By Jon Steer
May 11 2006

Liam Plunkett will make his home test debut today against Sri Lanka at Lord's. The decision to include him in the final eleven was confirmed this morning. Liam will line up alongside fellow Durham player Paul Collingwood who will be looking to cement his place in the England line up. Both Durham players know that their places could be under threat when other England players return from injury.

Plunkett's and Sajid Mahmood who makes his test debut today will be in competition with Steve Harmison and Simon Jones for the fourth seamer's position while Paul Collingwood could miss out when captain Michael Vaughan returns.

Collingwood will be keen to show what he can do and make sure that he keeps himself ahead of Ian Bell and Alistair Cook in the mind's of the selectors.

Steve Harmison was due to play for Durham against Middlesex which started yesterday but it was the birth of his third child rather than injury that kept him out. Harmy will now have to play in the championship match next week to prove his fitness ahead of the second test which starts in two weeks time.