England pick Ben Foakes and Keaton Jennings for Test tour of Sri Lanka

Surrey wicketkeeper Foakes and Lancashire opener Jennings have been selected as part of a 16-man travelling party for the games in Colombo and Galle

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Ben Foakes and Keaton Jennings have both been included in England's squad for the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka.

Surrey wicketkeeper Foakes and Lancashire opener Jennings have been selected as part of a 16-man travelling party for the games in Colombo and Galle.

Jennings has spent part of the winter at an ECB pathway camp in Mumbai and has an excellent Test record in subcontinental conditions - his two centuries in the format have come in India and Sri Lanka.

Foakes, meanwhile, has considerable experience of playing in Sri Lanka - on the country's domestic circuit and with England Lions, prior to making his international debut on the last England Test trip to the island.

He is expected to play the understudy role to Jos Buttler, who retains his place despite inconsistent form against the red ball in South Africa.

Three spinners are picked in the squad, with Jack Leach considered to have recovered from the illnesses which blighted his winter.

^{Ben Foakes will tour Sri Lanka with England}

He is joined by Somerset teammate Dom Bess and young Lancashire legspinner Matt Parkinson.

Jimmy Anderson misses out, despite making himself available for selection after a rib injury, with England saying the seamer "will continue to condition and prepare ahead of the start of the English season".

Moeen Ali was not available and will instead take part in the Pakistan Super League with Multan Sultans, while Jonny Bairstow is omitted.

National selector Ed Smith said: "The selection panel has supported continuity after a successful series victory in South Africa.

"The South Africa tour marked the emergence of a very exciting group of young players, creating a nice balance with an experienced core of senior players.

"That squad is mostly retained, with some tweaks to the squad relevant to injury, rest and the challenges of playing in sub-continent conditions."

Squad: Joe Root, Dom Bess, Sturt Broad, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Ben Foakes, Keaton Jennings, Jack Leach, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Dominic Sibley, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

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