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Rain ruins England's Test preparations

Rain has washed out the opening day of England's final pre-Test series warm-up match in Sri Lanka.

England has suffered a setback in their preparations for next week's first Test against Sri Lanka after their opening day of their final warm-up was washed out.

The tourists had not even left their hotel when the decision was taken to abandon the day's play against a Board XI at Colombo Cricket Club.

An agreement has been hatched to turn the planned two-day fixture into a 50-over-a-side game on Friday but with weather forecasts in the area unpromising, there is a chance even that may not be fulfilled.

Should that be the case England will travel to Galle for the series opener with just two days of red-ball cricket under their belt.

There will be particular frustration for spinner Jack Leach and pace bowler Olly Stone, both of whom were left out for the first tour game with a promise of getting their chance in the follow up.

Leach was widely expected to make the Test XI on what is likely to be a spin-friendly surface but will now have a maximum of 10 overs, conditions permitting, to get used to conditions.

England would also have liked to see more of batsmen Keaton Jennings and Joe Denly at the crease after they produced modest returns in their first knocks of the trip.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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