Joe Root: The first match of the three-Test series between England and Sri Lanka will be played at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester from Wednesday (21 August). According to Indian time, this match will start at 3.30 pm. In this match, England's legendary batsman Joe Root will have a chance to make a special record.

Chance to beat Chris Gayle

If Root scores 152 runs in this match, he will surpass Chris Gayle to reach the 13th position in the list of players who have scored the most runs in international cricket. Root has scored 19442 runs in 451 innings of 346 matches played in all three formats. Gayle has scored 19593 runs in 551 innings of 483 matches.

Most Test centuries for England

If Root manages to score a century in this match, he will jointly reach the first position in terms of scoring the most centuries for England in Tests. Currently this record is in the name of former batsman Alastair Cook, who has scored 33 centuries in this format.

Dravid-Can move ahead from Border

With a half-century, Rahul Dravid will surpass Allan Border to reach the third spot in the list of players with the most half-centuries in Tests. Currently, all three players are jointly at the third spot with 63 half-centuries. Only Sachin Tendulkar (68) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (66) are ahead of them.

It is worth noting that England announced its playing eleven for this match. Ollie Pope was made the captain of the team in place of Ben Stokes, who was out of the series due to injury. Harry Brook has been given the responsibility of vice-captaincy.

England's playing XI for the first Test

Dan Lawrence, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Mark Wood, Shoaib Bashir