Dernbach pushing for England start at Lord’s

There may be sound reasons, especially if cloud cover were set to hang over London for the next five days, to hand Jade Dernbach a Test debut.

As Andrew Strauss diplomatically pondered the conundrum yesterday, he was happy to issue a public testimony of Dernbach’s emerging skills in which England will continue to invest.

In the immediate term, however, it will weigh heavily in favour of a Test return on his home ground for Steven Finn that there is a perception Sri Lanka’s diminutive batsmen may be uncomfortable against the bounce generated by him and his fellow 6ft 6ins-plus seamers Stuart Broad and Chris Tremlett.

“When you are making that decision you’ve got to look at the opposition you’re playing against, the wicket – I suppose the weather forecast as well to a certain extent – and the balance you need to take 20 wickets,” said England captain Strauss.

“That’s what we’ll be doing (today).”

Dernbach is a close like-for-like replacement in England’s 12 for James Anderson, unable to bowl because of his side injury as the hosts bundled Sri Lanka out for 82 in Cardiff on Monday to pull off a remarkable innings victory and go 1-0 up in this three-match npower series.

If he does not get his chance here, he may have to vie with a fit-again Anderson for the final Test at the Rose Bowl.

Even so, Strauss has been impressed by what he has seen from the Surrey recruit. “He’s a man in form; he did brilliantly on the Lions tour (in the West Indies); he’s been bowling well this season; he had some success against Sri Lanka in Derby, and he’s a swing bowler – so he does offer that variety,” he said.

“He’s a genuine pitch-it-up swing bowler and he’s got good skills and variation, so we are quite excited about him.

“It’s good to have him in the squad, and he definitely adds something we haven’t had before.”

Irrespective of who completes England’s pace attack, Strauss will ensure they are under no illusion that they merely have to turn up to roll over Sri Lanka again.

“I always think it’s dangerous to think you’ve got the momentum and you can shove people’s noses in it – it’s just not the way it works,” said the England captain.

“If you’ve had a poor performance as a side you come out almost doubly determined to prove you’re better than that.

“I don’t think we can assume anything against Sri Lanka, especially with the quality in their side,” he added.