5 things to look forward to from the second half of 2018

#4 Can England overcome the Asian Test?

Can Root and co. overcome the Asian challenge?

If there is one word to describe the form of the present England team in Test cricket, it would be patchy. The Joe Root-led side have not yet found a formula which could make them a lot more consistent than what they are at present and with a series against India and a trip to Sri Lanka in the pipeline, the sooner they find that, the better.

Couple of key questions that Root and Trevor Bayliss have to answer is how do they further instill confidence in the likes of a Dominic Bess ahead of the trip to Sri Lanka. The Tests against India are lined up in August, meaning the pitches could be on the drier side. Will they then look to leave them that way to bring him more into the game? The countereffect to that would mean the likes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad could have a miniature role to play and might not have the same impact as they usually do.

Also, it is high time that the management somehow stops the ever-continuous musical chair about Alastair Cook's opening partner because, in the sub-continent, the opening partnership becomes vital in order to ensure the middle order don't get exposed early.

Series in the second half of 2018:

Tests

Vs India, home: 5 matches, August 1st- September 11th

Vs Sri Lanka, away: 3 matches, November 6th-November 27th

ODIs

Vs Australia, home: 5 matches, June 13th-June 24th

Vs India, home: 3 matches, July 12th-July 17th

Vs Sri Lanka, away: 5 matches, October 10th-October 23rd

T20Is

Vs Australia, home: June 27th

Vs India, home: 3 matches, July 3rd-July 8th

Vs Sri Lanka away: October 27th.