England leave out Lewis and Bell
The Bulletin by Andrew McGlashan
May 11, 2006
Toss news to follow
Andrew Flintoff leads a young England team © Getty Images
For the first time since they reclaimed the Ashes, England begin a home Test match as a manic 18 months starts with a three-match series against Sri Lanka. It is a very different England team which takes the field at Lord's following a winter of patchy results and lengthy injury lists.
Jon Lewis and Ian Bell have been left out of the final XI as Liam Plunkett takes the final pace bowling slot. There had been speculation that Monty Panesar could miss out, but with a good forecast for the match - the first morning was balmy in north-west London - his variation will be an important tool for Andrew Flintoff if the Sri Lankan batsmen get themselves settled. As yet Sri Lanka have not confirmed their XI and the toss will take place at 10.30.
Flintoff has spoken of the need for England to finally put the Ashes to bed, but with the next contest barely six months away thoughts will always be advancing forward. However, England will need to be careful not to slip up in the first part of their season as building momentum is vital and Sri Lanka can't be underestimated.
Four years ago, in the corresponding Test, they batted first in glorious weather and racked up 555 for 8. England were forced to follow-on and although they ultimately saved the Test comfortably, through Michael Vaughan and Mark Butcher, it was real warning for the team.
Like England, Sri Lanka have an inexperienced side built around four senior players - Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan. They alone are all match-winners, but some of the younger brigade will have to come through and ease the burden.
England 1 Marcus Trescothick, 2 Andrew Strauss, 3 Alastair Cook, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Andrew Flintoff, 7 Geraint Jones (wk), 8 Liam Plunkett, 9 Sajid Mahmood, 10 Matthew Hoggard, 11 Monty Panesar
Sri Lanka (probable) 1 Michael Vandort, 2 Upul Tharanga, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene (capt), 5 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 6 Thilan Samaraweera, 7 Farvez Maharoof, 8 Chaminda Vaas, 9 Nuwan Zoysa, 10 Muttiah Muralitharan, 11 Lasith Malinga.
The Bulletin by Andrew McGlashan
May 11, 2006
Toss news to follow
Andrew Flintoff leads a young England team © Getty Images
For the first time since they reclaimed the Ashes, England begin a home Test match as a manic 18 months starts with a three-match series against Sri Lanka. It is a very different England team which takes the field at Lord's following a winter of patchy results and lengthy injury lists.
Jon Lewis and Ian Bell have been left out of the final XI as Liam Plunkett takes the final pace bowling slot. There had been speculation that Monty Panesar could miss out, but with a good forecast for the match - the first morning was balmy in north-west London - his variation will be an important tool for Andrew Flintoff if the Sri Lankan batsmen get themselves settled. As yet Sri Lanka have not confirmed their XI and the toss will take place at 10.30.
Flintoff has spoken of the need for England to finally put the Ashes to bed, but with the next contest barely six months away thoughts will always be advancing forward. However, England will need to be careful not to slip up in the first part of their season as building momentum is vital and Sri Lanka can't be underestimated.
Four years ago, in the corresponding Test, they batted first in glorious weather and racked up 555 for 8. England were forced to follow-on and although they ultimately saved the Test comfortably, through Michael Vaughan and Mark Butcher, it was real warning for the team.
Like England, Sri Lanka have an inexperienced side built around four senior players - Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan. They alone are all match-winners, but some of the younger brigade will have to come through and ease the burden.
England 1 Marcus Trescothick, 2 Andrew Strauss, 3 Alastair Cook, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Andrew Flintoff, 7 Geraint Jones (wk), 8 Liam Plunkett, 9 Sajid Mahmood, 10 Matthew Hoggard, 11 Monty Panesar
Sri Lanka (probable) 1 Michael Vandort, 2 Upul Tharanga, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene (capt), 5 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 6 Thilan Samaraweera, 7 Farvez Maharoof, 8 Chaminda Vaas, 9 Nuwan Zoysa, 10 Muttiah Muralitharan, 11 Lasith Malinga.
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Bitter!! 
