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.

Watched some of the middle session and all of the last session. I first saw Anderson's 3 wickets when they were all quickly replayed at tea. My initial impression was that each was down to batsman error to varying degrees. I guess that's where KP-f is coming from in saying Anderson was ''lucky''. However, I now very much side with Duty as immediately above. I feel I didn't give (nearly) enough credit to Anderson for the pressure he built in keeping it so dry and the planned variations at times, especially in dismissing Thirimanne.

The commendable tightness of his bowling in contrast to that of Leach and Bess. Too straightforward for Mathews and Sri Lanka as our spinners went at exactly 3 an over and sent down a mere 4 maidens in their combined 40.

I was pleased for Wood that he finally got a much deserved wicket which seemed to act like an oxygen tent for him. Incredible spell of 8 overs on the reel in the final session.

I hardly noticed Buttler behind the stumps. Based on that and the nil comments here about him, I reckon he can regard himself as putting in a decent day's work.

Still a very long way to go in this Test but, like most here, I would put the hosts slightly ahead at this stage. They are not out of sight but they have runs on the board and are obviously going to add more. Whatever they end up with tomorrow, we are probably going to have to better first dig.

PS I totally agree with KP-f about Mark Butcher on comms. Not nearly as humorous as he thinks he is and needs to beef up his research. Fortunately, we were largely spared him on Sky - think he's mainly with the host broadcaster - although he did sneak in at close of play.

Zaltzman on TMS was on about the maidens bowled by spinners in Test cricket, and I thought he said 20% - but looking it up since 2017 there have been 1593 maidens bowled by spinners in Tests in Asia. A total of around 15%.

https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?bowling_pacespin=2;class=1;continent=2;filter=advanced;groupby=overall;orderby=wickets;spanmin1=01+Jan+2017;spanval1=span;template=results;type=bowling

Change that to just in the first innings and the figure drops to 12.5%.

https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?bowling_pacespin=2;class=1;continent=2;filter=advanced;groupby=overall;innings_number=1;orderby=wickets;spanmin1=01+Jan+2017;spanval1=span;template=results;type=bowling

Basically, even bowling spin in the sub continent is hard!

I think it’s also noticeable how Leach in both this game and the second innings of the First Test has started off (his first 10 overs or so) going at 4 an over or even just above and has then dragged it back to something more respectable.

Unfortunately I was in bed at 4.30, so not sure whether this down to SL trying to target him early, him bowling better with an older ball, getting more defensive fields as the overs and partnership tick on or a combination of all three. Something to keep an eye and something for England to react too.

JDizzle wrote:I think it’s also noticeable how Leach in both this game and the second innings of the First Test has started off (his first 10 overs or so) going at 4 an over or even just above and has then dragged it back to something more respectable.

Unfortunately I was in bed at 4.30, so not sure whether this down to SL trying to target him early, him bowling better with an older ball, getting more defensive fields as the overs and partnership tick on or a combination of all three. Something to keep an eye and something for England to react too.

I think it's indicative of Leach being so far out of match practice. If he plays all 4 Tests in India, which he seems nailed on to do, then I think his consistency will improve.

That lack of control from the weak spin department makes Anderson and Broads experience all the more important as well in my opinion. They are so good at tying up an end these days.

Anderson produces the magic to remove the centurion Mendis, though it required a review. What a bowler.

232/5 and England are now on the front foot.

Mendis' debut ends with a duck after Buttler takes a diving one-handed catch. One of those that just sticks on a good day. 

Dickwella and Perera in now, after that it's the proper tail.

Excellent first hour from England - now an opportunity for the spinners to back it up, Dickwella is looking dangerous

Dickwella and Perera's mostly solid partnership is putting Sri Lanka back into a good position, 313/6 at lunch.

Same story. The spinners came on, the pressure came off. Frustrating for England after making such a good start. They'll still be hopeful of an Anderson burst after lunch to curtail this score below 350.

