England set to tour Sri Lanka for two-Test series
England are set to tour Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series next year. The short tour, which was postponed in March 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic, has been rescheduled to take place in January 2021 behind closed doors in Galle. Notably, the two Tests will be held as a part of the ICC World Test Championship. Here is more.
ICC informed the same on Twitter
JUST IN: England's tour of Sri Lanka, which was postponed in March 2020 due to COVID-19, has been rescheduled for January 2021 🏏
— ICC (@ICC) December 9, 2020
The teams will play 2️⃣ Tests, which form a part of the ICC World Test Championship.#SLvENG | #WTC21 pic.twitter.com/NiL4EsFmms
A look at the tour's details
The two Tests will are slated on January 14-18 and 22-26. For that, the touring party will depart on a chartered flight on January 2, and will be subject to quarantine in Hambantota thereafter. During this period, the team will be able to train and prepare for five days (from January 5-9) at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.
Two cricket boards have agreed to bio-security plan
The two Tests will take place at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. Notably, the cricket boards, ECB and SLC, have agreed to bio-security and travel plans for the same, considering the postponement in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here is the full schedule
January 2: Touring party travels from London to Hambantota. January 5-9: Training and preparation at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota. January 14-18: Sri Lanka vs England, 1st Test, Galle International Cricket Stadium, Galle. January 22-26: Sri Lanka vs England, 2nd Test, Galle International Cricket Stadium, Galle. January 27: Touring party departs from Sri Lanka.
A crucial Test series for both the sides
England are third in the World Test Championship points table. This will be their penultimate series in the inaugural tournament, before they conclude the campaign against India in February (series subject to confirmation). Meanwhile, Sri Lanka hold the sixth spot, as they aim to increase their win percentage according to the new rules, ahead of the tournament final at Lord's in June 2021.
