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

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

A little disappointing we couldn't end up only 4 or 5 down but still a decent day for England.

I thought Bairstow was ungracious and oversensitive in his post-play interview but, as I posted yesterday, his talking that mattered was in the middle and that was very impressive.

I think Jonny could do well to avoid the press. There's being "honest" and then there's coming across quite badly as he has done over the past few months in my eyes.

Just let the bat do the talking Jonny

[LondonTiger]

I thought Bairstow was ungracious and oversensitive in his post-play interview but, as I posted yesterday, his talking that mattered was in the middle and that was very impressive.

I shall have to look up what he said.

He is someone full of self-doubts at times (high external self-conifidence but internally.....). He will want the keeper gloves back (will not happen if he stays at 3) as inside it seems that he feels that anyone else having the gloves is an indication that the selectors view him as having failed. While stating that ambition yesterday, he did also state he does not wish bad form or injury on anyone else. It will always be hard to understand how much of his personality, drive and reactions to things is a consequence of being the one to find his dad hanging dead at just 8. There could be a lot to discuss about that - but not really for us to do so I feel.

[king_carlos]

Bairstow is a character who was forged in adversity. I thought his innings today was an outstanding one.

His defensive technique, i.e. the gaping hole between bat and pad, against seamers is suspect but that is an easier fix than many defensive flaws. His determination today was outstanding and I thought the aggression was well channeled.

Over-exuberant celebrations are nothing new. Gone are the days of a quiet removal of the helmet and raise of the bat. Histrionics are now a part of players reaching three figures

[Gooseberry]

Seen a lot of criticism of Bairstow in other places for the way he got out and failing to get a "daddy" ton. Of course that takes no account of the conditions and the amount of time he would have been out there. Not going to look it up, but I do wonder based on where he batted previously whether he has often batted for as long on a single day. To do so in such extreme conditions, and starting to struggle with cramp whilst in the 70s it does seem extremely unfair to be anything than jokingly critical.


A single innings is insufficient to say whether he is the solution to our post Trott problem at 3, but it is a good start. If he is able to temper his technique, having adapted it to standing very legside of the ball to facilitate ODI scoring which caused him issues in the summer tests, for the longer form then there is a chance.

Its as ridiculous as critisizing Roots failure to convert 50's to centuries whilst scoring more centuries than any other England batsman in the same period. Its over 4 years since an England 3 made a 150+ score, and thats the highest score in over 2 years, and the 4th highest from anyone in the top 3 in that 2 year period.

I would go with this ...If Root isnt happy playing there then Bairstow is the least bad option we have for the winter at least. Im not going to over egg him but some of the comments, including those about him being ungracious when Root repeated the same feeling regarding Bairstow, about him have been unfair and also failed to take account of the reality of the situation. England have a desperate lack of proper test batsmen and have done for some time. Bairstow has been one of the more successful ones even with his relative dip in form.

[JDizzle]

A little disappointing we couldn't end up only 4 or 5 down but still a decent day for England.

I thought Bairstow was ungracious and oversensitive in his post-play interview but, as I posted yesterday, his talking that mattered was in the middle and that was very impressive.

I think Jonny could do well to avoid the press. There's being "honest" and then there's coming across quite badly as he has done over the past few months in my eyes.

Just let the bat do the talking Jonny

I’ve not seen the interview, but I just think Jonny is a bit socially awkward in situations. I met him once in a bar in a hote in Durham and I only shook his hand quickly but some of my mates had a longer chat with him thought he was a bit off - and of course the entire ‘headbutt’ shambles which was blown stupidly out of proportion, but is just a bizarre way to greet someone! Nothing malicious in him, just a bit uncomfortable and takes things the wrong way sometimes would be my impression.

[LondonTiger]

I have met his mum ans sister more than him, but yeah socially awkward unless he feels comfortable would be a fair description.

[guildfordbat]

Seen a lot of criticism of Bairstow in other places for the way he got out and failing to get a "daddy" ton. Of course that takes no account of the conditions and the amount of time he would have been out there. Not going to look it up, but I do wonder based on where he batted previously whether he has often batted for as long on a single day. To do so in such extreme conditions, and starting to struggle with cramp whilst in the 70s it does seem extremely unfair to be anything than jokingly critical.


