England's Jonny Bairstow Thursday said the addition of South African great Jacques Kallis as batting consultant is a "fantastic addition" to their squad during the Sri Lanka tour.

The 45-year-old Kallis has flown in from South Africa to join England for their two-Test series in Sri Lanka starting January 14.

Bairstow, who is expected to make his Test return after more than a year, is looking forward to working with the class of Kallis, whom he rates as the "best ever all-rounder".

"I think it is a fantastic addition, someone of Jacques' calibre," Bairstow told reporters in a virtual chat from his hotel room in Hambantota.

"The things he has done within the game, in my eyes he is the best all-rounder that there has ever been.

"Someone that batted at the top of the order, caught absolute flies at slip and got so many wickets as well."

Kallis scored 13,289 runs at an average of over 55 in 166 Tests and took 292 wickets with his pace bowling during his 19-year-old international career.

Only India's Sachin Tendulkar and former Australia captain Ricky Ponting have scored more runs than the former Proteas all-rounder in the five-day format.

Bairstow, 31, believes he has a lot to learn from the South African legend who is in isolation in Sri Lanka and should join the squad on Friday.

"There are so many different aspects you could speak to him about.&nbsp;I am really intrigued to spend more time with him and gauge and understand the process," said Bairstow.

"Because to string all three bits together so successfully, over such a long period of time, is a skill in itself.

"It's great to have Jacques around and I am really looking forward to spending some time with him and working with him."

The England team, led by Joe Root, underwent their second training session in Hambantota on Thursday after an early setback when all-rounder Moeen Ali tested positive for Covid 19.

England's Jonny Bairstow Thursday said the addition of South African great Jacques Kallis as batting consultant is a "fantastic addition" to their squad during the Sri Lanka tour.

England's Jonny Bairstow Thursday said the addition of South African great Jacques Kallis as batting consultant is a "fantastic addition" to their squad during the Sri Lanka tour. The 45-year-old Kallis has flown in from South Africa to join England for their two-Test series in Sri Lanka starting January 14. Bairstow, who is expected to make his Test return after more than a year, is looking forward to working with the class of Kallis, whom he rates as the "best ever all-rounder". "I think it is a fantastic addition, someone of Jacques' calibre," Bairstow told reporters in a virtual chat from his hotel room in Hambantota. "The things he has done within the game, in my eyes he is the best all-rounder that there has ever been. "Someone that batted at the top of the order, caught absolute flies at slip and got so many wickets as well." Kallis scored 13,289 runs at an average of over 55 in 166 Tests and took 292 wickets with his pace bowling during his 19-year-old international career. Only India's Sachin Tendulkar and former Australia captain Ricky Ponting have scored more runs than the former Proteas all-rounder in the five-day format. Bairstow, 31, believes he has a lot to learn from the South African legend who is in isolation in Sri Lanka and should join the squad on Friday. "There are so many different aspects you could speak to him about. I am really intrigued to spend more time with him and gauge and understand the process," said Bairstow. "Because to string all three bits together so successfully, over such a long period of time, is a skill in itself. "It's great to have Jacques around and I am really looking forward to spending some time with him and working with him." The England team, led by Joe Root, underwent their second training session in Hambantota on Thursday after an early setback when all-rounder Moeen Ali tested positive for Covid 19.

Bairstow hails Kallis as 'fantastic addition' for England

England are all set to fly to Sri Lanka as planned on Saturday for their two-match Test series after the touring party tested negative for coronavirus, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Friday.

The squad will immediately undergo two weeks of quarantine and training in Hambantota and during the period, all the touring party will be tested every two days.&nbsp; 
England will then embark on a journey to Galle for the first Test where they will stay in a bio-secure bubble.

"Following the Covid-19 testing on 30 December, the touring party for the Sri Lanka Test tour have all tested negative. We fly tomorrow (Saturday) evening," said an ECB spokesperson.

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The England tour of Sri Lanka was originally scheduled to be played in March but was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The first Test is set to go live from January 14-18 with the second Test scheduled from January 22-26 in Galle. There were major fears for the rescheduled dates following the identification of a new and massively contagious strain of the coronavirus.

The recent white-ball series in South Africa was also cut short after a handful of positive cases at the team hotel. However, the ECB and SLC went ahead with the plan for the two-Test series which will be played under the banner of ICC World Test Championship (WTC).

