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England name unchanged squad for second Test against Sri Lanka

England name an unchanged 12-man squad, that does not includes a frontline spinner, for the second Test against Sri Lanka at Headingley which begins on Friday.

England have again gone without a spinner for the second Test against Sri Lanka at Headingley, naming the same 12 that fell one wicket short of victory at Lord's.

Alastair Cook admitted after the draw last week that they were short of a frontline slow bowler, but has stuck with the part-time options of Moeen Ali and Joe Root.

Liam Plunkett, who made his international return after seven years, is expected to retain his place in a four-man seam attack, with Warwickshire all-rounder Chris Woakes likely to miss out on the XI.

Middle-order batsman Ian Bell, who made his Test debut against West Indies in 2004, will make his 100th appearance for England in the longest format when play in Yorkshire begins on Friday.

Root and Gary Ballance go into the match at their home ground on the back of scores of 200 not out and 104 not out respectively, while Sam Robson will get another go at the top after failing on debut.

England (from): Alastair Cook [c], Sam Robson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Moeen Ali, Matt Prior (wk), Chris Jordan, Stuart Broad, Liam Plunkett, James Anderson, Chris Woakes

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Englands Gary Ballance plays a sweep shot watched by Sri Lankas wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene (L) and Sri Lankas Mahela Jayawardene (C) during play on the fourth day of the first cricket Test match between England and Sri Lanka at Lord's cricket groun
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