England's Winter of Cricket 2020/21

First topic message reminder :

First winter tour for England confirmed today: three T20s and three ODIs in South Africa from the 27th November-9th December.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/54537709

A possible limited-overs tour of Pakistan, which would be England's first trip to that country since 2005, as well as visits to Sri Lanka and India may also go ahead in early 2021.

This might be close...

No. Spun too far. Surprised , thought it was closer than that.

Umpire's call, I think...no. Missing entirely.

Thought that was going to be out when I saw the reply. Thought only a feather on the inside edge could save him. Did not expect it to be missing at all, never mind by that much.

Good over from Leach though. Promising.

alfie wrote:Good over from Leach though.  Promising.

Definitely a lot more happening off the pitch for him now than in the afternoon session

Sky flashing up a scorecard of a Sri Lankan come-from-well-behind win five years ago against India. Still a while before England would become concerned of such an eventuality - the rain would need to miss completely and Sri Lanka need another 300 runs on top of what they already have.

''Lets hope it brightens up, gloomy over the ground'' - Nasser on comms.

''You should see it here'' - Mrs Bat in reply as it gets darker and wetter outside Bat Towers.

But Leach is unable to follow up. He is allowing too many easy runs , I think. Need to lock them down if nothing is happening.

Problems for Root.

Give Lawrence a bowl...can't be any bloody worse!

alfie wrote:But Leach is unable to follow up.  He is allowing too many easy runs , I think.  Need to lock them down if nothing is happening.

Problems for Root.

Poor from both Leach and Bess. Full tosses, drag downs and even a no ball. As Duty said earlier, just like when Sri Lanka were bowling yesterday we're not keeping it tight. Very few maidens and so failing to exert pressure or get a grip.

Pleased to see Wood about to get the ball ... what I wanted now. At least it's understandable if his pace yields runs. Trouble is you need someone making it dry at the other end to partner Wood.

Wood back . Some short stuff maybe ? Need to break this up somehow...but not much there for the quick men.

Lawrence , just for variety , might be worth trying.

But not Sibley

Good start for Root and England in the new year with the England skipper converting a 50 to not just a hundred, but a real big one at that. But England bowling not able to make things happen in the Lankan 2nd innings, and some common sense seems to have returned to the Sri Lankan batting ranks. Think in the first innings, they were far too traumatised after that South Africa series where their prime concern was putting together a side of 11 fit players more than anything else. And then on top of that, they lost skipper Karunaratne to injury in the morning of the game.
England still should win this though.

guildfordbat wrote:

alfie wrote:But Leach is unable to follow up.  He is allowing too many easy runs , I think.  Need to lock them down if nothing is happening.

Problems for Root.

Poor from both Leach and Bess. Full tosses, drag downs and even a no ball. As Duty said earlier, just like when Sri Lanka were bowling yesterday we're not keeping it tight. Very few maidens and so failing to exert pressure or get a grip.

Pleased to see Wood about to get the ball ... what I wanted now. At least it's understandable if his pace yields runs. Trouble is you need someone making it dry at the other end to partner Wood.

Yeah I think they need to really tighten up and work on their nerves . All too easy at the moment. Root could bowl again himself , I guess. Perhaps the heat and humidity has taken the edge off them a bit ... but also have to credit better resolve from Sri Lanka on a fairly benign pitch.

Still one can always bring two or more...have to persevere...

Well, the change of ball has done the trick! Was just about to say Leach has been a lot better since they changed it and he goes and produces a ripper like that. That’s what you get when you get more in the right area and start dragging the scoring rate back.

Key right to highlight the catch for Buttler too. That bounced and was an awkward take but he took it easily.

Good take from Buttler having fumbled the previous delivery, Leach had finally hit his mark a few balls in a row.

Aha ! Leach gets his man at last

Nicely bowled ...and a neat take from Buttler up to the stumps...

Needed that ! Night watchman in

Deserved, on the whole, for Leach. Great breakthrough to get just before stumps, with the umpires now taking an interest in the light.

