England - the winter tours thread

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

First topic message reminder :

After the perfect ending to the summer, with Alastair Cook riding into the sunset with a hundred and James Anderson breaking Glenn McGrath's record to wrap up a 4-1 series win over the #1 side in the world...England head into a brave new world (in a mere 3 weeks time!) post Cook

Tour of Sri Lanka (Oct-Nov)
5 ODI's played between 10th October and 23rd October
1 T20i played on 27th October
3 Test matches played between 6th November and 23rd November

Tour of West Indies (Jan-Mar)
3 Test matches played between 23rd January and 9th February
5 ODI's played between 20th February and 2nd March
3 T20i's played between 5th March and 10th March

As ever there are many rumblings in the media on potential selections ahead of the Sri Lanka tour...

Rory Burns seems set to take Cook's spot
Will Jennings keep his place? Or will a Vince/Denly or complete wildcard be picked to open with him?
Which spinners do England take along with Moeen/Rashid?
Do Anderson/Broad get rested?
What pace options will be taken?

All questions that will be debated and answered in the coming weeks...so I start with a little competition between us selectors on v2...

Name your test squad for the series in Sri Lanka. Whoever gets the nearest to the actual squad, gets a pair of Ed Smith approved sunglasses

[guildfordbat]

Saw a replay of that combination Jennings-Foakes catch : quite remarkable !   And good to see off the dangerous Karunaratne...

But this partnership is making me a bit nervous , I have to say

Only been watching recently today. Rewound an hour and then played on fast forward to get glimpses of what had been happening - Sky seemed to have the Jennings-Foakes catch on a continual repeat cycle! Understandable, mind - remarkable!

Sharing Alfie's nerves about this partnership. A wasted review there - looked to be going down leg there and review shows it to be pitched outside.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

No idea why Root has stationed himself at long on off Rashid - gifting singles, no way they’re hitting him against the spin over mid on

[alfie]

Leach too short too often...giving away runs. Really think he needs a rest.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Leach too short too often...giving away runs.  Really think he needs a rest.

Moeen bowled well this morning (with no luck - had Mathews dropped and a tough chance for Karaunartne too) would like to see him given a go.

[alfie]

Despite the odd ball from Rashid , these batsmen - overall - are looking too relaxed. Which is why I want a change . Preferably Stokes to have a quick burst.
Can always go back to Leach . But right now this is getting too comfortable for the bats.

I see it is Moeen he's turned to. We will see. But I wonder why Root so often ignores Stokes (and his knack of producing magic) in these second innings ? Hoe he doesn't leave it too late.

[alfie]

After losing a review a few overs back , England have missed taking one that would have been out ! Can't say I blame them ...I thought it was leg side too. But means still no luck for Moeen.

And things not running for England ... Think they need some magic from somewhere soon or this one is getting away from them...

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Moeen’s poor luck continues - umpire gives it not out, choose not to review and it would’ve been gone!

Turning into “one of those days” for England...

[alfie]

Moeen ! Via the review ...the courageous review


Needed that...

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Another poor umpiring decision - clear inside edge, caught, given not out. Thank god for DRS!

[guildfordbat]

After losing a review a few overs back , England have missed taking one that would have been out !  Can't say I blame them ...I thought it was leg side too.  But means still no luck for Moeen.

And things not running for England ...  Think they need some magic from somewhere soon or this one is getting away from them...

I feel the unsuccessful review influenced what would have been the second - and potentially last - review from being taken. I wasn't convinced about Moeen's shout but I thought it had more going for it than Rashid's (which I wouldn't have reviewed) and would have taken a chance on it with one still left. Piece of cake this game watching in my armchair with a mug of coffee!

And now an excellent review - Root understably nervous taking it - sees Roshen off to the hutch and a bit of a belated reward for Moeen. We very much needed that.

[alfie]

That I think is the big moment. Was heading very much Sri Lanka's way ...but now just Dickwella and the bowlers to support Matthews.

England must press the new man...

[guildfordbat]

The way Dickwella's started and is going, he's surely going to perish by the sword?!

[alfie]

After losing a review a few overs back , England have missed taking one that would have been out !  Can't say I blame them ...I thought it was leg side too.  But means still no luck for Moeen.

And things not running for England ...  Think they need some magic from somewhere soon or this one is getting away from them...

I feel the unsuccessful review influenced what would have been the second - and potentially last - review from being taken. I wasn't convinced about Moeen's shout but I thought it had more going for it than Rashid's (which I wouldn't have reviewed) and would have taken a chance on it with one still left. Piece of cake this game watching in my armchair with a mug of coffee!