Dickwella's never made a test ton but, like a few other batsmen, he may make his finest contribution against England.

No test ton for Dickwella, Anderson gets five after a good catch from Leach. Clever field placing from Root, and Anderson delivered one just a little too wide for Dickwella to properly connect with.

Now can England clear out the tail in double-quick time?

Yep, Lakmal goes second ball. Sharp catch from Crawley that time. Anderson has 6/38 on this pitch which is just staggering.

Rarer 6 wicket haul for Jimmy! Could be on for his best innings figures here

Anderson hitting a batsman with the short ball in his 28th over shows how bad the tail is!

JDizzle wrote:Zaltzman on TMS was on about the maidens bowled by spinners in Test cricket, and I thought he said 20% - but looking it up since 2017 there have been 1593 maidens bowled by spinners in Tests in Asia. A total of around 15%.

https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?bowling_pacespin=2;class=1;continent=2;filter=advanced;groupby=overall;orderby=wickets;spanmin1=01+Jan+2017;spanval1=span;template=results;type=bowling

Change that to just in the first innings and the figure drops to 12.5%.

https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?bowling_pacespin=2;class=1;continent=2;filter=advanced;groupby=overall;innings_number=1;orderby=wickets;spanmin1=01+Jan+2017;spanval1=span;template=results;type=bowling

Basically, even bowling spin in the sub continent is hard!

Presumably partly because the batsman are so comfortable playing spinners, especially the English types who tend to be very orthodox.

Leach has bowled better than his series figures would suggest, Bess maybe flattered by that first innings gifting but has arguably been better here for now reward. I think this does show that the batsman (and luck) play a fair part in the wickets that the bowlers take, certainly leach was much more effective last time he was here without doing much different. The lack of cricket perhaps has affected his endurance and consistency too, but hes not been terrible. Some of the milking of runs perhaps comes later as the batsmen settle down as a unit and just become more confident taking small risks whereas the top order is just trying to bat time and see off the new ball. He did run through Sri Lankas tail at the end of the 4th tests suggesting he had something in the tank still.

Anyway at least Leach can catch! England have missed a bit of that.

Anderson seems to, like Broad, be having the opposite effect on batsmen. They are just terrified of him. He's not doing anything that exceptional, although being consistent and accurate he's still plodding down at what should be a comfortable speed on these wickets. These batsmen are used to making mincemeat of this sort of bowling, but seem terrified of playing shots to him and then playing the wrong shot when they do. There's an element of cleverness too mind, he's tempting the tail ended now bowling deliberately wide and there's been several changes in plans according to the batsmen. But still none of the balls have done much and in themselves shouldn't be that threatening to test batsmen. Vaughan and Cook talked yesterday about it being a case of playing the man not the ball and Andersons reputation getting into the batsmen's heads, where it Woakes bowling the same balls they'd be more confident to play him.

Anyway you cant really argue with numbers, Jimmy and Broad have absolutely bailed England out in this series. It may defy logic that medium pacers are doing so well but they are. The spinners figures are looking horrible. Big questions for India, and it could be raising Moeens stock without him even leaving his bedroom.

Jimmy Anderson... Just what a bowler.

Sri Lanka cross over 350. Think they would have taken this at the start of play today. Perera's made a highly useful 44 and counting.

Will be an uphill task for England to save this.

Any danger of Leach or Bess doing a wicket?

Duty281 wrote:Sri Lanka cross over 350. Think they would have taken this at the start of play today. Perera's made a highly useful 44 and counting.

Will be an uphill task for England to save this.

Yeah, I thought 350 was the upper limit of what England could afford to concede. Now they are into having to make 550/600 to have a shot which is a tough ask for any batting line up, never mind this inexperienced one.

https://twitter.com/willis_macp/status/1352889036449456129?s=21

https://twitter.com/the_topspin/status/1352893834557091842?s=21

Weird, I’ve been told one is a home track bully and can’t do it away from home...

