England’s learning curve away from home versus Sri Lanka’s
It’s bad when the aftermath starts on day two. We didn’t realise we’d be so much further on by day three though.
We’re struck by the contrast with Sri Lanka’s tour of England in 2006. When Sri Lanka arrived, they were, without wishing to be disparaging, ripe for the taking. They were generally quite a young side with very minimal experience of English conditions. Their openers looked particularly vulnerable as both were inexperienced thanks to the temporary retirement of Benevolent Uncle Sanath. England A annihilated them in a warm-up match.
In the first Test, England hit 551 and Sri Lanka followed-on after making just 192. ‘Ah, poor Sri Lanka’, thought England’s players and proceeded to lose all sense of urgency. England may have dropped no fewer than TEN catches in the innings, but Sri Lanka’s 537-9 to save the game was the worthiest display of determination and learning-on-your-feet we can remember. The innings is remembered for Jayawardene’s hundred, but five other players hit fifties – some supremely TavarΓ©-esque.
England won the second Test and kidded themselves that they were still miles better than Sri Lanka. In the third, the two sides matched each other run-for-run until England found themselves batting last against Murali and realised that actually, they weren’t better. Series drawn.
Then, in the one-dayers, these young Sri Lankans, who were so unfamiliar with English conditions, carried out the most efficient demolition job on a home side in recent memory, winning every game. In the fifth and final match, Sri Lanka chased 321 inside 38 overs – Upul ‘vulnerable opener’ Tharanga hitting his second hundred of the series.
Compare that to this England side, who won the one-day series a month ago and since then have gone precisely nowhere – at best.
Sri Lanka v England, third Test, third day at Galle
Sri Lanka 499-8 declared (Mahela Jayawardene 213 not out, Chaminda Vaas 90, Tillekeratne Dilshan 84, Steve Harmison 3-104)
England 81 (Chaminda Vaas 4-28)
England 2-0
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"It’s not that I’m lazy - it’s that I just don’t care"
*does a little dance*
*realises that it might be construed as a rain dance*
*stops*
*sits down*
Friday
Friday’s predominant weather is forecast to be heavy showers.
Saturday
Saturday’s predominant weather is forecast to be heavy showers.
According to BBC Weather!
Although, I’d rather we lost heavily than hung on for a draw..
At least if we get battered, there maybe some sort of post incident review!
Oh well, at least it’s not a borefest like the last test. I’d like to see if Peter Moores will continue with his outrageous claim that we can still win this test.
Y. You want non-boring cricket, and England have obliged. The only way Peter Moores’ claim that England can still win this test will be true is if:
a) it doesn’t rain for the next two days;
b) England’s batting now manages not to crumple like a souffle taken out of the oven too early; and
c) Sri Lanka forfeit their second innings.
ALL of these things need to happen, but unfortunately for England NONE of these things are going to happen.
Maybe Mahela has the same friends as Hansie? does he need a new leather jacket?
I was going to do a match report for this game, but mostly it would just involve uncontrollable rage and swearing.
So rain has ended the days play, with only one wicket lost…
Tomorrow could be interesting, although the forecast is almost identical to today.
Well done Master Cook.
If anyone needs cheering up, at least it’s better to be an England fan than a West Indies fan. Whilst we’ve been busy losing to Sri Lanka, the Windies have been busy losing to South Africa A. By ten wickets. In three days.