Amid warnings of violence following the removal of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe by President Maithripala Sirisena last Friday, security around the England team has been stepped up. That followed advice from the Foreign Office after advance warning of the mass protests by supporters of Wickremesinghe that took place close to England’s hotel today.
The protests were two miles away from the Nondescripts Cricket Club where Joe Root’s team began their opening two-day tour match against a Sri Lanka Board President’s XI this morning. Despite the volatile political situation, there is no question yet of the three-Test series, which starts in Galle a week today, being affected.
Root and his players are preparing as normal and they were made to toil in the field by strong opposition that contained four players in Sri Lanka’s squad for the forthcoming Test series.
After choosing to bowl, England, who will bat all day tomorrow, saw their opponents reach the close on 392 for nine. Three of those ‘wickets’ were batsmen retiring out after posting half-centuries, with one of those, Kaushal Silva, in line to open the batting against England in Galle.
James Anderson made the breakthrough, having Lahiru Thirimanne caught by Ben Stokes at first slip following a wicketless morning session for the tourists. Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid and Joe Denly, striking with the final ball of the day, also picked up a wicket apiece but Moeen Ali was the most impressive bowler, taking two for 64 from his 17 overs of off-spin.
There were no opportunities for Jack Leach nor Olly Stone, the only two fit members of the squad to miss out on a place in this 14-man team. England say nothing should be read into that in terms of selection ahead of Galle, with both bowlers expected to play in the second two-day warm-up starting on Thursday. Many, though, will wonder why Leach has not been given as much time as possible bowling given he is expected to be one of three spinners in England’s team for a series likely to be played on sharply turning tracks.
England were also forced to deny Stokes has any fitness issues after he went the whole day without bowling.
Other than Pope, Jos Buttler and Ben Foakes — who all kept wicket for a session in the absence of the injured Jonny Bairstow — Stokes was the only player not to be used by Root. The all-rounder has been troubled by back and knee issues this year and did not bowl during England’s T20 victory against Sri Lanka in Colombo last Saturday.
However, according to team management he is fully fit and the decision not to bowl him today by Root was purely tactical.
