England vs Sri Lanka Prediction and Betting Tips: Three Best Bets for Lords
England managed to seal a five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test of their three-game series and will be looking to follow up when they take on the same side at Lord’s in the second game.
Mark Wood will miss out through injury for the hosts, meaning Olly Stone will return to the England team for the first time since July 2021.
That means that Ben Stokes, Zak Crawley and Wood will be absent, meaning that some new faces are getting opportunities to impress.
England vs Sri Lanka Second Test Predictions
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Jamie Smith has impressed since coming into the England team and looks a tempting price to continue his strong summer by being the top first innings runscorer in the second Test.
Batting in the middle order has generally been preferential in this summer’s Tests in England, with the shine coming off the new ball and pitches not turning as much as they would elsewhere.
Lord’s looks set to enjoy good batting conditions for this game, with sunny and dry weather forecasted, meaning that a more high-scoring game than the one at Old Trafford could follow.
Smith has moved up to number six in Ben Stokes’ absence and thrived in that position in the first Test, registering scores of 111 - the leading score in either first innings - and 39 in the first game between these two.
The wicket-keeper is now averaging almost 60 in the four Tests that he has played for his country and can continue his progress by being the top runscorer in the first innings of this clash.
Chris Woakes once again demonstrated why he is one of the first names on England's teamsheet when playing at home.
The 35-year-old excels in English conditions and had the best figures of any English bowler at Old Trafford, taking figures of 6-90, and he can impress once again in this game.
The veteran looks a tempting price to be the top wicket-taker in the first innings of this match.
Sri Lankan wicket-keeper Dinesh Chandimal had an impressive game at Old Trafford, making knocks of 17 and 79 as well as taking four catches.
That was enough to comfortably go over 78.5 performance points, which is given as one per run and 10 per catch, and he can repeat the trick at Lord’s.
The batter-wicketkeeper can be a key man for his team and looks likely to impress once more here. Take the over.