And now an excellent review - Root understably nervous taking it - sees Roshen off to the hutch and a bit  of a belated reward for Moeen. We very much needed that.

Like or hate it , drs has added a new dimension to the game. This match may well turn on whether teams get their reviews right !

To be honest , all the review decisions have been tight (not helped by some rather dodgy umpiring - I fear the officials themselves are down on confidence). I originally quite fancied the Rashid review - though I'd have been nervous about actually calling for it - and was less sure of the Moeen one ! Think they were pretty sure about the edge then.

Game not over. Matthews on the charge. Still want a spell from Stokes...

[alfie]

Root relieving Rashid. Could do with one more before tea.

Think this could be very tight.

[guildfordbat]

Alfie - yes, drs has definitely added a new dimension to the game. I'm sure you saw my post yesterday where my man Stewart was effectively acknowledging that and praising Bairstow as a keeper who judges very well when to recommend using it or not.

I too would have liked to have seen Stokes bowling today. Leaving it late now with less than 100 needed. I'm pretty uneasy atm. Even if we get one soon, we can't assume the others will immediately fold. The 10th wicket has put on runs in each of the three digs this match!

And now bonus overthrows for Sri Lanka!

[alfie]

Yes the trouble with these spinners is they just aren't used to being the main strike force responsible for finishing the job. Backing up a dominant pace attack is a different thing altogether...

They aren't maintaining any control. Sure , Sri Lanka might make mistakes and get out . But if they don't they're getting these runs...fairly soon.

If Root doesn't use his seamers after tea he will deserve censure in the event of a loss.

[guildfordbat]

Root now bowling up until tea. Not convinced that is our best option - if it is, down to other failings.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Fascinating game - few twists and turns left I’d imagine...

[Duty281]

At 30/3, or whatever it was, I thought England had it. But Mathews has been exquisite, and the Sri Lankan counter attack since the fifth wicket falling has been sublime. Dickwella is a opening pinch hitter in ODIs, so no surprise to see him employ the very same methods here.

Root's captaincy has been dreadful. No use of Stokes, precious little of Anderson, poor field placings  and suspect use of reviews.

Sri Lanka are favourites, right now, with me and the bookmakers. If Mathews bats for another 20 overs, it's 1-1. Every run Dickwella gets is a nice bonus for them.

[alfie]

Root has form. That West Indies chase down in England a year or so back - when he again totally ignored Stokes. And failing to dismiss NZ with bags of time last year on tour...

He seems to be unable to move off "Plan A" until it's too late. And unless his bowlers are just not doing as they're told , I have to wonder why he seems unable to exert any sort of pressure on the batsmen. They have for the most part been scoring comfortably all afternoon...

A quick wicket or two can still do this, but they're running out of time ...another thirty overs , tops ...less if these two stay together. I'd bowl Anderson and Leach after tea ; and throw Stokes on shortly after...just so I can't be accused of criticizing without having an alternative

But I am fearing the damage might have been done.

[alfie]

Moeen gets Matthews on an umpires call !

Tea break did the trick ! Big swing in the game...

Well played Angelo Matthews

But England edge back in front...

[Duty281]

Mathews out first over after tea! What a decisive swing in fortunes. Moeen, again, with the key wicket.

[alfie]

Still far from over...the Sri Lankan tail wagged first innings.

Controversial moment as Stokes claims a low catch and it's deemed to have bounced on TV checking... I wasn't sure myself : very hard with these low ones.

Dickwella really is the key now...

[alfie]

Pereira gone ! Leach strikes...

Seven down.

[alfie]

And just as we build up to a finish...down comes the bloody rain

[Duty281]

Next man in did chip 30 or so runs in in the first innings, so not quite all over! But England very close now.

Will have to be finished tomorrow, I think.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Funny old game - england were hoping for rain fifteen minutes ago, now Sri Lanka are happy to see it come down!

[guildfordbat]

Fascinating game as said - huge swing back to England with those 2 wickets straight after tea but there have been late order runs throughout this Test ....

[alfie]

Long as Dickwella is there Sri Lanka have a chance. Don't think the bowlers can do it on their own...
Frustrating if the game has to be held over to tomorrow...was building to an exciting four day finish. Suppose the rain could stop and they get back on ? Unlikely , I guess.

[alfie]

Tribute to an excellent match that we still can't call it !

