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.

Anyway, Sri Lanka's 381 comprised one century and three fifties. In reply so far, we have Root's unbeaten ton and a fifty from Buttler who - like it or not - is back in the hutch.

Hard to see us coming up with three fifties from here. Good job the pathetic Root is still going ....

New ball time. Sri Lanka would like a swifter resolution to the final five wickets than England managed in the field.

Curran gone almost straight away, surely? No, the umpire declines the appeal. Sri Lanka review...umpire's call. Reprieve for Curran.

Unfortunately that wicket has rather strangled the run rate. So England are only 244 as the new ball arrives - had hoped for nearer 270.
Not too worried about the pace options but Embuldeniya will relish having a harder ball...

Morning all - Curran 7* off 38? I am not sure he has the technique for him to survive for a long period of fine so might be sorry him trying to play some shots. Particularly against Embuldineya spinning it into the left hander, rather than the offie taking it away. And he just survives a narrow LBW...

And a wicket on the last ball before tea. I'm surprised Curran lasted that long to be fair.

Five for Embuldeniya and, like Anderson, his team have looked mostly uninspired without him.

England won't be batting the day, as we hoped before play started.

And indeed Embuldeniya does the job again...finds the edge from Curran.

Rats. Tea at 251/6. Root in danger of running out of partners...

Currans wicket was always coming

I don't know what the bookmakers are thinking (I never do, to be fair), because the current in-play price on Sri Lanka is 11/10. Help yourself time. Unless you fancy England at 2/1, and I don't to be honest.

JDizzle wrote:Morning all - Curran 7* off 38? I am not sure he has the technique for him to survive for a long period of fine so might be sorry him trying to play some shots. Particularly against Embuldineya spinning it into the left hander, rather than the offie taking it away. And he just survives a narrow LBW...

Tend to agree. And indeed he took your advice and thumped one over the fence

But unfortunately gone straight after. Pity he got on strike just before tea, in retrospect.

Suppose they wanted to keep wickets in hand for the new ball. Root is tired , otherwise he might be inclined to attack while he still has partners. Bess can bat so all not lost yet but it isn't looking good...

Embuldeniya has been excellent

alfie wrote:Think you are in a minority there , Olly. Commentators reckon it was correctly judged , even after viewing all the shots.

The earlier one could be seen to bounce in front of the boot - just. This one certainly looked to me to be out.

Are you chaps sure you weren't looking at a comparative replay of the earlier incident ?

Ward and Atherton discussed the Buttler dismissal over tea. Apparently, there's a fair bit of support for me and Olly on social media - although looking to rely on that is debateable at best! Atherton was sure the third umpire got it right. Showed 2 clips. The first certainly supported the out decision. The second didn't although it was less clear. Anyway, in the book and history now.

JDizzle wrote:Morning all - Curran 7* off 38? I am not sure he has the technique for him to survive for a long period of fine so might be sorry him trying to play some shots. Particularly against Embuldineya spinning it into the left hander, rather than the offie taking it away. And he just survives a narrow LBW...

Probably the case for most of the tail I think - not going to last long just prodding away against the new ball I don’t think

So what does Root do now ? He has played so well , but he's getting weary (understandably).
This is where you sort of wish he was Ben Stokes . Or Flintoff. Not sure he is going to be able to hit half a dozen sixes and rattle up seventy or so in no time...

Probably try to nurse the bowlers through. Bess isn't a bunny ; Leach can hang about . Wood can throw the bat. And Jimmy has been known to resist for a while ... But another hundred plus looks a tall order.

guildfordbat wrote:

alfie wrote:Think you are in a minority there , Olly. Commentators reckon it was correctly judged , even after viewing all the shots.

The earlier one could be seen to bounce in front of the boot - just. This one certainly looked to me to be out.

Are you chaps sure you weren't looking at a comparative replay of the earlier incident ?

Ward and Atherton discussed the Buttler dismissal over tea. Apparently, there's a fair bit of support for me and Olly on social media - although looking to rely on that is debateable at best! Atherton was sure the third umpire got it right. Showed 2 clips. The first certainly supported the out decision. The second didn't although it was less clear. Anyway, in the book and history now.

Reckon I'll back Atherton & co over Social Media

I've watched it again and I'm quite sure it was out. The second angle suffered from the same distortion that often makes low catches look dodgy...but unless the first view was completely faked it was obvious it was hit straight on to the top of his boot.
I'm sure Mickey Arthur would have had a coronary if it hadn't been given so just as well ...

