FWIW and I know it will open me up for derision, but I'd still probably pick Jennings for Sri Lanka.
Why?
Well for a start they need to pick at least 3 and maybe 4 (if Moeen or Root not going to bat 3) untested/unproven top order options in the squad. Assume they pick Burns on weight of runs. They are still going to need at least two more openers.
Who the **** are they going to pick? No one stands out. Gubbins has had a struggle this year and last, and looks uncomfortable against spin. Hameed playing second team cricket. Mitchell is nearly 35, doesn't have a good record in div 1, and most likely isn't good enough. Denly hasn't played div 1 cricket for a long time, probably well short of the standard too . Roy? lol .
At least Jennings has scored a hundred in test cricket in Asia. Playing spin is meant to be his strength. Lets face it there is going to very little pace bowled by SL so it's going to boil down to who plays spin best out of the top order options. None of the guys in county cricket (especially in div 2) are going to have faced much spin in recent times especially good spin. Unless they want to try and build a new partnership with a couple of youngish batsmen (say burns and gubbins) they may as well just pick the best players of spin.
The alternative is to promote a Bairstow or Buttler to open just for a one off for the series if they don't want to take 3 or 4 top order batsmen who they don't know much about and probably aren't good enough.
My squad
Burns, Jennings/(Gubbins)/Denly, Denly/Jennings/(Gubbins), Root, Bairstow, Buttler, Stokes, Livingstone, Ali, SCurran, Broad, Anderson, Leach, Porter, Stone/(Gleeson), Rashid/(Bess)
Livingstone had that brilliant lions tour of SL two years ago and is probably the most equipped of the lions bats to play spin well.
Woakes is rested. He's gotta find some pace and fitness from somewhere.
Denly gets the nod because of his experience playing 20 over cricket in asia- lol. and his improved leg spin which should make him a good 3rd spinner option.
I want to pick Bess but he just hasn't played enough. Rashid probably just gets the nod even though it's kind of pointless having him there- Denly will probably be more useful with the ball.
Stone and Gleeson both get quite a high % of their wickets by hitting the stumps. Both late 80s mph when fit. Stone the better long term bet and allround cricketer so he gets the nod. No point taking Coverton bowling his 78mph back of the length stuff.
Broad and Anderson only play test cricket. Really no point resting them. Anderson especially is required.
I'm probably taking one too many fast bowlers judging by the SL SA series but meh Porter goes to further his development – and it’s hard to find many spinners to offer options to the squa