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-announce-squad-for-last-two-test-vs-australia-rohit-sharma-appointed-vice-captain-353820" hreflang="en">India announce squad for last two Test vs Australia, Rohit Sharma appointed vice-captain</a>

England are currently fourth in the ICC World Test Championship rankings with 60.8 win percentage while Sri Lanka are seventh with just 26.8 win percentage as the final few series under ICC WTC approaches thick and fast.

England are all set to fly to Sri Lanka as planned on Saturday for their two-match Test series after the touring party tested negative for coronavirus, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Friday.

England are all set to fly to Sri Lanka as planned on Saturday for their two-match Test series after the touring party tested negative for coronavirus, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Friday. The squad will immediately undergo two weeks of quarantine and training in Hambantota and during the period, all the touring party will be tested every two days. England will then embark on a journey to Galle for the first Test where they will stay in a bio-secure bubble. "Following the Covid-19 testing on 30 December, the touring party for the Sri Lanka Test tour have all tested negative. We fly tomorrow (Saturday) evening," said an ECB spokesperson. ALSO READ: 'Very disciplined' - Marnus Labuschagne lauds Indian bowlers but wants Aussies to 'grind' for runs The England tour of Sri Lanka was originally scheduled to be played in March but was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak. The first Test is set to go live from January 14-18 with the second Test scheduled from January 22-26 in Galle. There were major fears for the rescheduled dates following the identification of a new and massively contagious strain of the coronavirus. The recent white-ball series in South Africa was also cut short after a handful of positive cases at the team hotel. However, the ECB and SLC went ahead with the plan for the two-Test series which will be played under the banner of ICC World Test Championship (WTC). ALSO READ: India announce squad for last two Test vs Australia, Rohit Sharma appointed vice-captain England are currently fourth in the ICC World Test Championship rankings with 60.8 win percentage while Sri Lanka are seventh with just 26.8 win percentage as the final few series under ICC WTC approaches thick and fast.

England set to fly for Sri Lanka tour after clearing COVID-19 tests

South African cricket icon Jacques Kallis will be a batting consultant for England's tour of Sri Lanka, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Monday.&nbsp;

The 45-year-old is third on the all-time list of Test run-scorers with 13,289 --he also took 292 wickets.

Kallis coached Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League and worked with the South Africa team, but was not part of the set-up for England's recent coronavirus-disrupted tour.

"Former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis joins the England setup for the first time as batting coaching consultant," the ECB said in a statement.

England will leave for Sri Lanka on January 2 and play two Tests before going on to tour India.

Both Tests will be played in Galle, starting on 14 January and 22 January.

It will be England's first tour since the visit to South Africa had to be brought to a premature end earlier this month after two members of the touring party tested positive for Covid-19. They later tested negative.&nbsp;

England played all three of the scheduled Twenty 20 internationals but none of the three ODIs, the first of which was postponed after a positive test in the South African entourage.

South African cricket icon Jacques Kallis will be a batting consultant for England's tour of Sri Lanka, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Monday. The 45-year-old is third on the all-time list of Test run-scorers with 13,289 --he also took 292 wickets.

South African cricket icon Jacques Kallis will be a batting consultant for England's tour of Sri Lanka, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Monday. The 45-year-old is third on the all-time list of Test run-scorers with 13,289 --he also took 292 wickets. Kallis coached Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League and worked with the South Africa team, but was not part of the set-up for England's recent coronavirus-disrupted tour. "Former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis joins the England setup for the first time as batting coaching consultant," the ECB said in a statement. England will leave for Sri Lanka on January 2 and play two Tests before going on to tour India. Both Tests will be played in Galle, starting on 14 January and 22 January. It will be England's first tour since the visit to South Africa had to be brought to a premature end earlier this month after two members of the touring party tested positive for Covid-19. They later tested negative. England played all three of the scheduled Twenty 20 internationals but none of the three ODIs, the first of which was postponed after a positive test in the South African entourage.

England hire South African batting legend Kallis for Sri Lanka tour

The schedule for England Test tour of Sri Lanka has been confirmed. England will play two Test matches behind closed doors at the Galle International Cricket Stadium from January 2021.

The England and Wales Cricket Board and Sri Lanka Cricket have agreed to biosecurity and travel plans for what is a rearranged tour following the postponement in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first Test will commence on 14-18 January with the second Test on 22-26 January.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/virat-kohli-hints-at-skipping-pink-ball-warm-up-match-against-australia-a-348609" hreflang="en">Virat Kohli hints at skipping pink-ball warm-up match against Australia A</a>

The touring party will depart on a chartered flight on 2 January and will be subject to quarantine in Hambantota. During this period, the team will be able to train and prepare for five days from 5-9 January at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.

The two-match Test series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship. This will be England’s penultimate series in the inaugural tournament, and they hope to conclude their campaign against India in February, subject to confirmation of the India tour schedule.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/suresh-raina-to-return-for-ipl-202021-and-syed-mushtaq-ali-348610" hreflang="en">Suresh Raina to return for IPL 2020/21 and Syed Mushtaq Ali</a>

<h2 data-ogsc="rgb(85, 85, 85)">England tour of Sri Lanka: Complete Schedule</h2>

Saturday 2 January:&nbsp;Touring party departs from London to Hambantota

Tuesday 5-9 January:&nbsp;Training and preparation at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota

Thursday 14-18 January:&nbsp;1st Test match – Sri Lanka v England, Galle International Cricket Stadium, Galle

Friday 22-26 January:&nbsp;2nd Test match – Sri Lanka v England, Galle International Cricket Stadium, Galle

Wednesday 27 January:&nbsp;Touring party departs Sri Lanka

The schedule for England Test tour of Sri Lanka has been confirmed. England will play two Test matches behind closed doors at the Galle International Cricket Stadium from January 2021.

The schedule for England Test tour of Sri Lanka has been confirmed. England will play two Test matches behind closed doors at the Galle International Cricket Stadium from January 2021. The England and Wales Cricket Board and Sri Lanka Cricket have agreed to biosecurity and travel plans for what is a rearranged tour following the postponement in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first Test will commence on 14-18 January with the second Test on 22-26 January. ALSO READ: Virat Kohli hints at skipping pink-ball warm-up match against Australia A The touring party will depart on a chartered flight on 2 January and will be subject to quarantine in Hambantota. During this period, the team will be able to train and prepare for five days from 5-9 January at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium. The two-match Test series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship. This will be England’s penultimate series in the inaugural tournament, and they hope to conclude their campaign against India in February, subject to confirmation of the India tour schedule. ALSO READ: Suresh Raina to return for IPL 2020/21 and Syed Mushtaq Ali England tour of Sri Lanka: Complete Schedule Saturday 2 January: Touring party departs from London to Hambantota Tuesday 5-9 January: Training and preparation at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota Thursday 14-18 January: 1st Test match – Sri Lanka v England, Galle International Cricket Stadium, Galle Friday 22-26 January: 2nd Test match – Sri Lanka v England, Galle International Cricket Stadium, Galle Wednesday 27 January: Touring party departs Sri Lanka

​England's Test tour of Sri Lanka confirmed; here's complete schedule

England's cricket team abruptly pulled out of a tour of Sri Lanka on Friday over the "unprecedented" crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

A practice match in Colombo was halted as the team announced they would be flying back to London, and the first of two Test matches due to start on March 19 has been indefinitely postponed.

"At this time, the physical and mental wellbeing of our players and support teams is paramount," said an England and Wales Cricket Board statement announcing the end of the tour.

"We will now look to bring them home to their families as soon as possible. These are completely unprecedented times, and decisions like this go beyond cricket."

The four-day practice game against a Sri Lankan Board President's XI side was halted near the end of the second day.

England were fielding when captain Joe Root came on to call the players off.

The match attracted few spectators. Only a handful of England fans and a dozen locals were at the grounds to watch the two teams ahead of the first Test in Galle.

Root made it clear this week that players had been told to take extra precautions and not have contact with fans or members of the opposing team.

"It is against our nature as a team, we quite like to socialise and interact with fans and take selfies, autographs and stuff. But it means that we can't do that on this trip," Root told reporters on Wednesday.

There were no handshakes between the teams before the practice game.

Sri Lanka has reported just three coronavirus cases since the start of the crisis which has left more than 4,300 dead around the world.

"We were told that England wants to return because of the threat of the coronavirus," a Sri Lankan cricket official told AFP.

"They decided to stop the practice match immediately and get back home."

The move came as Sri Lanka shut schools across the country and banned travellers from Iran, Italy and South Korea and stopped issuing on-arrival visas to nationals of 48 countries, including Britain.

