ECB announces dates for Sri Lanka’s tour of England in 2016.

By Janaka Alahapperuma from London

New England Cricket team will be seeking to avenge last year’s Test and ODI series defeats to Sri Lanka in 2016 summer when Sri Lanka cricket team tours in England and Ireland from 04 May to 06 July, 2016.
England Cricket Board (ECB) today announced next summer’s international programme with England set to face a dual sub-continental challenge from Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The international season will start in early May with England seeking to avenge last year’s 1-0 Investec Test series defeat and 3-2 Royal London ODI series defeat against Sri Lanka who is currently the world’s number one ranked side in T20 international cricket.

Sri Lanka's tour of England consisting of three Investec Tests, five Royal London One-Day Internationals and one NatWest International T20 match and two ODIs in Ireland in between the England tour matches. Pakistan's tour of England, consisting of four Tests and six limited-overs matches in the second half of the English summer. Pakistan will be touring England for the first time since 2010.

Interest in next summer’s international programme has been heightened by England’s recent 3-2 Ashes triumph against mighty Australia and England team will have an early sight of one half of next summer’s opposition when they take on Pakistan in the UAE this autumn.

ECB Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison said: “Alastair Cook was absolutely right to acknowledge the contribution of England’s fans to our Ashes success. They have been unwavering in their support this summer and we would urge as many as possible to return to our international venues next summer and get behind our men’s and women’s teams in large numbers once again.

”Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka will also attract strong support from their own communities in this country which all adds up to another exciting summer of international action played in front of packed houses for all three formats of the game.”

Meanwhile England’s victory over Australia in the Investec Ashes Series, England Cricket Director and former test captain Andrew Strauss praised a successful summer campaign and expects the side to keep getting better ahead of new challenges against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

The first part of the international season will have a strong northern flavour with Headingley and Emirates Durham ICG both hosting Investec Test Matches against Sri Lanka before the three-match series concludes at Lord’s.
Trent Bridge, Edgbaston, Bristol, The Kia Oval and the SSE SWALEC, Cardiff will then all stage Royal London ODIs against Sri Lanka before a NatWest International T20 ‘double-header’ – which will also feature England women taking on Pakistan women – rounds off the tour at The Ageas Bowl.

Lord’s will host the opening clash in England’s four-match Investec Test series against Pakistan with Emirates Old Trafford, Edgbaston and The Kia Oval all set to host Investec Test Matches against the tourists.

Pakistan’s tour will then conclude with The Ageas Bowl, Lord’s, Trent Bridge, Headingley and SSE SWALEC, Cardiff staging Royal London One-Day Internationals and Emirates Old Trafford staging the final international action of the summer; a NatWest International T20.

Sri Lanka's tour of England 2016
Wed 4 May - Sri Lanka arrive
Sun 8-Tue 10 May - 3-day v Essex - Chelmsford
Fri 13-Sun 15 May - 3-day v Leicestershire - Grace Rd, Leicester
Thu 19-Mon 23 May - 1st Investec Test - Headingley
Fri 27-Tue 31 May - 2nd Investec Test - Emirates Durham ICG
Thu 9-Mon 13 June - 3rd Investec Test - Lord’s
Thu 16 June - 1st ODI v Ireland - Ireland venue tbc
Sat 18 June - 2nd ODI v Ireland - Ireland venue tbc
Tue 21 June - 1st Royal London ODI D/N - Trent Bridge
Fri 24 June - 2nd Royal London ODI D/N - Edgbaston
Sun 26 June - 3rd Royal London ODI - Bristol
Wed 29 June - 4th Royal London ODI D/N - Kia Oval
Sat 2 July - 5th Royal London ODI - SWALEC, Cardiff
Tue 5 July - NatWest IT20 (f) - Ageas Bowl, Southampton
Wed 6 July - Sri Lanka depart