England to tour Sri Lanka for Test series in 2020

Former Sri Lanka cricketer Kumar Sangakkara has confirmed that the security situation in Sri Lanka has "improved dramatically". A series of bombings on Easter had the entire nation shaken but they have since stood tall and even hosted New Zealand in August. Now, England are set to tour the country next year, as a part of the World Test Championship, and will play two Test matches at Galle and Colombo, respectively. This will be the first time that England play a Test at Colombo's R Premadasa stadium.

"It's safe, it's secure, Sri Lanka is completely back to normal and we're looking forward to welcoming more and more visitors from around the world," he said, reported ESPN Cricinfo. "England is touring next March and from a UK perspective that is very significant, because we get a huge amount of followers that come and enjoy the country while watching great cricket."

The two Test matches, starting on March 19, will be preceded by a couple of tour matches with the first commencing on March 7, 2020. Sri Lanka would want to turn things around this time as the hosts had lost 3-0 to England last year.

Schedule:

Tour matches: March 7-9 at Katunayake, CMCG, March 12-15 at Colombo, P Sara Oval

Test matches: March 19-23 - 1st Test at Galle; March 27-31 - 2nd Test at Colombo, R. Premadasa Stadium