Together with all-rounder Stokes, England are additionally lacking opener Zak Crawley, who broke a finger on the ultimate day of the 3-0 sequence win towards West Indies final month.
Of their absence, Dan Lawrence will open the batting and Matthew Potts has been named as an additional seamer. Harry Brook steps up as Pope’s vice-captain.
England’s final Take a look at at Outdated Trafford, towards Australia final summer time, was ruined by rain, ending the house aspect’s possibilities of regaining the Ashes. The forecast this week is blended for Sri Lanka’s first Take a look at on this nation in eight years.
“I’ve not appeared too intently on the climate as a result of if it rains, it rains, but it surely’s not going to vary the way in which we essentially go about it,” stated Pope.
“A 3-0 win is all the time the goal. If we will preserve taking part in our greatest cricket, like we’ve got, then hopefully we will look again in three or 4 weeks and that’s the tip end result.
“They’d have watched us, and the way we’ve performed within the West Indies, and they are going to be able to throw some punches themselves. If we will play our greatest cricket, hopefully we will get that 3-0.”
Sri Lanka, who’ve former England batter Ian Bell of their teaching workers, are handing a Take a look at debut to seamer Milan Rathnayake.
And the vacationers’ captain Dhananjaya de Silva stated his aspect “perhaps” have a greater probability of success due to Stokes’ absence.
“He is the important thing participant for them,” stated De Silva. “We have now probability.
“It is a very long time since we final performed right here, however we’ve got skilled gamers. I do know the circumstances and I’ve an concept of what we’ve got to do.
“We’re a going for a win and that’s the solely factor on my thoughts.”
Earlier than play on day one there shall be tributes to former England batter Graham Thorpe, who died earlier this month on the age of 55.
There shall be a video performed on screens inside the bottom and a second’s applause shall be held.