381 - massively disappointing after getting Mathews so early today. The field setting to Perera was needlessly elaborate and complex. Yes, he was having a good innings, but he's still a number eight with a test average lower than 20. 

All ten wickets fell to the seamers, six to noble Jimmy. Time for an all-seam attack in India?

Will take a big effort from England's batsmen to ensure England win the series.

Sibley out for a 14-ball duck as he gets trapped in his crease by the slow left arm guile.

Burnt a review too, I think, he looked plumb. Yes, he has.

Oh dear, Crawley out too. 5/2. Embuldeniya tying England up in knots.

Got in just in time to see Leach take a nice catch and see Sri Lanka out for 381...

Thirty over par or twenty below ? Either way England need to bat very well in reply.

Not the best start. Sibley in Asia is looking a unhappy idea.

And alas Crawley gone too

Trouble.

Have Sibley and Crawley ever seen a left arm spinner before?

Bess and Leach will be keeping their head down in the changing room watching this opening spell from Embuldinya. Two new openers for India? Although thank God Jadeja is injured.

Atherton and Hussain on comms discussing how a batsman’s right shoulder position dictates their ability to play left arm spin - and how that is influenced by other things in their technique such as backlift, grip etc. They really are excellent in the box - different level of analysis to pretty much any other comms worldwide

JDizzle wrote:Atherton and Hussain on comms discussing how a batsman’s right shoulder position dictates their ability to play left arm spin - and how that is influenced by other things in their technique such as backlift, grip etc. They really are excellent in the box - different level of analysis to pretty much any other comms worldwide

Enjoyed Sangakkara and Jayawardene’s inputs this series too - a change from the usual nonsense from Russell Arnold when we play Sri Lanka...

JDizzle wrote:Atherton and Hussain on comms discussing how a batsman’s right shoulder position dictates their ability to play left arm spin - and how that is influenced by other things in their technique such as backlift, grip etc. They really are excellent in the box - different level of analysis to pretty much any other comms worldwide

Mornin' JD and all - Yes. Lloyd also showing he's not the fool he often makes himself out to be.

And then Lloyd undoes his good work by talking about karaoke!

This Embuldeniya looks a real find for Sri Lanka. Thought he bowled well first Test , although these two and Lawrence managed to get on top of him in the first innings eventually. He certainly has a hold on the England openers !

On another planet from Leach and Bess.

At some point Chandimal has to start just ignoring Dickwella for these reviews

That was a Tim Paine review ! No shot ; but it wouldn't have hit another set...

Gotta love the delusional English cricket reporters like Johnathan Agnew, the pathetic Joe Root gets cheap runs against a terrible Sri Lankan side and that clown proclaimed ‘Root is as good as Williamson, Smith and Kohli’. Always good to start the morning with a laugh.

Mirror of the Sri Lankan innings so far (except for the spinner taking two) - two wickets lost early, then the 3rd wicket partnership rebuilds things nicely. Mind you, Sri Lanka lost their 3rd wicket around this time.

50 for Root. Another fine effort.

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:Gotta love the delusional English cricket reporters like Johnathan Agnew, the pathetic Joe Root gets cheap runs against a terrible Sri Lankan side and that clown proclaimed ‘Root is as good as Williamson, Smith and Kohli’. Always good to start the morning with a laugh.

Given the pathetic Root averages more Smith and Williamson in Asia, I think they probably could learn from watching him tbf.

Fine fifty Joe Root Seems to be in good shape this trip...

JDizzle wrote:

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:Gotta love the delusional English cricket reporters like Johnathan Agnew, the pathetic Joe Root gets cheap runs against a terrible Sri Lankan side and that clown proclaimed ‘Root is as good as Williamson, Smith and Kohli’. Always good to start the morning with a laugh.