Runs hard to come by since Buttler came out. Root playing carefully , no sign of him looking to take the game on at present. Embuldeniya into his 32nd over ...so I guess he might get a little weary eventually - like Root.
Still 110 behind. They'll want to take this long , as much to rest the bowlers as for the runs.
Lakmal has been tidy , albeit not exactly menacing. But I think Sri Lanka would probably like a bit more from Perera.

Fairly obviously hits the ground before boot, on the front on angle the ball is on an upward trajectory before it hits the boot.

Soul Requiem wrote:Fairly obviously hits the ground before boot, on the front on angle the ball is on an upward trajectory before it hits the boot.

Then how do explain the other angle , which clearly shows it chopped onto the boot ? If it really bounced in front you would also see it from that angle. Never trust a front on view when judging ball being grounded...

Couple of nice boundaries for Bess gets the deficit under 100...

Bit surprised two seamers operating in tandem ? Guess Embuldeniya needs a rest but would have thought one of the other spinners would be employed.

In fact Embuldeniya is back now. Head and shoulders over the rest of the attack.

From both slow mo angles you can see the ball hit the ground first, if there is any doubt which there is it's not out.

Soul Requiem wrote:From both slow mo angles you can see the ball hit the ground first, if there is any doubt which there is it's not out.

Guess this proves one of us needs an eye test , I think

Just shows even drs isn't a perfect solution because people see things differently : we will have to agree to differ on this one . But I have the money

Root proceeding at snail like pace now ...but he's still in , which is the main thing.
Fortunately Bess is motoring now.

And Root finds the boundary and his 150

Played beautifully in this series. Wonder if Nathaniel is watching ?

Another lucky innings from Root, if only he had some talent to go with it

300 up

Didn't look that likely a couple of hours ago. Ball getting that bit softer now ; plus the bowlers are getting weary. Somewhat similar to what England had to deal with yesterday after that seventh wicket stand got going.

Not a lot of batting left in the shed ; but these two are making a fight of this. Let's have a drink...

Scoring runs against one off the worst attacks in test history - which is statistically correct as Lakmal, Perera and Embuldeniya average over 35.
Average batsman vs terrible bowlers

I would put Nathaniel on "ignore " ; but I like some comedy relief...

Facts are facts. You don’t like it cry me a river.

Facts are facts. Unless it is the fact that Root averages more in Asia than Smith - then those facts have disclaimers attached to them.

Excellent partnership this. Bess has knuckled down really well here. Comms keeping going on about getting the lead below 50 and SL might panic about forcing something, but I still think getting level has to be the bare minimum if England want to escape with something here.

Full credit to Root for his masterclass in these conditions, but Bess' supportive effort has been fantastic as well.

Ah well.  Facts are indeed facts (unless you are Donald Trump)

But opinions are like ar..holes : everyone has one.

Back in the real world , England are inching closer. Good Test Cricket , this.

Light meter coming out, play won't last much longer. Sri Lanka probably won't mind given the way this session has gone.

Root dropped. Absolute ripper from Embuldeniya. SL didn’t look too keen to stay out there, but they they might be a bit keener after seeing that.

Possible light issues ? Root seems to be seeing it pretty well...

Ironic : umpires apparently prohibiting use of the pace men ; perhaps England would find the seamers more relaxing.

Imagine Embuldeniya could use a night's sleep. Root too : but then he'd have to start his innings again in the morning...

Think on balance England might prefer to stay out there ? Though a wicket might change that.

Wow : first mistake Root has made in more than a day ! Just evaded slip ! He has earned some luck , I think.

How useless to offer a chance.

In all seriousness though this has been another textbook example of how to play on the subcontinent, keep it simple and know how to accumulate easy risk free runs. The rate he scored at in the first half of his innings without taking any risks was very impressive.

Couple of errors now from Root...weariness telling on him. No wonder.

Hope he can keep it together to the close. Every run counts.

Typical old subcontinental Test. Nearly three days done , and just 16 wickets have fallen. Yet we probably all think the chances of a draw are remote. Will be interesting to see just how this pitch comes up tomorrow ...really is no monster at the moment , but we know how quickly things can change in these parts ...

Root has played two ‘masterclasses’ against an attack that’s more Zimbabwe than Sri Lanka. Only time Root gets near the big 3 is when he’s carrying their kitbags.

alfie wrote:Couple of errors now from Root...weariness telling on him. No wonder.

Hope he can keep it together to the close. Every run counts.

Typical old subcontinental Test. Nearly three days done , and just 16 wickets have fallen. Yet we probably all think the chances of a draw are remote. Will be interesting to see just how this pitch comes up tomorrow ...really is no monster at the moment , but we know how quickly things can change in these parts ...