Think that was some good captaincy by Root - took out one or two of the close fielders, dried up the runs for Leach and it allowed him to gain some rhythm and bowl a few at Mendis, and gets some reward (good take by Buttler too)

At last! Good bowling there from Leach and a neat take by Buttler.

Night watchman sent in - right, lets make use of that ....

Foakes could have taken that blindfolded with one arm tied behind his back

That'll be it for the day. Absorbing stuff after lunch. England still comfortable favourites, but Sri Lanka's openers have given them a fighting chance of saving the game.

And that is it for today...light is too poor and I can't see it improving. Wicket just in time , eh ?

Leach will be glad to have one at last. And at the risk of being thought uncharitable I'd have to say it was a relief to see Buttler hold on to one from a spinner

Still a lot of work to win this with a new ball 19 overs away. Hope the weather holds...

That handy wicket near the end made it a pretty even final session, 26 overs 66-2...shame about the Sibley drop of Thirimanne, would’ve opened up both ends to new bats.

Alas, some good fight shown by Sri Lanka, and they’ve given themselves a sniff of saving the game. Still England massive favourites, particularly if we can nab one or two more out before the new ball in 19 overs...

alfie wrote:

Soul Requiem wrote:Bess bowled tripe that Perera didn't give the treatment to, released the pressure, got taken off and Leach then got the treatment having bowled far better.

Thanks , Soul.  That clarifies it.  Still a bit concerning that Leach has bowled a lot of overs in this match for just one wicket , and hasn't been too economical , is it not ?

Leach was regularly beating the bat or taking edges or gloves that just didnt carry to fielders, one did carry to Bairsow who just didnt have the to react. The one big over off him was an exception. His figures really dont reflect the problems he's caused compared to Bess who's been bad through the test. Sri Lankan batsmen have taken some risks, but the luck has been much more with them today than first innings. Fielding let England down too, Curran should've had two wickets.

Certainly was a relief he got that wicket at the end all round though. 1/107 for England spinners so far is really pretty ugly.

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:That handy wicket near the end made it a pretty even final session, 26 overs 66-2...shame about the Sibley drop of Thirimanne, would’ve opened up both ends to new bats.

Alas, some good fight shown by Sri Lanka, and they’ve given themselves a sniff of saving the game. Still England massive favourites, particularly if we can nab one or two more out before the new ball in 19 overs...

As said before as well, the drop by Sibley was very poor. Too often today, we resembled Sri Lanka yesterday - inconsistent bowling, inadequate pressure and not taking a chance when it came. Anyway, we recovered a bit towards the end and have what should be the relatively easy wicket of a night watchman to gee us up further in the opening session tomorrow.

We're still in a (very) strong position and, as long as the weather plays fair, fully expect an England win. Actually not too disappointed that it was a harder time today. Knocking over tins of custard now won't do us any favours with India coming up.

The missed run out at the end by Surran went strangely unmentioned. Pretty sure if he'd gathered cleanly and got a regulation throw to Buttler it would have been tight. Direct hit surely out. It would have been an even better end to get 2 wickets.

Sri Lanka's day over all I'd say with England's late order slump then as solid opening partnership. Still England's game to lose though, obviously.

I mentioned yesterday that England needed to make at least 500 but a drop in application saw them collapse. Against Sri Lanka you'll get away with that but in India and Australia you won't, setting up a potentially tricky fourth innings chase.

Soul Requiem wrote:I mentioned yesterday that England needed to make at least 500 but a drop in application saw them collapse. Against Sri Lanka you'll get away with that but in India and Australia you won't, setting up a potentially tricky fourth innings chase.

I'd largely agree there Soul but would add the caveat of Burns, Stokes and Pope all missing from the batting.

With Bairstow at 3, Lawrence debuting and Curran in the top 7 it's significantly weaker than the lineup will hopefully be for India.

It's a batting display I was very happy with overall. Root finding form is very important, Lawrence looked settled from ball one and Buttler showed form prior to getting nicked off by a very good ball. Prior to our first bat I'd probably have said Root in form and Lawrence batting well would be the best thing for England so I'll take it overall, albeit not perfect.

