>
>
Following a relatively low key test series, England and Sri Lanka meet in a Twenty20 international this weekend, writes Thomas Rooney.
Spectators will be hoping that is an action packed match that isn’t affected by weather after rain has been the dominant factor of the English summer so far.
Perhaps a Twenty20 fixture is what the summer needs to get it going again.
Of course the recent test series had its moments, but an explosion of limited overs cricket could get the country buzzing again ahead of India’s visit to England.
One of the most significant factors to Saturday’s Twenty20 international is that it will be Stuart Broad’s first game as captain in this form.
The all-rounder – who has had a mixed time with the ball of late – was announced as the Twenty20 captain earlier this year and will be determined to shake off an ankle knock to lead his country.
Presuming he does make it fitness wise, Broad would love to get off to a winning start as captain. There are not too many Twenty20 internationals, so he needs to work on his captaincy credentials in every single one.
Looking at the squad he is in charge of, the significant absentees are Matt Prior, James Anderson and Paul Collingwood. There is then a return for World Twenty20 winner Michael Lumb as well as Nottinghamshire’s Samit Patel.
Craig Kieswetter has also been given the nod as wicket-keeper and he will opening the batting with Lumb this weekend as England go with the same pair that started at the top of the order during the Twenty20 World Cup.
It is difficult to predict a winner in this game. Twenty20 in England is very different to anywhere else in the world and although Sri Lanka are strong in this form, home advantage could be enough for England.
Perhaps more important is the emergence of Broad as a captain. If he can lead his team to a win, contributing with bat and ball in the process, it will set him and England up nicely for the rest of the summer.
The game takes place at 2pm on Saturday at Bristol. Hopefully the sun shines on Broad’s opening match as England Twenty20 captain.
