Muralitharan magic spells threat to England

In a few hours, the first Test between England and Sri Lanka at Lord's will get underway, the earliest ever start to an English season. Christopher Martin-Jenkins writes in The Times that it presents the home team — and Andrew Flintoff in particular — with a great opportunity.

But Jonathan Agnew writes in his column for BBC that while it is tempting - it would be foolish - to write Sri Lanka off in this series.

Can this English season sustain the enthusiasm created by the Ashes in 2005? Mike Selvey feels it can.

There may be an element of risk attached to giving four players home debuts in the same match but it is in England's long-term interest to select Alastair Cook, Liam Plunkett, Sajid Mahmood and Monty Panesar, says Angus Fraser in The Independent.