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.

Thanks lads. Just feel that Broad offers far more with the new ball so was confused as to why he wasnt used.

Yep, hugely important session coming up. At the end of it, Sri Lanka could be 60 in front and four or five down, well-placed to push on and set England a challenging total. Or they could be nine down for a paltry lead and the game will be all but over.

Hopefully time for Leach to cash in. He's bowled decently this test but got precious little for it so far (current match figures of 2/140).

Great start from Bess. Getting Chandimal forward, taking the outside edge, and a good low grab from slip. Five more to get!

Dammit, i missed that. Was watching India Australia.

eirebilly wrote:Dammit, i missed that. Was watching India Australia.

It's tricky , isn't it , watching two games at once ?  I have the same issue...closed at the gabba now though so can concentrate.

Bess can claim that one as pure skill anyway

Sri Lanka inching closer . But Dickwella is riding his luck - as he does.

I think it will be over today. Sri Lanka don't bat too deeply and even a chase of 100, should be easily knocked off.

Got the BBL now as well alfie, decisions decisions

England well on top now. Bess has got the ball spitting and turning furiously, Broad has them on a leash at the other end. Fielders full of energy and encouragement...they know they're close to toppling this courageous second innings effort.

Starting to look a bit dark at the ground, however. We've been lucky with the (lack of) rain so far.

I could watch Broad bowl all day, he is such a clever bowler.

This is some seriously good bowling from Broad and Bess since lunch. Sri Lanka under pressure...could easily have lost more than one in this last half hour.

They will really want to see Broad off. If they can get their noses in front they will feel a bit more relaxed I guess...but right now it is looking tough work.

1 run coming off Broad's 5 over spell. Control

eirebilly wrote:I think it will be over today. Sri Lanka don't bat too deeply and even a chase of 100, should be easily knocked off.

Might not be that easy : They were awful in the first innings ; but the Sri Lankan tail enders are not actually totally bereft of batting ability. And England have been toiling for a long time now.

I think they need to get one of these two fairly soon or it is going to be a battle to finish the job as smoothly as they'd like. Pitch is giving the spinners a bit more today but it isn't a bunsen yet so I think a chase of 150 or so shouldn't frighten them.

But I'm sure they'd prefer to chase a lot less

Fair play to these two, they were completely tied down by Broad/Bess and another wicket looked near. But they battled through. Now they're starting to take a few more singles and England are making some mistakes in the field.

It's rapidly becoming a battle of endurance and patience. 

Next two batters have FC averages of 40, by the way, though those might be inflated somewhat by the nature of the domestic cricket they play.

Wishful thinking on my behalf there alfie, i have to work tomorrow so would rather it be concluded today.

Last ten overs just 11 runs. Something going to give soon...

Looks like rain isn't too far away...

Not sure Root is the ideal foil for Wood at the moment. Think it is time Leach had another go.

Just about level now. In fact Sri Lanka take the lead with a lucky underedge.

Rain in the air ?  Nearly tea anyway - and England might fancy a short break.  But if they lose a session again the draw starts to loom...

Bess back on and bingo Gets Dickwella first ball...

Still think he's rubbish , goose ?

Timely breakthrough, like the second wicket yesterday. Bess again. Dickwella was really starting to struggle with the constraints placed upon him and, really, that shot was neither one thing nor the other.

And one brings two. Clever ball from Leach. England nearly there.

About time for leach ...on the edge of having a very comfortable chase but England have struggled mightily to get here. The problems we feared have been exposed by opposition that applies itself, dont five them much hope against India who also appear to have some battle in them.

Good session for England, a real team effort with the ball over those two and a bit hours.

Sri Lanka still at least 100 runs away from making it interesting.

Much better bowling display from England that session, didn't give the batsmen any easy runs and kept the pressure on throughout. Pitch is offering just enough.

That was a poor review.  Never looked likely.  Hope they don't need it later.

But with the old "one brings two" bit striking late in that session , Sri Lanka for all their gritty efforts are effectively 16/7 at tea. England spinners getting better as the innings progresses.

All up to Matthews now.

Duty281 wrote:Good session for England, a real team effort with the ball over those two and a bit hours.

Sri Lanka still at least 100 runs away from making it interesting.

Was indeed a team effort. Stuck to their task well , though they must be feeling the heat after all those overs. And got the rewards eventually. Credit to Root for keeping it tight and minds on job.

Will hope to clean up after tea and give eirebilly his desired early finish But still have to get three so no relaxing just yet...

Top catch by Root ! Hasaranga was getting a bit excited and it wasn't likely to last. Leach seems to be getting in more of a groove as he gets more game time ...which might auger well for game two.

Two to get...

Think these two are going to try some shots...

38 lead ain't much so they'll hope to add a few more quickly. England just need to stay cool. Though I might consider asking Broad for a couple of overs ?

Been catching up with the day's wickets during tea. Even though I'm a fully paid up Foakes supporter, two fine catches by Buttler to dismiss Thirimanne and Dickwella, especially the latter off Bess. Gather he's kept well throughout this Test.