A single innings is insufficient to say whether he is the solution to our post Trott problem at 3, but it is a good start. If he is able to temper his technique, having adapted it to standing very legside of the ball to facilitate ODI scoring which caused him issues in the summer tests, for the longer form then there is a chance.

Its as ridiculous as critisizing Roots failure to convert 50's to centuries whilst scoring more centuries than any other England batsman in the same period. Its over 4 years since an England 3 made a 150+ score, and thats the highest score in over 2 years, and the 4th highest from anyone in the top 3 in that 2 year period.

I would go with this ...If Root isnt happy playing there then Bairstow is the least bad option we have for the winter at least. Im not going to over egg him but some of the comments, including those about him being ungracious when Root repeated the same feeling regarding Bairstow,  about him have been unfair and also failed to take account of the reality of the situation. England have a desperate lack of proper test batsmen and have done for some time. Bairstow has been one of the more successful ones even with his relative dip in form.

I guess that's a reference to my last post where I said ''ungracious''. To be clear, I was only referring to his interview post-play today. (I wasn't referring to what was said before by him or Root which I haven't seen or followed.) It wasn't just what was said but his apparent attitude and demeanour today which resulted in him coming across badly. I appreciate - to the limited extent anyone can from this distance - the horrendous circumstances of his past but, if he's going to put himself up for an interview as he did, I feel it's fair to call it as I see it. To be fair, I've already emphasised that his talking in the middle was what mattered most and that was very impressive.

No criticism from me of Bairstow not getting a ''big hundred'' today. Batting and particularly running in the conditions looked incredibly energy sapping. I'm far more unhappy with half the top 8 getting out in the teens. Squandered starts.

I do have some criticism of Root failing to convert enough fifties but as that would involve me quoting Stewart - and I know your views on him - I'll leave to another time.

[sirfredperry]

You'll have to forgive me for blowing my own trumpet over my predicting a Bairstow ton. Here's what I said yesterday: "After all the hoo-ha I fully expect Bairstow to make a hundred in this Test. He's certainly good enough to do so."
Haven't read all about the criticism Bairstow had about the injury. My view was that it was fully justified. Playing football as a warm up is just plain stupid.
If that is what it takes to stop the football and to get it into Bairstow's head that he is a front-line batsman and there's a better WK with the gloves now, then so be it. This idea that he HAS to keep cos he wants to be always in the action. Well, you can be in the action by being singleminded enough to score lots of 100s as a specialist bat.
I know the score could have been even better after the first day but this may already be a decent total. Root certainly has the luck with the toss. Eight in a row now, is it?

[KP_fan]

This pitch is not a raging turner...but a gentle slow turning one to me

So Eng are only 1 wicket less than par.....but they have shown to score heavily from their last wicket...so they could still post a 400ish total
To stay in the game Lanka has to restrict them to below350

[alfie]

I note various comments about Jonny being a bit over emotional in the after- innings interview and there is probably something to be said for keeping your frustrations under your hat...
But he is an emotional sort of chap , and as some have said perhaps a bit awkward at times - he is a ginger after all  : not too surprised he got out some of the stuff that has been upsetting him in the excitement of the moment.  Think some of the rather over the top reaction against criticism might be aimed at Michael Vaughan ? In which case probably justified...
Main thing here is he is from all accounts a good team man : in fact this whole squad seems to be united and ready to help each other , which is a very good thing and a credit to the oft- criticized Bayliss and other leaders. So if he says a few angry words after a triumphant day I think we can take it in our stride : remember Bob Willis giving the press a bit of a serve in 1981 after he'd capped off Botham's match with his 8 wickets to win that famous Headingley Test ?  Seems a bit similar.

Perhaps YJB will also go on to become an underwhelming pundit in time

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Jennings with more clutch fielding. England got to 336, and Sri Lanka are 33-1 (Leach)

[VTR]

This is looking ominous for England. Wasted the position of strength with the bat, last 7 wickets went down for about a hundred, now shelling catches in the field. If SL rack up 500 this is over

[guildfordbat]

Jennings with more clutch fielding. England got to 336, and Sri Lanka are 33-1 (Leach)

Excellent catch by Jennings displaying commendable bravery and anticipation.

