1st Test Englnd vs Srilanka Live From Kandy ,2007 Series November 30, 2007

England is still in mystified regards to their team selection for this first test, should they go with sixth batsmen or put on a back-up bowler instead of that. Fight is between Ravi Bopara and Swais Shah for the sixth bating slot. They are assessing of playing either Stuart Braod or Graeme Swann both of them can bat lower down the order which will endow with extra cushion at the lower order as their tail without them can be a long one which in international team these days takes as a risk.

"It's very important that we get the XI right as if we can get off to a good start in the first Test we can have a good series," said Vaughan to his interview to sky sports. There is a hazard in the form of Murlitharan who is seven wickets away from 100 in only 13 tests against England.

England can take some encouragement from their performance in one day internationals played against home side in September earlier this year which England won after a long time in island.

On the other hand hosts Sri Lanka too keeping their final squad for the game close to their chest. Tested Jayasurya might make it to their final eleven which would be at the cost of in form Upal Taranga. However they are quite exultant with their bowling attach for this test match, they got a very good attach in form of evergreen Murlitharan to whom Dilhara Fernando,Lasith Malinga and Chaminda Vaas will supplement. One more option is available in variety of Malinga Bandara who might play in place of Malinga.

Sri Lankan players should be focusing on their games and not worry about the rumour about retirement of Sanath Jayasurya and Chaminda Vaas from international cricket. Vaas if selected would be playing in his 100th Test Match

Sri Lanka (from): Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Malinga Bandara, Dilhara Fernando, Sanath Jayasuriya, Prasanna Jayawardene, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan, Jehan Mubarak, Kumar Sangakkara, Chamara Silva, Sujeewa de Silva, Chaminda Vaas, Michael Vandort

England (from): Michael Vaughan (captain), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Ravinder Bopara, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard, Phil Mustard, Kevin Pietersen, Monty Panesar, Matt Prior, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann

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