Sri Lanka have made two significant changes to their lineup as they prepare for the second Test against England at Lord’s, starting on August 29 (Thursday). The visiting team has brought in Pathum Nissanka and Lahiru Kumara, replacing Kusal Mendis and Vishwa Fernando in a bid to strengthen their side following their defeat in the first Test at Manchester.

Kusal Mendis, who managed just 24 runs across two innings in Manchester, and pacer Vishwa Fernando, who took two wickets, have been left out as Sri Lanka seeks to bounce back in the ongoing series. Pathum Nissanka, who last featured in a Test match in 2022 against Australia, and Lahiru Kumara, who played a Test in April this year, have been included in the playing XI. Both players are expected to bring fresh energy and experience to the team as they aim to turn their fortunes around at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground.

Sri Lanka’s captain, Dhananjaya de Silva, has expressed strong confidence in Nissanka’s abilities, hailing him as the best batter in the country at the moment. “Overall, Pathum is the best batter in the country right now. He has a good mindset and technique, and I believe he can adjust to any format,” de Silva said, emphasizing the importance of Nissanka's inclusion in the team.

Sri Lanka’s decision to opt for a combination of two specialist pacers and two spinners, with Angelo Mathews and Kamindu Mendis providing backup bowling options, reflects their strategy to exploit the conditions at Lord’s. The pitch at Lord’s is known for its even pace and bounce, which could provide a good opportunity for batsmen to score runs, provided they can withstand the initial challenges posed by the English bowlers.

Heading into this match, Sri Lanka are placed fifth on the World Test Championship (WTC) table and are in dire need of points to stay in contention for the final. The team has not won a Test match since April when they defeated Bangladesh, and a victory at Lord’s would be crucial to keep their WTC hopes alive. Interestingly, Sri Lanka have never won a Test at Lord’s, making this a golden opportunity to rewrite history.

Sri Lanka’s Playing XI for Lord’s Test: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Nishan Madushka, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Milan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara.