Previous Meetings: England vs Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford
Emirates Old Trafford will host the first Men’s Test between England and Sri Lanka from Wednesday 21 to Sunday 25 August 2024.
This will be the 37th meeting between the two sides in the longest form of the game and only the second time in Test match cricket at Emirates Old Trafford.
As we build up to next summer and with the ticket ballot open for our 2024 internationals, we take a look back at the last four encounters - across all formats - at Emirates Old Trafford between these two great cricketing nations.
The first Test between England and Sri Lanka to be held at Emirates Old Trafford was in the summer of 2002. On Day One, Nasser Hussain won the toss and elected to bat with the first impact coming from opener Marcus Trescothick (81) who was later dismissed by Muttiah Muralitharan, who had four spells with Lancashire between 1999 and 2007. The first innings runs came from Mark Butcher and Alec Stewart, who both scored 123 – taking England to 512 all out.
In Sri Lanka’s first innings, they were bowled out for 253. Excellent bowling from Matthew Hoggard (3-38) and Alex Tudor (4-65) was too much for the Sri Lankan batting line up, resulting in the follow-on being enforced. Sri Lanka batted again and reached 308. This left England with 49 to win and Trescothick (23*) and Michael Vaughan (24*) scored 50 in five overs to win the game - with Player of the Match going to Tudor for his seven wickets.
In 2006, the home of Lancashire Cricket hosted the Fourth ODI of the series, between the sides. Batting first, Sri Lanka posted 318/7 thanks in the most part to Mahela Jayawardene who struck a quick brilliant century from just 83 deliveries. He was ably supported by Upul Tharanga (60) and Farveez Maharoof (58*) - the latter who went on to play for Lancashire in 2011.
In reply, England were bowled out for 285 with skipper Andrew Strauss top scoring with 45 as the visitors cruised to a 33-run win to wrap up the ODI series.
2011 saw a thriller of an ODI between England and Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford. With captain Sir Alistair Cook winning the toss, he elected to bat. England finished their 50 overs on a score of 268/9 with Jonathan Trott (72) and Eoin Morgan (57) both scoring half-centuries in Manchester.
In reply, Sri Lanka fell 16 runs short as they were bowled out in 48.2 overs. The England wickets were shared among the bowling attack with James Anderson on his home ground finishing with 2-55, Jade Dernbach with 2-49 and Tim Bresnan with 3-49. Player of the Match went to Trott for his first innings runs which set up the win.
Most recently, the two teams met in an ODI at Emirates Old Trafford in 2014, in a series the traveling side would go on to win 3-2. However, the home team’s bowling on an overcast day in Manchester was too much for Sri Lanka, as England won the toss and elected to bowl. Anderson shone once again on his home ground, picking up 2-10 off 7 overs.
However, the performance of the day went to Chris Jordan as he picked up 5-29. England took just 24 overs to knock Sri Lanka over for 67, their 3rd lowest ODI score of all time. In reply, the hosts did not faulter as the opening pair chased down their target in just 73 deliveries. With captain Cook scoring an unbeaten 30 and Ian Bell finishing on 41 not out. Jordan was awarded the Player of the Match as England won by 10 wickets, taking a 2-1 lead in the series.
2024 England Cricket Ticket Ballot: Open NOW!
The ticket ballot to watch the return of England Cricket at Emirates Old Trafford in 2024 is now open! The Three Lions welcome Sri Lanka and Australia next summer and tickets are expected to be in high demand, so enter the ballot today.
England v Sri Lanka Test Match: Wednesday 21 - Sunday 25 August 2024
England V Australia IT20: Sunday 15 September 2024
Want to beat the ballot? 2024 Memberships are on sale now and give you instant access to secure your tickets today! Tickets are expected to be in high demand, so enter the ballot today, or secure your tickets with a 2024 Membership. Click here to find out more.
The Ballot will run from Wednesday 30 August until Thursday 5 October 2023.