of 62 to seal an emphatic victory over Sri Lanka on the fifth morning. “It is great to know that, with a number of guys being rested and out currently, guys are coming into those positions and there is that strength there,” said Root, who was named man of the match for his 228 in the first innings. “We’re building all the time as a group and as a squad.”

England’s two front-line spinners, Dom Bess and Jack Leach, shared 14 wickets, improving as the second innings went on. “They will have got a huge amount from this, not just confidence in terms of taking wickets, but the amount of time they’ve had out there,” Root said.