Fancy if one more wicket falls early tomorrow England really should wrap it up...but as has been said tail end runs have come throughout this game...
New ball is seventeen overs away : could still play a part. I still want England to try and keep the game tight on resumption as I feel the longer the innings goes the more chance something will happen...and with tailenders in that chance doesn't decrease .

75/25 England I think but I'm not a bookie...

[sirfredperry]

England should win now. Could the extra five runs added on to the England first innings score be decisive?
Victory will vindicate the England approach of pretty much all-out attack with the bat. But you would not want to see the batsmen taking these risks - including loads of sweeps - on good batting wickets.

[Duty281]

I'd make it about 80-20 in England's favour.

It is only 75 runs. And Sri Lanka don't have any Tufnell-esque figure coming in at 10 or 11. Every batsman remaining has at least one first-class fifty. Dananjaya has a first class average in the 20s, and Lakmal and Pushpakumara both have double digit first class averages. If Dickwella adds another run-a-ball 30 to the score tomorrow, and one or two batsmen hang around, they might just do it.

But, at the same time, it is only three wickets. And it's turning sharply.

[sirfredperry]

The thing about fourth innings is that the game closes down to the number of runs needed. A side set, say, 500, might actually make 350-400 before losing. But if they had been set 350 they probably would not have got it. You even see sides facing huge fourth innings totals make excellent starts but then the wickets start tumbling.
I recall NZ being set around 480 to beat England in 1973 and getting quite close with still five wickets left. But they still lost. Years later Nathan Astle almost pulled off a fourth-innings miracle in a NZ-Eng Test. In 2009 Australia were reasonably well placed chasing 500 in both the London Tests before being defeated. Last summer India did wonderfully well to make a fight of it on the last day at The Oval...but still lost.
It would be a great achievement for SL to win as there have been few successful run chases of more than 300 in Tests.

[guildfordbat]

The thing about fourth innings is that the game closes down to the number of runs needed. A side set, say, 500, might actually make 350-400 before losing. But if they had been set 350 they probably would not have got it. You even see sides facing huge fourth innings totals make excellent starts but then the wickets start tumbling.
 I recall NZ being set around 480 to beat England in 1973 and getting quite close with still five wickets left. But they still lost. Years later Nathan Astle almost pulled off a fourth-innings miracle in a NZ-Eng Test. In 2009 Australia were reasonably well placed chasing 500 in both the London Tests before being defeated. Last summer India did wonderfully well to make a fight of it on the last day at The Oval...but still lost.
It would be a great achievement for SL to win as there have been few successful run chases of more than 300 in Tests.  

 

Sir Fred - I take your point about nerves often playing a part in preventing a fourth innings target being reached despite a good start and remember some of your examples, particularly New Zealand's valiant attempt in 1973 with centuries from late skipper Bev Congdon and Burnley born Vic Pollard.

However, I'm not sure if Dickwella has enough brains to get jitters? Looking forward to seeing though ....

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Excellently wrapped up by england this morning - a very good performance and a great series win too

Thought Sri Lanka played well here too - some criticism thrown Root’s way yesterday was a tad harsh imo, Mathews and Silva in particular batted superbly.

Atherton had it right on comms all the way through - and noted after the game how impressed he was with Burns amongst others in this game. You know what they say, strong Surrey strong england

[VTR]

Excellent Test and Series win. Certainly the best since winning in South Africa, and more likely the best since the win in India six years ago. A real team performance in both Tests, can't think of anyone that hasn't done something major, with certain players even standing out for their fielding if not contributing much otherwise. England now ranked number 2 in the world, didn't seem likely after the Lords Tests vs Pakistan

[sirfredperry]

One of England's best series wins in recent years. Yes, SL were not as strong as normal, but it's really difficult to fashion away wins in Test cricket these days.
I hope that Root's attacking approach is, in future, tempered with a bit of realism. There will be times when you have to grind out the runs or just settle in for a big score on a flat track.
So what happens for the final Test? Will Bairstow be back?

[alfie]

Well I missed all that today ...former club cricket commitments. But I see England wrapped it up with a minimum of fuss so job done ...

Moeen remains a bit up and down , and definitely gives up runs too easily . But it can't be denied he takes wickets , often at vital times...and has played a significant role in a number of recent wins with the ball just as much as the bat (probably more with the ball lately !). And with Leach putting in a very handy performance here it is going to be interesting to see how England structure their side back at home , where you would normally expect only one spinner to be deployed.

