Eng vs SL, 1st Test: Sanath Jayasuriya plays down 'Bazball' hype, says it is just 'media publicity'

Sri Lanka is set to lock horns with Ben Stokes-less England in the first Test of the three-match series, at Old Trafford, Manchester on Aug 21 (Wednesday). Ahead of the series opener, interim head coach Sanath Jayasuriya played down the hype around 'Bazball' and claimed that it is 'just media publicity' as the ultra-aggressive batting approach was evident even during his playing days, especially by Australian openers Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden.

'Hayden andGilchrist did it too.It has just been some media publicity'

Talking to the press about England's Bazball approach, Jayasuriya said, "You get various styles depending on the time. Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist did it too during our time. This is something similar to what we have had in the past. There has just been some media publicity that this is something new. They try to play attacking cricket from the outset, but the end goal is to get to those totals of 300 or 400."

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Jayasuriya, however, acknowledgedEngland's aggressive batting approach in the first 10 overs, saying the visitors are aware of it. The Sri Lankanmentioned, "It's in the first ten overs that there will be the most pressure I think. If you look historically, they have been attacking in that first ten overs and getting runs on the board quickly. We have got some plans to counter that. And we know this is how they will play."

He further added, "We have to bowl in the right places, and if they hit the good balls, that's okay. We need to identify the right lengths given the conditions. There will be times when we need to cover the areas of the field where they are attacking, to cut down the boundaries."

England will be led by Ollie Pope after regular Test skipper Stokes injured himself during The Hundred. The hosts have already announced their playing XI for the Manchester Test.

England playing XI:Dan Lawrence, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (c), Joe Root, Harry Brook (vc), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Mark Wood, Shoaib Bashir.

Sri Lanka squad:Dhananjaya De Silva (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka, Pathum Nissanka, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Nisala Tharaka, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milan Rathnayake.