Kumar Sangakkara believes England are currently the best all-round side in world cricket and has adviced Sri Lanka to target their new opening combination in the upcoming Test series.
[10/3, 13:33] Ganpati Bapaa 🙌🙏: England have already arrived in Sri Lanka and will play five ODIs, a solitary Twenty20I before shifting their focus to the longest format of the game. The three-match Test series will get underway from November 6.
This will be England’s first assignment after the retirement farewell of country’s record Test run-scorer Alastair Cook. England have called up Rory Burns and Joe Denly to their Test squad and have also opted to persist with out-of-form Keaton Jennings.
“It’s going to be a tough series for Sri Lanka against an England side, who I think will be well adapted to any conditions we play them under. I think they are the best all-round side in world cricket without a doubt, in any conditions. They have all-rounders down to No.10 – they bat very deep. They have a settled batting line-up, which they haven’t changed. They have stroke-makers and batsmen who can knuckle down. Since Alastair Cook has left, they’ll have a new opening combination, so whoever comes in there, Sri Lanka can target,” Sangakkara said in a conversation with ESPNcricinfo.
“They have very good spinners in Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali. Rashid in Sri Lankan conditions will become a very potent threat,” said the 40-year-old.
“They have bowlers who know have to reverse swing as well, so they’re bringing a very, very strong unit. They have the ability to adapt, because if they want to play three spinners, they can play three spinners.
“They can play an extra seamer if they want, without really compromising on their batting. Sri Lanka will have to be on the top of their game. A lot will depend on Rangana Herath and our batsmen’s ability to post a good first-innings total.”
