It would be a big move for new national selector Ed Smith and his panel because Broad has been in much-improved form this summer after remodelling his action in the wake of a hugely disappointing Ashes tour.

But England feels there are better options for the unique conditions that Sri Lanka offers as well as wanting to protect Broad, who is eighth in the all-time wicket-takers’ list with 433 victims, ahead of next summer’s Ashes.

Broad bowled through the pain of a broken rib, suffered while batting in the final Test against India at the Oval, but he is expected to be fully fit for Sri Lanka and the injury is not an issue in his non-selection.

Instead, England wants to inject extra pace into its squad. Its fast-medium attack has been badly exposed in overseas conditions and it is looking at Warwickshire’s Olly Stone and Somerset’s Jamie Overton.

It was also perhaps significant that Sam Curran took the second new ball and snapped up two wickets towards the end of England’s victory against India on Tuesday that gave it a 4-1 series victory.

Stone, 24, is a 90mph bowler who has been plagued by injuries but has taken 34 second division wickets at just 12 apiece this season. He is the favourite to be the wildcard selection on the plane to Colombo.

Overton, also 24, is quicker than his twin Craig and has also had fitness problems, but he has taken 23 wickets this season in the first division and is very much in contention. It could well be the fittest of the two that goes to the island nation.

Jimmy Anderson is expected to tour after becoming the leading wicket-taker in fast-bowling history, while England believes there is more to come overseas from Chris Woakes. Essex’s Jamie Porter, viewed as the successor to Anderson, looks sure to tour for his capacity to bowl long spells.

When England coach Trevor Bayliss was asked if there would be consideration given to resting one of England’s ‘big two’ bowlers, he replied: “That is on the agenda. I think with the inclusion of Sam Curran, there is a realisation we have to look to the future. There are a number of good young bowlers on the edge. It’s an interesting one. It could be a long meeting.”

England will take three spinners, with Somerset’s Jack Leach joining Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali for a series that takes place after England’s white-ball games in Sri Lanka.

The top order is England’s biggest problem, particularly in the wake of Alastair Cook’s retirement, but the selectors will keep faith with Keaton Jennings despite his average of 18 against India because it does not want two new openers.