England favourites to gain revenge after controversial ODI loss

England and Sri Lanka lock horns once again on the back of the latter winning both the ODI series and one-off Twenty20 against the hosts. However, all will be forgotten in this two-match Test if Peter Moores’ men can get a series victory, and they are 11/10 favourites for the first at Lord’s.

Three call-ups to the 12-man England squad are set for their international debuts in this form of the game. Australian-born opener Sam Robson is set to be rewarded for his switch of allegiance, alongside short form-capped all-rounders Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan.

Yorkshire pace bowler Liam Plunkett, 29, is also in line to play his 10th Test match, and first since 2007. He is priced at 4/1 to be England’s top player with the ball.

One surprise omission from the squad, however, is sensation Jos Butler, who smashed a near match-winning 121 off 74 balls in the fourth ODI over Sri Lanka. However, it seems neither captain Alastair Cook nor Moores believe the wicketkeeper is quite ready for the big stage, and have stuck with the experienced but ageing Matt Prior instead.

With Cook (10/3 to be top England batsman) and Robson (9/2) set to open, the number three position is a tough one, as any of Joe Root (9/2), Gary Ballance (11/2) and Ian Bell (10/3) are capable of playing there.

It seems that England will literally go with seam here, with the the pace of Plunkett, Jordan (3/1 to be top bowler) and Stuart Broad (11/4) to compliment James Anderson (9/4). Part-time off spinners Root (16/1) and Ali (6/1) will provide slow options.

Ali represents an exciting option who, although nowhere near the standard of Graeme Swann yet, has set his sights high. He has also said that he has been practising one of the most difficult deliveries in cricket, the doosra.

“A lot of people haven’t seen me bowl in the longer format so hopefully I can surprise a few people,” he said. “I’m pretty confident with my bowling. I feel like I’ve been doing it at Worcester for the past two or three years.

“I’ll bowl as tight as I can and hopefully pick up a few wickets from there. I’m not looking to fill Swann’s boots. He has been a fantastic bowler. I’m just looking to bowl how I bowl. If I try to be someone else I won’t be as good.