England v Sri Lanka: Jon Lewis defends decision to rest experienced players after series defeat

Before the series, it was confirmed that Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Danni Wyatt would miss a game or all of the white -ball matches.

England lost the T20 game 2-1, the first time they have lost a series against Sri Lanka.

"It was 100% the right decision," Lewis said of the selection.< /p>

"We came to the series seeing it as a real opportunity to develop our young players and put them under pressure."

Seamstress Mahika Gaur, 17, debuted on the show, while Bess Heath and Lauren Filer were included in the team but are yet to be introduced.

Promising all-rounder Freya Kemp returned to the side after a stress fracture, Maia Bouchier replaced Dunkley topped the order, and Issy Wong featured in Game 2 after going matchless during the Summer Ashes.

But neither really managed to seize their chance, with Bouchier taking a few starts without insisting, Kemp struggled to get to six and had to rebuild after England lost her first place finish, while Wong's issues with her race were evident in her. an exit.

However, Lewis kept the selection decisions as a chance to test some of his young talent .

"Eliminating some of our senior players comes with an element of risk and when you put players in those situations, you want to see how they react," he told BBC Sport after the third T20 in Derby.

"We could have put our more experienced players or more of our experienced players in these situations, but then we will not learn what is happening under our team."

England's batter was the biggest concern in the loss, having been knocked out for 104 and 116 in the last two games, and struggling in particular against the effects.

While England's next challenge will be in India in December and the next T20 World Cup will be held in Bangladesh in 2024, Lewis acknowledged there is a lot of work to be done.

"It's something we're aware of," Lewis said. "We also didn't play well against Ashleigh Gardner during the Ashes.

"In preparation for the India Series match, we are going to Oman and we are going to recreate the conditions that we could have.

"Before that, some girls go to the Big Bash, and I think I'll take five or six of them in mumbai in a specialized batting camp. We're going to go there, work and try to improve.

Despite the absence of these big names, the England team still had plenty of experience with captain Heather Knight, opener Wyatt and wicketkeeper Amy Jones and setter Kate Cross.

Spinners Charlie Dean and Sarah Glenn are also mainstays of England's white ball teams despite their youth, the result therefore remains a major disappointment - their first series loss against a team other than Australia since 2010.

"England will be disappointed. She has to be," former England player Alex Hartley told BBC Two.

"They entered the series as heavy favorites.

"We all said something should be very special for Sri Lanka to come here and win a game, so to come out and win a series is a testament to how they stayed positive after the first loss and put England under so much pressure.

"Was there a bit of complacency from England? I am not sure. They've rested their big guns, but they have a lot of lessons to learn."

The White-The Series ball continues with three one-day internationals, starting in Durham on Saturday.