The Sri Lankans will take on English county Kent in a 50 over day night warm-up game at Canterbury today. The tourists arrived in Canterbury on Wednesday and had a net session yesterday.
Former captain Kumar Sangakkara has joined the touring party after ending his brief stint with county champions Durham. The star batsman warmed up for the challenge against England by smashing 159 against Sussex at Hove on Wednesday before joining the national team. Team Manager Michael de Zoysa told ‘The Island’ yesterday that Sangakkara will play today’s game.
Fast bowler Lasith Malinga, who finished his IPL stint with Mumbai Indians arrived in London last night, but will not be available to play the warm-up game as he will be travelling to Canterbury.
The Sri Lankans have one more warm-up game against Sussex at Hove on Sunday before the internationals get underway. The tourists will play England in the one off T-20 International at The Oval on Tuesday while the first ODI between the countries will take place next Thursday.
The five ODIs will be followed by the two Test series. The first Test at Lord’s takes place from the 12th June onwards while the second Test at Leeds will be played from the 20th of June onwards.
Sri Lanka lost the rain affected first warm-up match to Essex on Tuesday by 22 runs according to the Duckworth/Lewis Method.
Canterbury was the second home for former batting great Aravinda de Silva, who was Kent’s overseas signing in 1995 for the English County Season.