That though seems to have been the only thing to have gone England's way so far today. Tail folding quickly, spilled catches and Sri Lanka now ticking along comfortably with a 100+ partnership. At 150/1 still a long way off the 500 feared by VTR but a wicket is very definitely needed.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I’d like to see England win a game soon where it’s one where a big big score does t and steady patience. I feel pretty confident in them when it becomes a shootout, many players with fluid play and fast runs, but as I feel like I talk about to the extent of an angry 60 year old shouting for 4-4-2, no one wants to build it. Or at least no two.

[VTR]

Agree, England are very good on pitches when the par score is around 300. England should have made 500 from the position they were in, but it was very loose stuff from Buttler onwards

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

After all the times they’ve saved england in recent games/years I think we can allow the middle/lower order one time they didn’t make runs in this one - should also be noted england did drop De Silva and Karaunartne...so Sri Lanka really should be three down...

(Anyone know why it took Rashid so long to bowl? Woke up and Moeen/leach had bowled 30 between them but Rashid only one over)

[guildfordbat]

Agree, England are very good on pitches when the par score is around 300. England should have made 500 from the position they were in, but it was very loose stuff from Buttler onwards

With regard to 500, I agree that's the sort of total we should have been looking for. I also agree that there was too much ''loose stuff'' and particularly had Buttler in mind when I made my ''squandered starts'' grumble yesterday. However, some credit belongs to Sri Lanka - their bowlers stuck at it and were generally well supported in the field, a wonderful catch running back by Matthews to finish the innings. If the boot were on the other foot (as it might be later today) with the hosts on, say, 230/3, we would still be looking to get the 4th quickly and then go on to get them all out for around 350.

[guildfordbat]

After all the times they’ve saved england in recent games/years I think we can allow the middle/lower order one time they didn’t make runs in this one - should also be noted england did drop De Silva and Karaunartne...so Sri Lanka really should be three down...

(Anyone know why it took Rashid so long to bowl? Woke up and Moeen/leach had bowled 30 between them but Rashid only one over)

I was more concerned about you sleeping in and not having a first session report waiting for me.

The Sky guys voiced their surprise early in the second session about Rashid hardly having bowled then - just the one over immediately before lunch whilst Root had given himself a couple of overs. Leach being tidy as well as having the one wicket then was also commented upon although that wasn't really seen as a reason to keep Rashid out of the attack.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

After all the times they’ve saved england in recent games/years I think we can allow the middle/lower order one time they didn’t make runs in this one - should also be noted england did drop De Silva and Karaunartne...so Sri Lanka really should be three down...

(Anyone know why it took Rashid so long to bowl? Woke up and Moeen/leach had bowled 30 between them but Rashid only one over)

I was more concerned about you sleeping in and not having a first session report waiting for me.

The Sky guys voiced their surprise early in the second session about Rashid hardly having bowled then - just the one over immediately before lunch whilst Root had given himself a couple of overs. Leach being tidy as well as having the one wicket then was also commented upon although that wasn't really seen as a reason to keep Rashid out of the attack.

Hmm very strange - I thought he bowled well in Pallekele (albeit his figures didn’t reflect it - he was a victim of “too much turn” which is ironic as a spinner!) - and with Sandakan going so well here first dig I’d have thought he’d be used earlier.

Anyways he’s made a breakthrough after tea - and looks very threatening

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

And now another as Stokes gets Matthews with a short one - excellent catch from Foakes behind the stumps!

(Surrey mafia - think we need to be looking for a new gloveman for next summer...)

[Duty281]

Great little spell for England. Sri Lanka need at least a lead of 50 to negate the fourth innings factor. Really impressed by England's fielding this series, after an absolutely torrid run of fielding debacles in series past.

[Duty281]

Jennings proving that very point for the umpteenth time. What a masterful series he is having at short leg.

[guildfordbat]

And now another as Stokes gets Matthews with a short one - excellent catch from Foakes behind the stumps!

(Surrey mafia - think we need to be looking for a new gloveman for next summer...)

Yes, an excellent catch - so many keepers would have been wrong footed. He also did very well to beat the ball to the ground.

A central contract must be on the way to Foakes very soon.

Pope might keep for Surrey in Foakes' absence - I understand that Pope doesn't want to give up on the gloves. Whether Surrey and England want him to concentrate on just his batting, I don't know.

[guildfordbat]

Olly - have we just jinxed Foakes?

[guildfordbat]

Jennings proving that very point for the umpteenth time. What a masterful series he is having at short leg.

Yes, excellent catching by Jennings with superb anticipation and concentration. The concentration must be mentally and physically tiring - I just wonder if that affects his batting ....

