Overall, England have played seven Tests against Sri Lanka at Lord's,
five of which have ended in a draw. Two Tests, including the one played
in 1991, were won by England.
Of the 15 Tests played at Lord's since 2009, the only two Tests to end in a draw were played between the hosts and Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's captain has made a century in each of the previous three Tests played at this venue. Mahela Jayawardene made 119 in the second innings in 2006, Tillakaratne Dilshan hit 193 in the first innings in 2011 and the current captain, Angelo Mathews, made 102 in the first innings of the 2014 Test.
England are 2-0 up with one Test to play, but the match starting on Thursday has more riding on it than it might appear for the hosts after recent series victories ended on a low note.
Last year, having won the Ashes, England suffered an innings and 46-run defeat by Australia in the fifth Test at The Oval.
There was a similarly heavy reverse in South Africa in January when, 2-0 up with one to play, England lost the fourth Test at Centurion by 280 runs.
Although they won the second Test against Sri Lanka in Chester-le-Street by nine wickets, there were warning signs for England during that success.
Sri Lanka, having become the first team since New Zealand in 1958 to be dismissed for under 120 in three successive Test innings, made 475 in the second knock in Durham -- including a fine hundred by Dinesh Chandimal.
Top-order batsman Nick Compton has been struggling for runs, and fast bowler Steven Finn for wickets.
With England having again selected a 12-man squad, it looks as if Compton will get another match at number three.
Steven Finn's place is under threat from uncapped seamer Jake Ball, although England appear ready to retain the Middlesex quick.
Of the 15 Tests played at Lord's since 2009, the only two Tests to end in a draw were played between the hosts and Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's captain has made a century in each of the previous three Tests played at this venue. Mahela Jayawardene made 119 in the second innings in 2006, Tillakaratne Dilshan hit 193 in the first innings in 2011 and the current captain, Angelo Mathews, made 102 in the first innings of the 2014 Test.
England are 2-0 up with one Test to play, but the match starting on Thursday has more riding on it than it might appear for the hosts after recent series victories ended on a low note.
Last year, having won the Ashes, England suffered an innings and 46-run defeat by Australia in the fifth Test at The Oval.
There was a similarly heavy reverse in South Africa in January when, 2-0 up with one to play, England lost the fourth Test at Centurion by 280 runs.
Although they won the second Test against Sri Lanka in Chester-le-Street by nine wickets, there were warning signs for England during that success.
Sri Lanka, having become the first team since New Zealand in 1958 to be dismissed for under 120 in three successive Test innings, made 475 in the second knock in Durham -- including a fine hundred by Dinesh Chandimal.
Top-order batsman Nick Compton has been struggling for runs, and fast bowler Steven Finn for wickets.
With England having again selected a 12-man squad, it looks as if Compton will get another match at number three.
Steven Finn's place is under threat from uncapped seamer Jake Ball, although England appear ready to retain the Middlesex quick.
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