England v Sri Lanka: Chris Woakes replaces Ben Stokes for second Test

England head to Durham knowing victory over Sri Lanka in the second Investec Test, live on Sky Sports 2, will secure a series win.

Alastair Cook and his men were dominant in the first Test at Headingley, winning by an innings and 88 runs as Jonny Bairstow hit a century and James Anderson ended with match figures of 10-45.

Chester-le-Street has been a happy hunting ground for England over the years and they have won each of the five Tests played on the ground, including a 74-run triumph over Australia in the 2013 Ashes.

As well as wrapping up a Test series win, victory would put England 8-0 up in the Super Series although Angelo Mathews' side will endeavour to bounce back and draw level in both.

Team news

Cook has confirmed that Chris Woakes will replace the injured Ben Stokes in the England side meaning Jake Ball must again wait to make his debut.

With a knee injury ruling Stokes out of the rest of the series, the hosts are looking to maintain the balance of their side. As such, Woakes will slot in at No 8 with Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali moving up to six and seven, respectively.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will be without Dushmantha Chameera after the fast bowler was forced to return home having sustained a stress fracture to his lower back.

He becomes the second Sri Lankan seamer to withdraw from the tour after Dhammika Prasad was ruled out with a shoulder injury.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera has replaced Prasad in the squad after his provisional doping ban was lifted, but a return for the second Test seems unlikely.

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Form

Since defeat to Sri Lanka in 2014, England have lost just one of their last six Test series in a run that includes victories over India, South Africa and Australia.

Their one defeat came against Pakistan in the UAE last autumn but was swiftly followed by the aforementioned triumph in South Africa, and victory in Durham would secure back-to-back series wins.

Live Test Cricket

By contrast, Sri Lanka have played seven Test series since overcoming England two years ago, losing five.

Home victories over Pakistan, in 2014, and the West Indies last year are their only successes and defeat in the first Test means a second whitewash in as many series is possible after their 2-0 loss in New Zealand.

Watch England take on Sri Lanka in the second Investec Test at Chester-le-Street from 10am on Friday, live on Sky Sports 2. You can also keep up-to-date with all the action by following our live blog on skysports.com/cricket and catch highlights and The Verdict on Sky Sports after each day's play.