Alastair Cook
Can Alastair Cook inspire his side to victory in the Test series against Sri Lanka? Getty Images

England take on Sri Lanka in the first of the two Test matches scheduled between the nations at Lord's, London, on Thursday.

Where to Watch Live

The game is set to begin at 11am BST. Live coverage will be on Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports 2 HD. Live text updates of the game will be available on ESPN Cricinfo. Click here for the live streaming link.

Overview

England come into this fixture having endured a 3-2 defeat in the five-match One-Day International (ODI) series against the Lankans. After taking a 2-1 lead in the first three matches, Peter Moores' side failed to prevent the visitors from securing victory in the first ODI series played on home soil this year.

The hosts have made some considerable changes and included the trio of Chris Jordan, Sam Robson and Moeen Ali, who will be playing their first ever Test match for England if selected.

Jordan who impressed in the 50-over format against Sri Lanka taking 12 wickets has earned his first ever call up for the five-day format of the game. Robson, who was born in Australia, has been in good form for Middlesex in LV= County Championship Division One scoring 163 runs in the first innings against Yorkshire at Lord's in April.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will be keen to maintain their fine form in Test matches which has seen them not suffer a single defeat in the two series played so far. Earlier in January, the three match series against Pakistan finished in a 1-1 draw. Against Bangladesh, Angelo Mathews managed to guide his team to a 1-0 victory in the two-match series.

Since then, the Lankans have gone on to win the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup before embarking on their tour of England.

Interim coach, Marvan Attapatu has made some significant changes to his side by sacrificing the young Ashan Priyanjan, Chaturanga de Silva, Thisara Perera, etc for their Test stalwarts, Dilruwan Perera, Nuwan Pradeep and Chanaka Welegedara to name a few.

England will be keen on regaining their form and come out unscathed from this Test series as a refreshed India will be looking to hunt them next month. On the other hand, Sri Lanka will be preparing to face South Africa back at home once their tour concludes on June 24.

Team News

England

Probable Lineup: Alastair Cook (c), Ian Bell, Gary Ballance, Joe Root, Matt Prior (wk), Moeen Ali, Liam Plunkett, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, James Anderson

Sri Lanka

Probable Lineup: Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews (c), Dilruwan Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Chanaka Welegedara, Rangana Herath, Nuwan Pradeep

England