||Desk Report||

England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow has been ruled out of the first Test against Sri Lanka due to a ligament damage in his right ankle. He picked up the injury playing football in training and missed the last two matches of the five-ODI series.

Jos Buttler could be seen keeping wicket in the first Test at Galle, scheduled to start on November 6. But there is also a possibility that Ben Foakes, an uncapped wicketkeeper in the squad, could be handed his international debut.

“They're both still very much in our thinking and that will probably come down to the combination we want to play.

“Definitely one of them will be keeping but how we structure the batting order and what combination of bowlers we put in to the team could determine who eventually gets the gloves,” Bayliss reportedly said.

England are also considering sidelining Stuart Broad for an extra spinner in the team. With Alstair Cook retired, Rory Burns is likely to make his debut and take the opening spot.

Joe Denly batted in the top-order in the two-day practice match before the series and could replace Moeen Ali at No. 3 in the first Test.

England have failed to win any Test series abroad since touring South Africa in 2015-16. They also have not won an away Test series against Sri Lanka for the last 17 years.