Sussex star Robinson on stand-by as England head to Sri Lanka

Ollie Robinson has been consistent for Sussex in recent seasons and is now close to a full England Test debut / Picture: Getty

The England national selectors have named a 16-strong squad and seven travelling reserves for the men’s Test tour of Sri Lanka. The touring party depart on January 2 and will play two Test matches behind closed doors at Galle International Cricket Stadium on 14-18 January and 22-26 January.

Sussex pace ace Robinson is one of seven reserves - while England Test regular and Robinson's Hove teammate Jofra Archer is being rested for the trip.

England Men’s Test Squad: Joe Root (Yorkshire) (captain), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Dom Bess (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Zak Crawley (Kent), Sam Curran (Surrey), Ben Foakes (Surrey), Dan Lawrence (Essex), Jack Leach (Somerset), Dom Sibley (Warwickshire), Olly Stone (Warwickshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham).

Reserves: James Bracey (Gloucestershire), Mason Crane (Hampshire), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Craig Overton (Somerset), Matthew Parkinson (Lancashire), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Amar Virdi (Surrey).

Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes have been rested for the tour and will return in February for the Test series against India.

The selectors will provide a block of rest for all multi-format players at various points over the winter period.

Surrey batsman Rory Burns misses the tour as his wife is expecting their first child during the second week of January.

Ollie Pope, who is recovering from a shoulder injury sustained in September during the Test series against Pakistan, will join the squad and continue his rehab in readiness for the four-match Test series against India starting in February.

England Tour of Sri Lanka – January 2021

Saturday 2 January: Touring party departs from London to Hambantota

Tuesday 5-9 January: Training and preparation at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota

Thursday 14-18 January: 1st Test match – Sri Lanka v England, Galle International Cricket Stadium, Galle

Friday 22-26 January: 2nd Test match – Sri Lanka v England, Galle International Cricket Stadium, Galle

Wednesday 27 January: Touring party departs Sri Lanka