The bowling was frustrating with the spinners bowling a bit short. I was dipping in and out in evening session but felt that rotating the seamers in short burst from one end might have changed things up better than Root bowling 6 overs, though he was tidy to be fair.

The lower order only seem to apply themselves when we're in a hole, mentality appears to suggest 400 is job done.

Surran at 7 does leave a long tail, the theory that he's a genuine all rounder has been disproved recently. He's young and could improve but his average is heading in one direction at the moment.

The absentees are big misses, Stokes and Pope provide the solidity that should see this team capitalise and go big on occasion.

Sam's dismissal frustrated me. It was a good ball first up. Full, swinging and a decent pace. It was also a touch over pitched though and he was going at the ball hard without much footwork. Then again his innings that have rescued England came from that aggression paying off when under big pressure.

I've said many times that I think Surran is a bowling all rounder rather than a genuine all rounder. I've also said that I think he and Stokes complement one another very well. If the ball is moving Sam can be lethal but if the pitch flattens out a bit Stokes tends to bowl his best spells. Whereas when the ball swings I often think Stokes bowls a bit short almost by habit. They complement one another very well, with Stokes unavailable the same balance isn't there.

Whilst Sam is capable of vital and destructive innings I think Woakes is the better conventional bat (with 10 first class centuries to show for it) and the better suited to batting at 7 where you need to partner the top order more often with longer innings. I think Woakes will return in his place for the second Test.

I don't know about mentality. Bess always applies himself but the run out was just a fuster cluck, it happens. Leach definitely applies himself beyond his ability with the bat I would argue.

Broad's bowling all rounder days are long gone though, both he and Wood fall into the tailender category of players with limited defensive technique who tend to do better playing some shots.

Overall I'd say it was a lower order display representative of Buttler, Curran and Bess batting a spot higher than England would like. If Mo and Woakes return for the second Test then it will be a more solid tail.

Six sessions in the match remaining. If we get all six in then we should have a positive result either way. Thirimanne, Mathews and Chandimal will be the tough wickets for England to take; difficult to see any one after that batting for an extended period of time, though the likes of Dickwella and Shanaka can add quick runs, and Sri Lanka only need another 250 runs from their present position to give England a potentially testing chase of 120.

If we lose two or more sessions from the game due to rain/bad light, then the draw becomes a realistic possibility.

The start tomorrow is very crucial. If England get the night watchman and Thirimanne within the first hour, then Sri Lanka could be routed very quickly and it might be all over by tea. If Thirimanne settles back in and gets support from Mathews, however, then it could be a long day in the field for England after already going through two sessions for little reward yesterday.

Lankans finally woke up today & started playing cricket...
Still down by 130 runs.....but is beginning to go in the direction of interesting.
If they get a 125 runs lead...it could be very interesting..

Lot of work for Sri Lanka to get another 250 runs ! And if they are able to do that I'd imagine the pitch would be remaining rather less than a minefield (it has spun throughout ; but you couldn't call it a batsman's nightmare) and a chase of under 150 really shouldn't be a huge problem.
England will hope their spinners are better today. Even on the limited amount I was able to watch it was clear Bess needs to get his control of length fixed - far too much short stuff. Leach got a wicket at last but he still looks to me as if all that time without match play has impaired his consistency - which is understandable , but I hope he's settling into his rhythm better as the game goes on. The inability of the pair of them to bowl maidens and thereby put the batsmen under constant pressure has made batting look a lot easier than it ought to given the match position.
The pace men don't have much to work with , but Broad has still bowled very well again. Second new ball might be rewarded ; but that's a while away yet.
Good application from the Sri Lankan bats but they'll need a lot more of that today. Weather permitting , I guess.

If we are at the point of saying batting second and taking a 300 run lead is a minimum for overseas tests then we might as well just stop touring altogether.

No resistance provided by the night-watchman. Into the proper battle now.

Aha...the magic of Bess works immediately

And Sibley will be delighted to have held that one.