Given the pathetic Root averages more Smith and Williamson in Asia, I think they probably could learn from watching him tbf.

Average means what? Smith has more hundreds in Asia in fewer innings than Root. There’s literally nothing Root could ‘teach’ Smith.

Mods, who let the troll out of the cupboard?

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:

JDizzle wrote:

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:Gotta love the delusional English cricket reporters like Johnathan Agnew, the pathetic Joe Root gets cheap runs against a terrible Sri Lankan side and that clown proclaimed ‘Root is as good as Williamson, Smith and Kohli’. Always good to start the morning with a laugh.

Given the pathetic Root averages more Smith and Williamson in Asia, I think they probably could learn from watching him tbf.

Average means what? Smith has more hundreds in Asia in fewer innings than Root. There’s literally nothing Root could ‘teach’ Smith.

How not to cry at press conferences could be a good start.

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:

JDizzle wrote:

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:Gotta love the delusional English cricket reporters like Johnathan Agnew, the pathetic Joe Root gets cheap runs against a terrible Sri Lankan side and that clown proclaimed ‘Root is as good as Williamson, Smith and Kohli’. Always good to start the morning with a laugh.

Given the pathetic Root averages more Smith and Williamson in Asia, I think they probably could learn from watching him tbf.

Average means what? Smith has more hundreds in Asia in fewer innings than Root. There’s literally nothing Root could ‘teach’ Smith.

Average means on average he scores more runs an innings in Asia.

alfie wrote:Fine fifty Joe Root    Seems to be in good shape this trip...

Absolutely superb from ball one today - looks like he’s playing a different game to the other batsmen. Good work by him and Bairstow to see it through to the close, albeit England still a fair bit behind in the game

Root showing his class again, different level to anyone else in the team and a masterclass in playing spin.

98/2 at the close. The two Yorkies have played very well , stabilising things a bit...lot to do yet though.

England will certainly take that after the torrid start from the openers. Simple task tomorrow: bat all day.

JDizzle wrote:

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:

JDizzle wrote:

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:Gotta love the delusional English cricket reporters like Johnathan Agnew, the pathetic Joe Root gets cheap runs against a terrible Sri Lankan side and that clown proclaimed ‘Root is as good as Williamson, Smith and Kohli’. Always good to start the morning with a laugh.

Given the pathetic Root averages more Smith and Williamson in Asia, I think they probably could learn from watching him tbf.

Average means what? Smith has more hundreds in Asia in fewer innings than Root. There’s literally nothing Root could ‘teach’ Smith.

Average means on average he scores more runs an innings in Asia.

Smith dominated India in India whereas Root’s mediocre standard is stat padding against a pathetic Sri Lankan side. There’s levels to this test cricket lark. Smith all time great, Root is an also ran.

Striking at 87 and manoeuvring the spinners as he did was superb from Root. Him or Bairstow needs to go big with contributions from Lawrence and Buttler if England are going to get ahead of the game though. Have to aim to bat all through tomorrow at the bare minimum, and ideally till lunch on Day 4 with how the wicket is going to break down.

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:

JDizzle wrote:

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:

JDizzle wrote:

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:Gotta love the delusional English cricket reporters like Johnathan Agnew, the pathetic Joe Root gets cheap runs against a terrible Sri Lankan side and that clown proclaimed ‘Root is as good as Williamson, Smith and Kohli’. Always good to start the morning with a laugh.

Given the pathetic Root averages more Smith and Williamson in Asia, I think they probably could learn from watching him tbf.

Average means what? Smith has more hundreds in Asia in fewer innings than Root. There’s literally nothing Root could ‘teach’ Smith.

Average means on average he scores more runs an innings in Asia.

Smith dominated India in India whereas Root’s mediocre standard is stat padding against a pathetic Sri Lankan side. There’s levels to this test cricket lark. Smith all time great, Root is an also ran.

Root averages 53 in India.

