England’s ‘Five to watch’ as the Three Lions try to solve the puzzle of Sri Lankan spin

On Thursday, England and Sri Lanka face off in the hot, humid conditions of Galle as both sides begin their 2021 campaigns. Built alongside a Port and housed within the rampart confines of the 17^th Century Fort walls, the picturesque ground will host the highest level of cricket again, although this time behind closed doors just like most sports globally at present. The cruel irony that this is the first time since 1640 that the Fort will be keeping people out, previously to defend themselves against the Dutch, this time a global pandemic.

For England to achieve victory in the conditions that could not be any further from those found back in Edgbaston or Trent Bridge, several key selections and decisions needs to be settled. Here we will look at “five players to watch” over the two-match series that could hold the key to the success.

Dom Sibley

Dom Sibley will be looking to prove his credentials against a spin attack ahead of upcoming tour of India
Credit: Sky Sports

The obdurate right-handed opening batsman England have been searching for for years. Of his 12 previous Test appearances, none have come in such alien conditions. With Sri Lanka known for its spin-friendly pitches, bordering on raging-turners at times, it will not be anything like his previous matches in New Zealand, South Africa and at home this past summer. With Rory Burns being unavailable for selection for this tour, this could very well be Sibley’s series that puts any remaining doubters to rest.

12 Test appearances; 686 runs @ 38.11, HS: 133*

Dan Lawrence

From helping his father with groundsman-duty at Chingford CC to Galle in eight years
Credit: Wisden

The 23-year-old expected debutant from Essex will certainly be out to impress. Averaging 37.96 at first-class level may not immediately seem overly impressive, but when taken into merit that vast majority of his runs were scored on a spin-and-seam-friendly track at Chelmsford, it highlights just how hard they would need to be earnt and Lawrence has grasped the rewards. A very handy off break bowler also, something that Joe Root, England’s Test captain, will be hoping to take advantage of as a part-time option. Those who have followed the career of Lawrence have spoken of his selection being long in the coming, and it nearly did as he spent the majority of the 2020 summer in blue medical gloves running drinks as twelfth man, thanks to being in England’s Test squads against West Indies and Pakistan, but failed to be selected.

Yet to debut; 3,948 FC runs @ 37.96, HS: 161. 9 FC wickets @ 42.11, BBI: 2/63

Jos Buttler

Buttler has been fine form with the bat in Test Cricket, however will that be enough to keep the gloves?
Credit: Sky Sports

Despite possessing the current vice-Captains role in Ben Stokes’ absence, it is a strange situation that Buttler finds himself. A “once-in-a-generation talent” as described by former England international Rob Key, is a certainty in the white-ball format, yet regarding Test Cricket he again finds the spotlight on his wicketkeeping and whether he retains the gloves for this short series. The main dilemma for Chris Silverwood, England Cricket’s Head Coach, is whether to resist the temptation to make a switch and choose Ben Foakes to play, who is widely regarded as the best gloveman in world Cricket, or remain with Buttler and his superior batting capabilities, as demonstrated in the last Test of the summer struck a superb 152 at Old Trafford against an impressive Pakistan attack.

47 Test appearances; 2,543 runs @ 33.90, HS: 152

Sam Curran

Curran will be hoping to utilise his chance with the new ball and also press claims with the willow
Credit: Wisden

What England still seem to be undecided over is Curran’s primary role in the Test side. His left-arm seamers seem to be his mainly calling card, yet his plucky ability with the willow in hand is proving to be another useful asset for Root to try and exploit. With Stokes sitting the tour aside following the passing of his father, Curran picks up the mantle as the leading all-rounder in the squad, a position that may allow the diminutive 22-year-old the chance to flourish and add further selection headache upon Stokes’ return. Moving higher up the batting order seems inevitable, going from the number nine bludgeoner, to a more settled home recently at number eight, this tour could see Curran rise again to seven or potentially six. With England playing two spin options it will result in a senior seaming role for one of the first occasions in his fledging international career, adding another string to an already impressive bow.

19 Test appearances; 728 runs @ 26.96, HS: 78. 41 wickets @ 32.12, BBI: 4/58.

Dom Bess

England management reckon Bess can prove a pivotal figure in years to come
Credit: Sky Sports

It is not hard to see what England see in Bess. He is a competent enough batsman, good enough to hit a half century on debut, an excellent fielder and has an incredibly infectious personality which is exactly what England look for when in the heat of the action. The only reservation that the England selectors might have surround his primary skill; the control element within his right-arm off spin. He is clearly still learning his trade and it is also clear that he was initially selected on promise and potential, giving the rarely afforded opportunity to learn International Cricket on the job. Come the first ball of the match and this will be the very first time Bess enters the arena as the senior spinner within a pairing. Likely to be partnered with Jack Leach, his former teammate from Somerset, it will be Bess who is the spinner of dominance. How the 23-year-old copes with this extra responsibility will go a long way towards deciding the result of the series.

10 Test appearances; 223 runs @ 27.87, HS: 57. 19 wickets @ 40.57, BBI: 5/51.

How this series unfolds could not only answer questions for the immediate future, not just for the upcoming overseas Ashes, but for years to come. If those still in the initial embers of their careers hit the ground running, then we could very well see the makings of Test Cricket powerhouse to be feared by all.

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