England Faces Sri Lanka in Test Without Stokes

England is set to face Sri Lanka in the first Test at Old Trafford, missing captain Ben Stokes due to a hamstring injury sustained during The Hundred. Vice-captain Ollie Pope will lead the team in his first Test captaincy, while Dan Lawrence returns to the side as an opener after a two-and-a-half-year absence, filling in for the injured Zak Crawley. Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya De Silva sees Stokes' absence as an opportunity for his team, which has struggled historically in England, winning only three of their last 18 Tests there. Despite a defeat to an inexperienced England Lions in their only warm-up, De Silva expressed confidence in his squad's seam bowling and the inclusion of former England player Ian Bell as a consultant. England aims to replicate their recent success against the West Indies, looking for a strong performance despite the leadership changes. The match begins on Wednesday, showcasing England's aggressive 'Bazball' style under coach Brendon McCullum.