England's cricket team abruptly pulled out of a tour of Sri Lanka on Friday over the "unprecedented" crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. A practice match in Colombo was halted as the team announced they would be flying back to London, and the first of two Test matches due to start on March 19 has been indefinitely postponed.

England's cricket team abruptly pulled out of a tour of Sri Lanka on Friday over the "unprecedented" crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. A practice match in Colombo was halted as the team announced they would be flying back to London, and the first of two Test matches due to start on March 19 has been indefinitely postponed. "At this time, the physical and mental wellbeing of our players and support teams is paramount," said an England and Wales Cricket Board statement announcing the end of the tour. "We will now look to bring them home to their families as soon as possible. These are completely unprecedented times, and decisions like this go beyond cricket." The four-day practice game against a Sri Lankan Board President's XI side was halted near the end of the second day. England were fielding when captain Joe Root came on to call the players off. The match attracted few spectators. Only a handful of England fans and a dozen locals were at the grounds to watch the two teams ahead of the first Test in Galle. Root made it clear this week that players had been told to take extra precautions and not have contact with fans or members of the opposing team. "It is against our nature as a team, we quite like to socialise and interact with fans and take selfies, autographs and stuff. But it means that we can't do that on this trip," Root told reporters on Wednesday. There were no handshakes between the teams before the practice game. Sri Lanka has reported just three coronavirus cases since the start of the crisis which has left more than 4,300 dead around the world. "We were told that England wants to return because of the threat of the coronavirus," a Sri Lankan cricket official told AFP. "They decided to stop the practice match immediately and get back home." The move came as Sri Lanka shut schools across the country and banned travellers from Iran, Italy and South Korea and stopped issuing on-arrival visas to nationals of 48 countries, including Britain.

England end Sri Lanka cricket tour amid coronavirus pandemic

Off-spinner Moeen Ali struck twice in three deliveries as England completed a 57-run victory in the second test against Sri Lanka on the final day on Sunday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Left-arm spinner Jack Leach picked up the final wicket of the Sri Lanka innings to complete a maiden five-wicket haul in his third test with the hosts all out for 243.

Sri Lanka, who resumed the final day on 226-7 needing 75 for victory, kept the England spinners at bay for 15 minutes in the morning before Moeen dismissed Niroshan Dickwella, who was caught at slip by Ben Stokes for 35.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Spinners Jack Leach and Moeen Ali lead England to a series-clinching win over Sri Lanka in the second Test.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SLvENG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SLvENG</a> REPORT ⬇️<a href="https://t.co/4dpg8wupVP">https://t.co/4dpg8wupVP</a> <a href="https://t.co/DCzLuUf7Hc">pic.twitter.com/DCzLuUf7Hc</a>
— ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1064031357918015488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The off-spinner then sent back Sri Lanka's stand-in captain Suranga Lakmal for a duck two deliveries later.

Malinda Pushpakumara spooned a catch straight back to Leach as England completed their first away series win in tests since they won in South Africa at the beginning of 2016.

Off-spinner Moeen Ali struck twice in three deliveries as England completed a 57-run victory in the second test against Sri Lanka on the final day on Sunday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Off-spinner Moeen Ali struck twice in three deliveries as England completed a 57-run victory in the second test against Sri Lanka on the final day on Sunday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Left-arm spinner Jack Leach picked up the final wicket of the Sri Lanka innings to complete a maiden five-wicket haul in his third test with the hosts all out for 243. Sri Lanka, who resumed the final day on 226-7 needing 75 for victory, kept the England spinners at bay for 15 minutes in the morning before Moeen dismissed Niroshan Dickwella, who was caught at slip by Ben Stokes for 35. Spinners Jack Leach and Moeen Ali lead England to a series-clinching win over Sri Lanka in the second Test.#SLvENG REPORT ⬇️https://t.co/4dpg8wupVP pic.twitter.com/DCzLuUf7Hc — ICC (@ICC) November 18, 2018 × The off-spinner then sent back Sri Lanka's stand-in captain Suranga Lakmal for a duck two deliveries later. Malinda Pushpakumara spooned a catch straight back to Leach as England completed their first away series win in tests since they won in South Africa at the beginning of 2016.

ENG vs SL, 2nd Test: England beat Sri Lanka by 57 runs to bag series

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