Big changes as Sri Lanka, England announce XI for second Test
England opt for Olly Stone in their XI as a like-for-like replacement for the injured Mark Wood at Lord's.
England and Sri Lanka have announced their playing XIs for the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's.
Injury-plagued pacer Olly Stone wins the race to replace the injured Mark Wood, with the inclusion of the right-armer the only change to the England team that defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets in the opening Test of the series in Manchester.
For Sri Lanka, Kusal Mendis makes way with Pathum Nissanka set to play Test cricket for the first time since 2022. Nishan Madushka is expected to don the gloves with Nissanka pairing up with Dimuth Karunaratne at the top.
Stone (right) alongside England legend James Anderson // Getty Images
Wood hurt his thigh during that first Test at Old Trafford and was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the three-match ICC World Test Championship series against Sri Lanka.
World Test Championship Standings
Uncapped left-armer Josh Hull was called up to the squad as a potential replacement, but selectors have opted to give Stone another chance to show his wares in what will be just his fourth Test appearance.
Stone made his Test debut against Ireland at Lord's back in 2019, but has since battled back injuries and struggled to maintain his fitness until finally getting some continuity this season.
England speedster Mark Wood bowled the fastest delivery of the tournament yet, touching 155kph on the speed gun during the clash against New Zealand.
While Stone knows he won't be able to replicate the pace that Wood possesses with the red ball, the 30-year-old has vowed to bowl as fast as he can as he attempt to win his place back in England's Test side.
"It's been pretty frightening… the way he (Wood) has come in and bowled this summer is very exciting," Stone said.
"Hopefully, I can go out there and try to touch his speeds. He's obviously up there with the fastest in the world so I'm not sure if I'll match it - but I'll give it a good shot."
Remaining World Test Championship Fixtures
For Sri Lanka, another major change comes in the pace department with Vishwa Fernando making way for Lahiru Kumara.
England XI for second Test: Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope (c), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Olly Stone, Shoaib Bashir
Sri Lanka XI for second Test: Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka, Pathum Nissanka, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya De Silva (c), Kamindu Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Milan Rathnayake