Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

You just knew there would be a wobble, that a chase of under 80 wouldn't be straightforward. Nothing ever is with England.

Poor cricket from both sides, but as sussex said earlier, this is cricket in the world of COVID. England had no warm-up and no match prep since about September. Sri Lanka flew straight in from South Africa. Is it any wonder both sides are undercooked? Hopefully this means Bess and Leach will be well warmed up for India, but to be honest, it's hard to see them (or England's bowling in general) troubling the Indian batting line up in their home conditions. But then, what's new?

England's only hope is that India's injury crisis continues, and they're all so worn out from Australia that they don't recover in time. Seems unlikely.

Very valid points about preparations , BFL.

At the moment I am a little more concerned with getting through this run chase and match two in Sri Lanka before worrying about India. But when that series is up I wonder what impact the home team's injury list will have ? Jadeja is apparently crocked , and Ashwin has had a fair bit of wear and tear concern leading up to his current injury. Depending on how their main seamers are placed in recovery , it is just possible India might actually see their pace attack as the main weapon - and that we might therefore see pitches a little more conducive to seam bowling than usual.

Not expecting the WACA of course But perhaps a little more "something for everyone"

Which wouldn't make it exactly easy anyway as their seamers are pretty damn good ! Anyway that's for the future. And hopefully you are on the money about Bess and Leach getting very useful tune ups from this first game. Although they took a long time to get results in the second innings , I think their control was improving as the match progressed so suspect you are right. Real key for the India tour is making a lot of runs , no ?

For today , just 36 more please ...preferably without too much drama .

And a 50 stand - in just 9 overs this morning cut the deficit to 7.

What were we worried about?

And there it is. Never in doubt?

Joe Root for POTM, one would think.

Win's a win, and 7 wickets looks pretty comfortable, but after dominating the first two days (and the 10 overs on day 4), England should be worried about their day 3. You can't afford to let games drift like that if you're going to win against India. Heck, Sri Lanka will probably be more confident than England going into the second test (although if England can win the toss and bat, it'll help...). That'll also help in India - I think last time we lost 4 tosses in a row...

On the plus side in this test, Lawrence has been solid and the spinners have bowled some of the rust out. On the downside, the openers (especially Sibley) look weak in spinning conditions, and Wood was rubbish (as usual).

Bit harsh on Wood , BFL ! I wouldn't say rubbish. Honest , hardworking , but ineffective , maybe ? Don't think Galle is his place somehow... but we might say that of most quick bowlers. Rotation expected anyway.

Pleasing win despite a few issues : wasteful late batting on day three (from reports and scorecard , I wasn't able to watch that bit) It seemed more ruthlessness was called for . Struggles bowling a more disciplined Sri Lanka out second time around ; but I can just about forgive that. The bowlers were underprepared as we've noted ; the pitch didn't really start to "go" until the latter part of day four and you have to credit the Sri Lankan bats for their determination. But obviously we'd like a better cutting edge. Missing Rashid ? Or : where is Joe Denly when you need him

My main worry is the opening pair. Double failures . Not unexpected for Sibley in these conditions , perhaps : but I am disappointed in Crawley , who could have been out about four times over his two brief innings. Improvement needed there ... but well done Bairstow and Lawrence for getting the job done today with a minimum of fuss after a few hairy moments last night.

Second Test will be tougher , I think. But let us salute a first match victory - they are rare enough !

No alarms today, which is good.

Who'd be an opener? I'm less worried about Crawley than Sibley in sub con conditions, but not sure who I'd bring in. England will probably revert to type in India and just move someone else like YJB to open once Stokes returns..... and we know how well that's worked out in the past.

Durhamfootman wrote:No alarms today, which is good.

Who'd be an opener? I'm less worried about Crawley than Sibley in sub con conditions, but not sure who I'd bring in. England will probably revert to type in India and just move someone else like YJB to open once Stokes returns..... and we know how well that's worked out in the past.

Alex Lees is an opener-get him in a plane to India

he has much more important work to do

Only 1 change from 1st test.
England squad for second Test 1 Dominic Sibley, 2 Zak Crawley, 3 Jonny Bairstow, 4 Joe Root (capt), 5 Dan Lawrence, 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Sam Curran, 8 Dominic Bess, 9 Jack Leach, 10 Mark Wood, 11 James Anderson

Felt likely that A&B would get a Test each.

England have announced their squad for the first 2 tests in India. YJB is being rested and JB2 (I forget who is JB1 and JB 2 these days) will only play in the first test, so that must mean that Ben Foakes will keep in the second test. Wood and Curran also rested for the first 2 tests. BS and JA return to the squad along with Burns. Pope has not recovered in time from injury

westoelad wrote:Only 1 change from 1st test.
England squad for second Test 1 Dominic Sibley, 2 Zak Crawley, 3 Jonny Bairstow, 4 Joe Root (capt), 5 Dan Lawrence, 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Sam Curran, 8 Dominic Bess, 9 Jack Leach, 10 Mark Wood, 11 James Anderson

2 games in a row for Wood?

Wood survived a four over spell...

But it is all Jimmy today. Two wickets at the start and now he's got Thirimanne immediately after the break. 76/3

Three wickets for Jimmy the Saint (they miss him when he's not there) but Sri Lanka not in a bad position.

Mathews having a decent series.