[Duty281]

Just glanced at the future tours programme - looks like England will be playing another test series here in just over a year. Quite a relaxing winter, by modern standards, for England this year, but 2019/2020 brings in treks to New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka for test matches.

[guildfordbat]

The ever willing Stokes gets Dickwella and a deserved second wicket. Neat anticipation and snaffle by Foakes but he's clearly troubled by the blow he took on his left hand earlier.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

This is quite remarkable bowling by Rashid and Stokes in tandem

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Best run out ever

[guildfordbat]

The Stokes / Foakes combo gets another! 8 down now and not even 230 on the board - my earlier post mentioned that total with the possibility of 3 being down then! I always thought we should be looking for some form of Sri Lankan collapse but didn't expect it to be as quick or dramatic as this.

As flagged by Rashid, very good work from Rashid too - not my favourite cricketer but credit due here.

PS And now 9 down with a dreadful bit of running!

[guildfordbat]

Have to go out now. Barring any England batting disasters to finish things off, that's comfortably England's day despite Sri Lanka winning the sessions 2-1.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I reckon England are well on top here - theres turn and bounce in this pitch already. Not as commanding as it was once looking, but still very good especially if they can get to 350.

A lot of "this is a good pitch" but I think Sri Lanka bowled poorly in the afternoon and Bairstow/Stokes took advantage (and lets not forget Stokes was out for 0, but poor umpiring/no reviews reprieved him - so could easily have been 130-4, as well as Moeen being dropped a couple of times too).

Think this will prove to be a very good 1st innings total

[Duty281]

173/1 to 240 all out.

Are you England in disguise?

Barring an extraordinary English debacle, it's gonna be 3-0.

[sirfredperry]

People not hearing the score for a couple of hours would have been astonished to find England were batting again before the close. An astonishing collapse.

[alfie]

Ha ! Didn't see a ball today : cricket match this afternoon which I'd probably have done better to miss as I got battered , though fortunately we won anyway ; followed by a club evening...but coming in to see this finish after observing an earlier score of 121/1 I'm struck by this England team's ability to come back from a bad session...

Rashid and Stokes today , eh ? Sharing it out as last week it was all Moeen and Leach. And Jennings is apparently making quite the name for himself as the short leg genius...

3-0 in the bag ? You'd think so barring miracles. Only hope we don't get too carried away as frankly Sri Lanka look a bit ordinary this time around : but the team should be able to carry this into the West Indies - where they have unfinished business. Planning for the Ashes ? Well that's another story but you cannot really do more than win your current games ...which should at the least build some confidence. For what it's worth I think they are building a squad which includes the 13 players who have turned out in this series plus Woakes and possibly the new boys Stone and Pope to take into next summer. Whether it will be enough to triumph we will see....For now , they're going pretty well.

[Duty281]

3-0 should be in the bag, barring a dismal collapse. Even if England get bowled out for 150, Sri Lanka would have a very tough 250 to chase.

Bizarrely, if England do register a 3-0 series win, they could be only nine months away from becoming the world's best team in the test arena. They would need Australia to defeat India in that upcoming series, and if that gets backed up by England sweeping the Windies in the Caribbean and taking the Ashes back with something like a 3-1 triumph, then world number one status awaits Root's team.

It doesn't look like the strongest England test side - and man for man is almost certainly an inferior entity to that of 2010/11 - but they're not a million miles away.

2019 could be the greatest year in the history of English cricket. Win the Ashes. Top the test table. Win the World Cup at last. And don't forget the five-match T20 series at the end of the year against the Kiwis. Everything Root's heart desires.

[VTR]

Well I did not see the score from 150-1 until the close so I certainly was astonished. Very well played Rashid, Stokes and Jennings by the sound. Honestly thought with Matthews to come, and an end of term feel to the bowling and some of the fielding Sri Lanka would take a considerable lead. Brilliant turnaround and I am expecting the whitewash now

[alfie]

Game changing rapidly this morning as Perera is running through England's top order ...

Both openers lbw to rather insipid footwork. And then Bairstow , who had again started very positively , sharply caught by the sub fielder at short leg.

Gets worse : Root pops one back to Pushpakamara and England are tottering at four down for just 42 at drinks.

No Curran for a rescue bid today...hope someone else can do the trick !

