England have confirmed their schedule ahead of their two-Test series in Sri Lanka at the start of 2021. Joe Root & Co. will visit the Island nation for the Test series starting on January 14. The second match of the series is scheduled to start on January 22.
Both the games will be held behind closed doors at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. Prior to the start of the Test series, England will have to go through the mandatory quarantine period in Hambantota. England will leave for Sri Lanka on January 2.
The two-match Test series was originally scheduled for March 2020 and England had already begun their preparations in Sri Lanka. However, the series had to be called off in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. The upcoming series will form part of the ICC World Test Championship.
The upcoming series will be England’s penultimate series in the Test Championship while their final series is against India. They are expected to arrive in India for a five-Test series in February. The Joe Root-led side are still in with a chance of qualifying for the final at Lord’s this summer.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are expected to leave for South Africa soon ahead of the Boxing Day Test. The Tests against South Africa will be Sri Lanka’s first assignment since the pandemic broke. As far as England are concerned, they have already played Test series and limited-overs series against the likes of West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland, Australia and South Africa amid the pandemic.
England in Sri Lanka, fixtures:
1st Test: January 14-18
2nd Test: January 22-26
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