England v Sri Lanka first Test: How to watch, TV channel, start time, head-to-head stats and team news

England beat the West Indies 3-0 in their first home Test series of the summer and they are targeting a repeat performance against Sri Lanka.

How to watch England v Sri Lanka and TV channel

The first Test between England and Sri Lanka will be broadcast on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event.

England v Sri Lanka start time, date and venue

England's clash with Sri Lanka starts at 11:00 on Wednesday 21st August and it is taking place at Old Trafford in Manchester.

England v Sri Lanka stats and head-to-head record (H2H)

England have won their last five Test matches against Sri Lanka, all of them away from home, and they also have a solid record on their own patch against this week's opponents.

The Lankans have won only three of their 18 Tests in England, although they held out for a draw in their most recent match at Lord's in June 2016.

England fast bowler Gus Atkinson is aiming to continue the fine start he has made to his Test career after taking 22 wickets in his first three matches against the West Indies. 

Sri Lanka's veteran opener Dimuth Karunaratne will be hoping to improve his runscoring record on the road. The left-hander has produced 11 Test centuries in 40 matches at home but just five in 51 overseas appearances.

England v Sri Lanka head-to-head record (H2H)

England wins	17
Draws	11
Sri Lanka wins	8

* H2H stats refer to all meetings in Test cricket

England v Sri Lanka team news

England team news

Ollie Pope will captain England as their regular skipper Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the series after suffering a hamstring injury while playing in The Hundred.

Zak Crawley is sidelined with a fractured finger so Dan Lawrence will open the batting with Ben Duckett, while Matthew Potts joins Gus Atkinson, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood in the pace attack. 

Sri Lanka team news

Kamindu Mendis and Jeffrey Vandersay missed last week's warm-up game against England Lions due to a visa delay but are available for selection at Old Trafford. Fast bowler Lahiru Kumara returned from injury against the Lions and his fitness will be assessed.