The Lions, a second-string side, features the best of the rest of those outside the England Test and ODI squads. Their touring party for this series includes the likes of Haseeb Hameed and Alex Lees, recent England Test openers, with Matthew Fisher another in the group to play for the national side recently.

Sri Lanka’s side includes the likes of Lasith Embuldeniya and Oshada Fernando, with Nipun Dhananjaya leading them. Tom Abell is the England Lions captain.

England Lions are taking a leaf out of Brendon McCullum’s book, employing an aggressive approach in the style of the Test team. In a warm-up game against a Sri Lanka Cricket Board President’s XI, England Lions racked up 413-8 at over a run a ball, with Lees plundering 103 off 97, but saw themselves slide to defeat after their opponents chased down a 300-plus total, also at better than a run a ball.

They are playing two unofficial Tests and three unofficial ODIs against Sri Lanka A, with the ‘Tests’ four-day affairs. The tour is split between Galle and Colombo. All matches will start at 4.30am GMT.

England Lions v Sri Lanka A tour schedule: ENG vs SL Tests and ODIs fixture list

England Lions v Sri Lanka Cricket Board President’s XI – January 25-27, 2023, Colombo

England Lions v Sri Lanka A – 1st unofficial Test, January 31-February 3, 2023, Galle
England Lions v Sri Lanka A – 2nd unofficial Test, February 7-10, 2023, Galle

England Lions v Sri Lanka A – 1st ODI, February 15, 2023, Colombo
England Lions v Sri Lanka A – 2nd ODI, February 19, 2023, Colombo
England Lions v Sri Lanka A – 3rd ODI, February 21, 2023, Colombo