The upcoming England vs Sri Lanka Test series is set to be an intriguing contest, with former England middle-order batter Ian Bell now on the Sri Lankan side as their batting coach. The first Test will take place at Manchester on August 21.
Ian Bell’s New Role with Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has brought in Ian Bell to leverage his deep understanding of English conditions, aiming to provide their team with valuable insights.
- Ashley De Silva, CEO of SLC: “We appointed Ian to bring in a person with local knowledge to help the players with key insights on the conditions there. Ian has a lot of experience playing in England, and we believe his inputs will help our team in this crucial tour.”
Bell’s Cricketing Credentials
Bell, known for his elegant stroke play, had a distinguished career with England from 2004 to 2015. He scored 7727 runs in Tests at an average of 42.69, including 22 centuries.
- Role Commences: August 16, continuing through the three-match series.
England vs Sri Lanka Test Series Schedule
| Test | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Manchester | August 21-25 |
| 2nd | Lord’s | August 29-September 2 |
| 3rd | Oval, London | September 6-10 |
This series is important for both teams as they aim to improve their standings in the ICC World Test Championship.