JDizzle wrote:

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:Gotta love the delusional English cricket reporters like Johnathan Agnew, the pathetic Joe Root gets cheap runs against a terrible Sri Lankan side and that clown proclaimed ‘Root is as good as Williamson, Smith and Kohli’. Always good to start the morning with a laugh.

Given the pathetic Root averages more Smith and Williamson in Asia, I think they probably could learn from watching him tbf.

Settle down please , Nathaniel ...

We would probably all concede Root needs to convert more fifties to big scores to be inarguably on a par with the other three. But to call him "pathetic " ? That's just idiotic. He is a terrific batsman and I won't be at all surprised if his end of career figures are better than he has now.

All great batsmen get to carve up poor opposition at times , by the way. He hasn't made 8000 runs just off rubbish...

JDizzle wrote:

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:

JDizzle wrote:

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:

JDizzle wrote:

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:Gotta love the delusional English cricket reporters like Johnathan Agnew, the pathetic Joe Root gets cheap runs against a terrible Sri Lankan side and that clown proclaimed ‘Root is as good as Williamson, Smith and Kohli’. Always good to start the morning with a laugh.

Given the pathetic Root averages more Smith and Williamson in Asia, I think they probably could learn from watching him tbf.

Average means what? Smith has more hundreds in Asia in fewer innings than Root. There’s literally nothing Root could ‘teach’ Smith.

Average means on average he scores more runs an innings in Asia.

Smith dominated India in India whereas Root’s mediocre standard is stat padding against a pathetic Sri Lankan side. There’s levels to this test cricket lark. Smith all time great, Root is an also ran.

Root averages 53 in India.

Not in smith’s league whom averages 60

JDizzle wrote:Striking at 87 and manoeuvring the spinners as he did was superb from Root. Him or Bairstow needs to go big with contributions from Lawrence and Buttler if England are going to get ahead of the game though. Have to aim to bat all through tomorrow at the bare minimum, and ideally till lunch on Day 4 with how the wicket is going to break down.

Road map pretty well what they did in the first Test from a similar position at end of day one. Difference is this time they are chasing 381 not 135

But if they can (A) Turn this into 350/4 again ; and then (B) Not throw away the last six wickets in a mad rush...then they could be in the game.

To be honest I am finding it hard to see a way for England to win from here - time/runs , two days gone already ; but after losing the toss and conceding nearly 400 I'd take a draw. Not suggesting they should abandon hopes of winning ; but let's get a lead first and then see where we are rather than any kamikaze rubbish...

Well bairstow mightve shut a few critics up at least with his showings so far on tour


Still fancy england are a way behind here. Same old problems just not being able to run through the tail means Sri Lanka have a healthy total with england facing the worst of the pitch.

Quite whats going on with the spinners is hard to fathom. They arent that bad, but the figures are horrendous. Leach at least got a moral wicket but even Curran managed a real one.

Just as well joe roots a flat track bully really

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:

JDizzle wrote:

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:

JDizzle wrote:

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:

JDizzle wrote:

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:Gotta love the delusional English cricket reporters like Johnathan Agnew, the pathetic Joe Root gets cheap runs against a terrible Sri Lankan side and that clown proclaimed ‘Root is as good as Williamson, Smith and Kohli’. Always good to start the morning with a laugh.

Given the pathetic Root averages more Smith and Williamson in Asia, I think they probably could learn from watching him tbf.

Average means what? Smith has more hundreds in Asia in fewer innings than Root. There’s literally nothing Root could ‘teach’ Smith.

Average means on average he scores more runs an innings in Asia.

Smith dominated India in India whereas Root’s mediocre standard is stat padding against a pathetic Sri Lankan side. There’s levels to this test cricket lark. Smith all time great, Root is an also ran.

Root averages 53 in India.

Not in smith’s league whom averages 60

I never disputed Smith was good in Asia. You said Root was pathetic. Clearly he’s not and that was an inane comment.