[alfie]

Clearly not easy for the batsmen against spinners now...wonder how many England need to be too many for Sri Lanka to chase batting last ?  Nowhere near as many as last time , I think ; so that 96 run cushion looks crucial.   But they'll still need to get this innings into some sort of order - which right now looks difficult.  Stokes is playing some adventurous strokes mixed with watchful defence and Buttler is looking to use his feet so they're being positive ; but you can't help feeling another wicket could fall at any moment...

Like the other Tests , plenty of swings and roundabouts on display in this ...makes for interesting games to watch

[alfie]

Reluctant to post anything too encouraging lest I jinx them...

But...

The positive approach (twelve off the latest over) has forced the field back , which has the effect of making the bowling look a little less menacing. Lead up to 160 now so Sri Lanka understandably don't want to allow any easy runs. But they need the wickets too so a balance has to be struck...

[alfie]

Phew ! Buttler a lucky boy there...looked dead lbw but his (hopeful ?) referral has hawk eye saying it is going high...survives ; as the partnership nears fifty.

These two are playing very sensibly , and have put some pressure back on the bowlers. Sandakan as expensive as a wrist spinner can be , serving up a few full tosses which Jos was happy to put away to the boundary. Fifty stand now and a lead to 185 ...and now Stokes holes out to cover...but Sandakan has overstepped !

Lucky England !

[alfie]

How the devil does a spin bowler overstep ?

Criminal , I reckon.

Game swinging back the touring team's way. Although the fact that once a couple of batsmen are in a while they start to look a bit more relaxed does suggest that the pitch is a long way from a minefield as yet , so they'll need to push this lead a lot further.
Good partnership , and still useful batting to come. Hopefully Foakes isn't affected by the minor injury he apparently sustained while keeping ?

Ten minutes to lunch...

[alfie]

Sandakan leaking runs ...more of a flood than a leak

The bad side of a wrist spinner's game : can't have a man going at eight per over when you're trying to build pressure. Jos sensibly seems to have put away the sweep for now and is using his feet ...and collecting the regular full tosses nicely...

Two hundred lead now

[alfie]

Guess everyone is sleeping in today ?  Catch up with you all after lunch , I suppose ...

Cannot believe this ! Sandakan has had Stokes caught at slip ...only to have again overstepped !.  

And lunch will be taken at a much healthier looking 110/4 Stokes 32 Buttler 38.  Lakmal rather let down by his third spinner who first released the pressure and then twice spurned chances to break through.

206 ahead and probably back on track ...

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Morning Alfie! Seems like there’s more demons in this pitch today then? Hogg on comms talking about inconsistent bounce now too?

[VTR]

England going down the middle and lower order bailout route this innings. I think everyone would have been happy with a 300 lead and that's looking likely now. Imagine an innings where top and lower order both fire

[alfie]

England turning the screws since lunch...Sri Lanka not helping themselves dropping Buttler on 38 , although they eventually got rid of Stokes (four for the excellent Perera) ...Buttler over fifty now and Moeen settled in as the lead reaches 250.

No wonder Sandakan reprieved Stoke twice : apparently he has been overstepping , though not being called , two or three times each over !

After the early clatter of wickets , England have once again taken control of this game. Sri Lanka starting to look almost resigned...

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Will never for the life of me understand why they never progressed with that experiment they did a few years back of the third/fourth umpires calling no balls from the technology - it worked brilliantly and then seemed to just fade into the night.

[alfie]

Morning Alfie! Seems like there’s more demons in this pitch today then? Hogg on comms talking about inconsistent bounce now too?

Hi Olly...had stepped out for a few minutes. Yes I thought it was doing a bit more , at least while the ball was new. But as the day went on things seem to have settled down...Buttler's use of the feet has taken a lot of the menace away and as the field has retreated batting has begun to look a good deal more comfortable. And apart from Perera the bowlers just haven't been consistent enough.
Suppose there have been enough close shaves this could all look very different ; but right now you'd say (a) England are heading for a lead of 350 or more and (b) with all the time left in the match they will probably want that many to feel safe...as it isn't going to turn into a minefield anytime soon.

[alfie]

England going down the middle and lower order bailout route this innings. I think everyone would have been happy with a 300 lead and that's looking likely now. Imagine an innings where top and lower order both fire

That would be boring ! I hate games where one team makes 600 and kills the contest

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