The start England would have wanted. Though the hard part comes next...

Duty281 wrote:No resistance provided by the night-watchman. Into the proper battle now.

No doubt Guildford would say it serves them right for employing the nonsense of a night watchman

Even if it's a rabbit , the wicket does serve to give the bowling team a little early boost when he gets out that quickly.

Thirimanne nearly gifts his wicket with a careless shot. Otherwise it's been pretty quiet and the lead is down to two digits - Bess still serving up his customary loose delivery every over.

New ball in 9 but unsure how much effect it will have.

alfie wrote:Lot of work for Sri Lanka to get another 250 runs ! And if they are able to do that I'd imagine the pitch would be remaining rather less than a minefield (it has spun throughout ; but you couldn't call it a batsman's nightmare) and a chase of under 150 really shouldn't be a huge problem.
.

The one from Leach that toook the 2nd lankan wicket.....was a warning sign...turned and bounced......Galle pitch breaks down towards the end of D3.
Has it crumbled enuf that Eng will bundle Lankans in the next 175 runs and keep the chase down to less than 50?

The problem for Eng is that his 5 wickets notwithstanding Bess is not a threatening bowler...even on spinning pitches.
I think I said and not fully in jest ....that if I bowl again.....I wouldn't be far worse than Bess

Eng's better bet is to get Broad to bowl slow cutters like a spinner

KP_fan wrote:

alfie wrote:Lot of work for Sri Lanka to get another 250 runs ! And if they are able to do that I'd imagine the pitch would be remaining rather less than a minefield (it has spun throughout ; but you couldn't call it a batsman's nightmare) and a chase of under 150 really shouldn't be a huge problem.
.

The one from Leach that toook the 2nd lankan wicket.....was a warning sign...turned and bounced......Galle pitch breaks down towards the end of D3.
Has it crumbled enuf that Eng will bundle Lankans in the next 175 runs and keep the chase down to less than 50?

The problem for Eng is that his 5 wickets notwithstanding Bess is not a threatening bowler...even on spinning pitches.
I think I said and not fully in jest ....that if I bowl again.....I wouldn't be far worse than Bess

Eng's better bet is to get Broad to bowl slow cutters like a spinner

Call me when you have a Test five for , KP_fan

Lawrence time now . Hmm. "interesting" is how I'd describe that initial offering... probably won't be a long spell.

Leach nearly prises Mathews out, but the edge goes just short and just wide of slip. Turning into a very good start for Sri Lanka as we hit drinks - fifty runs added for just the night watchman departing. At this rate the lead will have disappeared shortly after lunch.

Root will be hoping the new ball produces some magic.

Seems the luck England enjoyed on day one has transferred to their opponents ... A few near things today but nothing since the sacrificial goat fell this morning.

New ball needs to do something. Root will be wondering what to try next if it doesn't...

Curran gets the breakthrough with the new ball, good diving take from Buttler. Relief for England.

Mathews and Chandimal at the crease now - the key partnership for there's not much left after it.

Sam Curran does make things happen , doesn't he ?  Either gets 'em with a loose shot to a loose ball - or a good bit of bowling like that.

Needed that.  But hats off to Thirimanne for getting that hundred after basically no decent form for about five years

Curran doing all sorts with the new ball and bothering the Sri Lankans. He'll be frustrated not to have captured a second wicket, though he may get another over or two.

Why not Broad?

Have i missed something with Broad, has he gone off injured?

Don't think so. He bowled a few overs at the start. I think with the new ball Root wanted swing at one end, pace at the other, and his swing bowler preference was Curran (justified, I think).

eirebilly wrote:Have i missed something with Broad, has he gone off injured?

He bowled a few earlier. Guess he's been allowed a bit more rest. Root probably thinks he will need to use him more later in the day. Don't think he has any injury issues.

Lunch. Two wickets for the session and the lead down under fifty.

Still this is the big partnership. Get one of these and they'll fancy an end is open.

Spinners need to stand up. Though Broad might play a part with some shrewd mix of cutters etc. Will be an important middle session.