No wickets so far in this innings and have seen little of him myself but, based on the figures, a decent effort by Broad in keeping it dry. Just 14 runs from his 17 overs. Valuable support there. Atherton unsurprisingly reckons he'll swap places with Anderson for the second Test on Friday.

Atherton thought that would be the only England team change.

For Sri Lanka to even get in a position to force England to bat again has been some achievement. After the first innings and and being 250+ runs behind, they could have gone to bits but they have shown some good fight, well done to them

Nice jinx on Buttler there!

eirebilly wrote:For Sri Lanka to even get in a position to force England to bat again has been some achievement. After the first innings and and being 250+ runs behind, they could have gone to bits but they have shown some good fight, well done to them

Hi Billy - Totally agree. Just such a shame for Sri Lanka that they almost certainly lost the game on day one.

It'll be interesting to see how they go on Friday.

Yes finally.... Ben Foakes...

Tough enough chance, so it was guildford but it is a missed chance.

guildfordbat wrote:

eirebilly wrote:For Sri Lanka to even get in a position to force England to bat again has been some achievement. After the first innings and and being 250+ runs behind, they could have gone to bits but they have shown some good fight, well done to them

Hi Billy - Totally agree. Just such a shame for Sri Lanka that they almost certainly lost the game on day one.

It'll be interesting to see how they go on Friday.

What about ye guildford, hope ye are keeping well?

Sri Lanka did pretty much loose it on the first day but what character they have shown to keep fighting. I love things like this.

Close again for Bess then. Just as guildford praises Buttler he misses a stumping...though it was a tough one. Jos doesn't look happy though - probably because he is still waiting for his first stumping in a Test Match !


Few rather lucky runs coming since the last wicket as these two ride their luck...

alfie wrote:

Still think he's rubbish , goose ?

I know this is a cheeky ribbing not serious but ...


I never said I thought he was bad, just get baffled by why so many people are utterly up his bottom when he's doing distinctly average things, and that during the summer he had zero chance of being a wicket taking threat bowling at right handers. As it is he's taken 3 for 100 and loose change on a spinners pitch, its hardly glorious!


Seen a fair bit of speculation popping up about Moeen coming back in which feels remarkably premature, especially as he hasn't1 played any cricket at all for months. Cant see England changing this side significantly for the next test even after the obvious problems have been brutally exposed over the past 2 days play. They should still wrap up the win, but they now know they cant rely on Sri Lanka imploding next time to gift them a monster lead. They are even struggling with the genuine tail enders now, not good at all.

Not quite sure what the fix is other than doing what they have been doing but better, especially the fielding. Surprised that Curran hasnt been given another go.

Cheers, Billy. Yeah, I'm fine, thanks.

These two batters have just got to try and keep going in an effort to take the lead towards 3 figures. After Sri Lanka's collapse on day one, Mickey Arthur said they had to equal England's first innings score when they batted second dig and thus set England 135. That remains a long way off - they now lead by 57 with just 2 wickets left - but it should still be the aim.

guildfordbat wrote:Cheers, Billy. Yeah, I'm fine, thanks.

These two batters have just got to try and keep going in an effort to take the lead towards 3 figures. After Sri Lanka's collapse on day one, Mickey Arthur said they had to equal England's first innings score when they batted second dig and thus set England 135. That remains a long way off - they now lead by 57 with just 2 wickets left - but it should still be the aim.

Yep it sounded pretty simple when he said that, but to actually deliver that or near to it just shouldn't have been possible. But this is England playing away and the first test of a series so ....

Hi goose - Atherton thought there was next to no chance of Moeen being ready for Friday's Test. Although no longer having covid, he's still experiencing after effects.

Howya Goose, i am with you re Curran getting another few at these lads. He is a wicket taker and a proven partnership breaker.

34 run stand now... becoming annoying for England , who might have thought it was all but done at 8 down.

Won't be panicking over a 62 run lead , but...

Think I'd rather Broad than Wood.

Ooft. Very tight. I reckon out from batsman’s back angle... But too close to call and might give the batter the benefit? Nice work from Jos.

Buttler finally gets his first stumping

Or Curran , as you chaps are suggesting.

And thanks for not taking offence at my rather wicked niggle... I do get your reservations on Bess and I think our main difference is I see a little more upside than you do : I guess time will tell.

And I think Buttler finally has that elusive stumping ! By a micron via the third umpire...

Nine down. Aussies would complain at that one being given out

Ha. Mickey Arthur doesn't look happy with that decision...surprise .

Jos is pretty chuffed though...was a nice bit of work

Still Wood. Not sure I think that is the best option - he's been willing enough but I don't think Mathews is too bothered...

Really would prefer Broad.

I do like Fernando’s trigger movement of back across only to then immediately back away into his starting position when the ball is released! Surviving so far though...

Five for Leach .. three catches for Root

74 to win...

Is the Leach's first 5 for?

Gritty second innings from Sri Lanka ... all credit to Thirimanne and Mathews as well as the back up cast . Really made England work , but the Somerset Spin Twins have done the job in the end.

Now : are England going to give us anxious moments or do the business with calm and efficiency ? Stay tuned ...