Sri Lanka express security concerns about upcoming England Tests amidst UK riots
Sri Lanka have raised security concerns in England due to the ongoing anti-immigrant riots in various cities in the UK. However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has provided reassurances to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) about having security arrangements in place.
The two teams will play in a three-Test series from August 21 to September 10 in Old Trafford, Lord's, and the Oval.
The Sri Lankan players already in England for training have expressed their fears about the ongoing unrest, considering security plans not being in place for this part of the tour. The contingent - seven players and two support staff members have requested SLC for security over the next few days.
One of the players told ESPNCricinfo:
"Most of the issues seem not to be close to where we are but everyone is still a little concerned. We can't really go out to dinner or do anything like that. Mostly we stay in the hotel. No one wants to run into trouble and get beaten up. We've asked the board to try and ask for some security for us until the main team arrives, but we haven't heard anything back yet."
Sri Lanka's team manager Mahinda Halangoda has also raised the issue with the ECB. He told ESPNCricinfo:
"I raised the issue with them, but the ECB responded very quickly and sent us their comprehensive security arrangements. We'll be having a security liaison on the tour from them as well."
Most of the Sri Lankan side are slated to arrive in England on Sunday (August 11) after which the ECB's security plans will take effect.
Sri Lanka announced their 18-member squad for England Tests
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka announced their 18-member squad for the England Test series on August 7. The biggest headline grabber was the return of in-form opener Pathum Nissanka to the Test squad after not playing a long-format game since 2022.
Sri Lanka have also named uncapped pacers Milan Rathnayake and Nisala Tharaka in the squad for the potentially seamer-friendly English conditions.
Leg spinner Jeffrey Vandersay also returns to the Test side after his lone red-ball outing in June 2022. Dhananjaya de Silva will captain Sri Lanka with Kusal Mendis as his deputy.
Sri Lanka last played a Test series in England in 2016 and suffered a 0-2 defeat in three matches.
Sri Lanka squad for England Tests
Dhananjaya De Silva (c), Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (vc), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Nisala Tharaka, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Milan Rathnayake.