It is Sam Curran’s weight of runs that would be missed far more than his bowling. He has only bowled 15 overs in the series and not at all in the Sri Lankan second innings of this match. If Bairstow replaces Curran it would still leave England with two seamers in James Anderson and Stokes, which will probably be enough in Colombo.
Sri Lanka vs England 2018: Sam Curran Unlikely to Be Fit For the Third Test
Nov 18, 2018 at 12:20 PM
England cricket team all-rounder Sam Curran is unlikely to be fit for the third and the final Test against Sri Lanka starting from November 23 (Friday).
Meanwhile, this will force England to consider changing the team for the first time in the series. Curran did not take the field on Saturday and was having treatment on a right side strain. He suffered while hitting a six in England’s first innings.
However, Sam Curran’s injury will open options for Jonny Bairstow, who missed the opening two Tests due to an ankle injury. Bairstow is likely to bat at three, giving him an opportunity to solve England’s problem position with the rest shifting down the order. Jonny Bairstow is the fourth batsmen to bat at three in the opening two encounters.