Olly may have a point in that some of us may have been a little unfair on Root yesterday. I do think he has improved his captaincy - as I said after Galle - but I hold to my main criticism : that he doesn't seem to move quickly (or at all , really) to change the game at a time when it is flowing sharply in the other team's favour. He tends to stick to his attack and hope it works eventually . OK , this time it did ; but it might not do so next time...
Never mind : winners are grinners And he can rightly celebrate a win he did so much to bring about with that excellent hundred.

Well done lads

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Excellent test match, with the turning pitch and composition of teams posing fascinating issues. England's tactics of emulating the most fastidious of park keepers by sweeping everything in sight paid off in the end. As said by others earlier in the thread, so much hinges on effective use of reviews. A badly wasted review by either side is a big set back or bonus - it's almost as if it equates to taking or losing half a wicket!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

That was the first match in test history where 38 wickets fell to spin bowling.

[alfie]

Worth noting too that Jimmy might not have taken a wicket ; but he stayed with Curran and Foakes in the two innings for a total of 101 runs...which proved rather important in the washup

Team effort , this.

[guildfordbat]

Worth noting too that Jimmy might not have taken a wicket ; but he stayed with Curran and Foakes in the two innings for a total of 101 runs...which proved rather important in the washup

Team effort , this.

Yep, excellent team effort full of individual contributions and winning key moments (particularly the Stokes run out and the Jennings-Foakes catch).

Maybe Bairstow for Curran in the next Test in view of the Surrey man struggling for fitness yesterday and today and hardly having bowled anyway.

[Duty281]

Excellent win for England. They continue to confound me.

[VTR]

Got to give credit to the selectors. Stuck with Jennings on the basis he could play spin. Left out Broad to play three spinners, who are each the best of their kind in the country. None of them did that much with the bat so hopefully no more Ansaris in the future.

Saying all that could be a bit of a McGrath in reverse moment with Bairstow's injury, as Foakes was the best batsmen on either side and exceptional wicket keeping. Hopefully sets the formula for the future, play three spinners and your best wicketkeeper on turning pitches. Won't guarantee a win every time but at least gives the best chance.

[sirfredperry]

England have managed to win four Tests in a row. They normally chuck in an absolute horror show during a good run. Thanks to some valiant late-order batting, they've managed to avoid that this time.
Always been wildly, boringly-excessively, opposed to football being played as a warm up for cricketers. But I have to say it's at least brought in Foakes and hopefully ended the idea of playing Bairstow as wicketkeeper. No doubt Bairstow will be back and, hopefully, hungry for runs as a front-line batsman.

[Mad for Chelsea]

Morning all. Well after four gripping days of Test cricket this morning was somewhat surprisingly drama free. Dickwella had been sweeping and reverse sweeping pretty well, and I think it was a poor choice of shot to go for the inside-out cover drive (also poorly executed, as he got himself too far legside of the ball). It was though a nice bit of bowling from Moeen, who picked up arguably the three crucial wickets in this innings (alongside the less crucial wicket of Lakmal).

All in all, a cracking Test match, and a very fine series win for England, their best for some time. Certainly Root has hit a terrific run of form with the coin, which helps, but you have to be good enough to take advantage, and England have been.

This match was a real team effort, with everyone contributing in some way (Anderson somewhat improbably with two crucial efforts with the bat). I would like to emphasize again how impressed I've been with Foakes. As a batsman, he knows his game, and plays the situation really well, and as a keeper he's been top class, totally justifying the praises the Surrey boys on here have been giving him. It's nice to see a top gloveman in international cricket again . You could make a case right now for England having the top three keepers in the international game, with Taylor and Jones in the women's side.

For the third Test, I guess some of it depends on how Curran recovers. An ineresting (if random) stat is that he's moved into joint third on the list of players starting their career with the most wins for England: he's now level with Barrington on 7, with only two players having started their career with more (with 8 and 13 respectively). Pub quiz question: who are the two?

[VTR]

Bresnan definitely one of those, think the one with 13. Haven't got much idea on the other one. Maybe Simon Jones?

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I think the other one was Strauss with 8? Bresnan I remember with 13!

I wonder if they might rotate Jimmy out for either Broad or Stone next test - I’d really like to see Stone given a go

[Mad for Chelsea]

I think the other one was Strauss with 8? Bresnan I remember with 13!

I wonder if they might rotate Jimmy out for either Broad or Stone next test - I’d really like to see Stone given a go

Correct

[VTR]

Damn it, a was racking my brain for a 2004 summer debutant. As I remembered 7 wins out of 7 that summer. Good work from Olly there

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