Sri Lanka v England First Test Match Betting
England and Sri Lanka will square up for the first Test match in a two match series at Galle, a classic and historic Sri Lankan venue. England will see this match as a massive challenge and one that they will take head on now that they have secured the number one Test position in the world.
Sri Lanka will want to dominate the game and prove they have a bright future which could create some interesting odds for Sri Lanka v England Test Match betting. Not a lot will ride on how England play against Pakistan in the UAE because this will be a completely different challenge for the side.
England Cricket Players
There are going to be a high number of England cricket players who have to perform well in this game in order for England to dominate and win. The whole England side has now been playing together for a number of years which means they all have experience.
On the batting front, one of the most important cricket players is going to be Kevin Pietersen. The England number four has slightly more experience of playing in Asian conditions than his teammates and he will have a big role in preparing the England top order for the match.
On the bowling front, Graeme Swann will be one of the key England cricket players because he is currently the best spin bowler in the world. The pitch will favour spin on days four and five so it's vital Swan is on the top of his game.
Sri Lankan Cricket Players
The Sri Lankan cricket players could not be blamed for being a little intimidated by this current England side who beat them in English conditions early in 2011. The Sri Lankan cricket players have to pull together and make things as difficult as possible for the tourists.
Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene are going to be the most important Sri Lankan cricket players because they have played more games than the rest of the current team combined. They will be the most likely players to offer a lot of resistance to England over the course of the two Test matches.
Cricket Conditions in Galle
Cricket conditions in Galle will not be pleasant for players who are not use to playing the sport in Asia. The heat will be fierce and although the air temperature may be something the England side are comfortable with, the humidity could knock the stuffing out of one or two players.
In terms of the pitch, the cricket conditions in Galle will favour the side that can win the toss and bat first. This will allow the batsmen to do their job and make a huge total while the bowlers can adjust to the temperature of the country and conserve their energy for an assault on the opposition.
Cricket conditions in Galle can be very intimidating for the opposition if the Sri Lankan side is playing well. Obviously more fans will pack into the ground if the home side are playing well and this will make for a noisy and intimidating atmosphere. Sri Lankan fans are among the most passionate in the world and they are not afraid to show it.