The first part of England's summer pits them against Sri Lanka in 3 Test Matches, 5 ODI's and a T20 Sri Lanka will also play 2 ODI's against Ireland Sri Lanka 2016 tour fixtures: 8-10 May Three-day match v Essex, Chelmsford 13-15 May Three-day v Leicestershire, Grace Road, Leicester 19-23 May First Test, Headingley 27-31 May Second Test, Durham 9-13 June Third Test, Lord’s 16 June First ODI v Ireland, Ireland venue TBC 18 June Second ODI v Ireland, Ireland venue TBC 21 June First Royal London ODI (day/night), Trent Bridge 24 June Second Royal London ODI (day/night), Edgbaston 26 June Third Royal London ODI, Bristol 29 June Fourth Royal London ODI (day/night), The Oval 2 July 5th Royal London ODI, Swalec, Cardiff 5 July NatWest T20, Ageas Bowl, Southampton
Joe Root is set to stay at No. 4 in England's Test line-up for the series against Sri Lanka, but Alastair Cook admitted there were some "tough decisions" to be made about other batting positions. Three of England's top five slots are under scrutiny going into the international season - which begins with the first Test at Headingley on May 19 - and the selectors will meet next week after one more round of Championship matches. Rather than make wholesale changes I would give Hales another go and keep Compton at 3 - then try a younger player at 5 (like Vince) So my side would look like this: Cook Hales Compton Root Vince Stokes Bairstow Moeen Broad Anderson Finn
Sri Lanka seamer Dhammika Prasad is set to have a scan after a shoulder injury forced him out of the attack in the drawn tour match against Essex. He is a doubt to face England in the first Test at Headingley from 19 May.
Uncapped duo James Vince and Jake Ball have been named in England's 12-man squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka at Headingley next week. Vince, 25, looks set to play in the game, which starts on 19 May, while Ball, also 25, will have to vie for the third seamer's role in Leeds. Alex Hales remains as captain Alastair Cook's opening partner, while pace bowler Steven Finn is fit again. Nick Compton has kept his spot as England's likely number three. Squad: Alastair Cook (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Stuart Broad, Nick Compton, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Vince.
England are 171 for 5 against Sri Lanka at the end of a rain affected first day at Headingley England 171 for 5 (Hales 71*, Bairstow 54*) Hales and Bairstow lead the fightback - very impressed with Bairstow
Sri Lanka are following-on and trail England by 206 runs at the end of Day 2 of the 1srt Test at Headingley Sri Lanka 91 (Anderson 4-16, Broad 4-21) and 1 for 0 - England 298 (Bairstow 140, Hales 86)
Shame for Hales to miss out - shot of frustration Exceptional from Bairstow - he is reaping the rewards from going away and changing his technique when he was dropped. His head is still now and the runs have come.
Jonny Bairstow became the second Englishman to take 5 catches and get a century in the same match (Matt Prior the other)
England beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 88 runs England 298 (Bairstow 140, Hales 86) - Sri Lanka 91 (Anderson 5-16, Broad 4-21) and 119 (Anderson 5-29) The inexperienced Sri Lankan batting simply could not cope with the swinging ball - Anderson and Broad world class bowlers exploiting the conditions
Ben Stokes is a doubt for the second Test against Sri Lanka, on his home ground at Chester-le-Street, after suffering a knee injury at Headingley. Alastair Cook, England's captain, said Stokes "doesn't look good" and that back-up would be added to the squad.
Good display by England, but Sri Lanka looked well outclassed. Test matches are supposed to be between 2 reasonably equal teams. This series could be so one sided it wont be worth watching.
Woakes in for Stokes. Shame the Durham faithfull will miss Stokes. Can't see it making any difference.
Don't know much about Ball,but being a Bear a bit biased towards Woakes. I think we have enough pace with Anderson,Broad and Finn Whoever plays,we are far too good for Sri Lanka
England end the 1st day of the 2nd Test on 310 for 6 against Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street England 310 for 6 (Hales 83, Root 80, Pradeep 3-69)
Sri Lanka with just 2 1st innings wickets remaining still trail England by 407 runs at the end of Day 2 of the 2nd Test at Chester-le-Street Sri Lanka 90 for 8 (Woakes 3-9, Broad 3-35) - England 498 for 9 dec (Moeen 155*, Hales 83, Root 50, Pradeep 4-107) Sri Lanka need to show some fight on Day 3
Sri Lanka with 5 wickets standing trail England by 88 runs at the end of day 3 Sri Lanka 101 (Broad 4-40, Woakes 3-9, Anderson 3-36) and 310 for 5 (Chandimal 54*, Siriwardana 35*) - England 498 for 9 dec (Moeen 155*, Hales 83, Root 50, Pradeep 4-107)