Thursday 19 May 2016 10:13, UK
England take on Sri Lanka at Headingley in the first Test of the three-match Investec series, at the start of a summer that could end with them holding all nine Test trophies.
After victory in South Africa over the winter, Alastair Cook's men possess seven and can complete the set with series wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan on home soil.
However, while England head into the series as favourites against a young Sri Lankan team, they will be wary of the threat posed by the tourists.
Indeed, on their most recent tour of England, Sri Lanka emerged victorious after earning a draw at Lord's and claiming a dramatic win at Headingley.
Team news
Steven Finn has been given the nod to start ahead of the uncapped Jake Ball, Cook confirmed.
"Steven Finn is going to play," the England skipper said. "He's been outstanding when he's been fit for us. I think everyone kind of knew that."
There will though be a Test debut for James Vince. The Hampshire batsman, who has featured for England in limited overs cricket during the winter, is expected to slot in at five, replacing the recently-retired James Taylor.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will be without seamer Dhammika Prasad at Headingley after he was ruled out with a shoulder injury sustained in their warm-up game at Essex.
The 32-year-old will not miss the whole series though and is expected to be fit to return for the second Test at Chester-le-Street.
While the team has been shorn of Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara since their last visit, Sri Lanka will be pleased by the form of Kusal Mendis in their warm-up games and Dimuth Karunaratne should also arrive in Leeds in confident mood after a century against Leicestershire last week.
Form
Since defeat to Sri Lanka in 2014, England have lost just one of their last six Test series in a run that includes victories over India, South Africa and Australia.
Their one defeat came against Pakistan in the UAE last autumn but was swiftly followed by the aforementioned triumph in South Africa, ensuring England head into the opener full of confidence.
By contrast, Sri Lanka have played seven Test series since overcoming England two years ago, losing five.
Home victories over Pakistan, in 2014, and the West Indies last year are their only successes and they come into the series on the back of a 2-0 whitewash in New Zealand.
Watch England take on Sri Lanka in the first Test at Headingley from 10am on Thursday, live on Sky Sports 2. You can also keep up-to-date with all the action by following our live blog on skysports.com/cricket and catch highlights and The Verdict on Sky Sports after each day's play.