Think a few more have started to go in the last half an hour or so? I feel like I’ve started to see a few more puffs of dust and a few more bouncing than have been.

Close call for Bess there - clearly grounded to me though.

Bess' clear reprieve (don't know why Lloyd was questioning it!) doesn't last long. Very good innings from a number eight. Embuldeniya probably deserved that after a couple of overs of good bowling.

Pathetic from Root to lose another partner

Doesn’t make too much difference though as Bess nicks Embuldeniya to slip a few balls later. A well deserved sixth wicket - and he probably deserves a few more considering how he has outbowled the rest.

Probably not the most crucial of things, but I might have sent Leach in now to try and get through to the close. And then Wood and Broad can have a wallop tomorrow.

One of those contentious low catches...they always look dodgy ; but I think I agree with the third umpire that time...

Not that it matters as Bess has edged him to slip a few balls later. End of a fine support act ...and another success for Embuldeniya

Relief for Sri Lanka . England were getting uncomfortably close. Partnership was 81 : just what the doctor ordered.

Still 48 adrift. Wood in front of Leach... Hmm.

Leach can learn from how Embuldeniya uses the crease when he is bowling. He does it more by going more round arm occasionally which Leach won’t want to start doing in the middle of a test, but he can certainly mix up the angles on the crease he delivers from to get a similar effect.

Jokes aside its been about as good a fight from the lower order as we couldve hoped for here. When Lawrence were out England looked absolutely done. Still well behind in the game but a far better position at this point than it looked like it might have been and they should get close enough to Sri Lanka to keep them in the game if the pitch does become a lottery

Good catch. Sri Lanka have their obligatory second wicket of the session and it looks as though they will have a small lead.

Yeah we have seen some puffs of dust , JD ; but nothing leaping or shooting yet. Agree it will get harder to bat on ; question being how soon.

Wood probably the most likely to whack a few ...but he's just swung and lost his wicket. I think I'd have gone with Leach too - and that isn't hindsight.

Ah well. At least they haven't lost the last six wickets for fifty like the first match...

Leach in now.

Duty281 wrote:Good catch. Sri Lanka have their obligatory second wicket of the session and it looks as though they will have a small lead.

Yep, fifth catch by Thirimanne. Not easy with Dickwella flapping about in front of him like a demented salmon!

Duty281 wrote:Good catch. Sri Lanka have their obligatory second wicket of the session and it looks as though they will have a small lead.

Five catches for Thirimanne...all off Embuldeniya. Record , I think. He's had a decent match...series , actually.

Deficit now just 43. Pity Broad isn't playing ...all the "B"s seem to be the only ones apart from Root getting any runs. Could have done with one of his frisky thirties...

Root has scored half the runs (including extras) that England have amassed over 3 innings despite getting out for a 1.

That puts some context to the level of his performance, and how bad the rest of England have been.

Well lets hope the 50% stat gets ruined

Bonkers that he's only been out to bowling once

What an unfortunate way for Root to depart after a stupendous innings. Without him England would have already been sunk.

Well played skipper.    

England did bat the day, but Sri Lanka have a pretty decent advantage going into day four, considering England will be batting last. They'll be disappointed they didn't wrap the innings up after having England six down at tea. Embuldeniya again the star and the only threat from Sri Lanka's bowlers.

What a horrible flakey way for Root to get out ! And in the last over of the day...great fielding ; but dead unlucky for Joe. Terrific innings , 186

My road map called for batting all day . Had hoped to be only eight down , and hopefully twenty runs closer. But I will take this. Only 42 behind so close enough Sri Lanka won't be able to bat without pressure tomorrow.

Still advantage Sri Lanka ; but we have a contest.

alfie wrote:

My road map called for batting all day . Had hoped to be only eight down , and hopefully twenty runs closer.

Can blame sri lankas over rate on both accounts!


Every ball and every run that the last 3 can get through tomorrow morning is huge for Englands hopes here. 40 runs is a pretty handy lead with the way things are shaping up, with the pitch.


Its still baffling just how much mayhem one bowler for each team has managed to cause in the test whilst all the others have looked largely innocuous. Do think hes been helped by Sri Lanka allowing license to bowl aggressively and not be concerned about maidens. Been a bit different this afternoon when England just shut up shop after losing wickets and as its spun more and more but yesterday Embuldeniya was leaking runs for his wickets. Leach and Bess will be in a tougher spot, regardless of what the tail does they will still be torn between putting the ball there to be hit to draw false strokes and a concern that every boundary makes Englands 4th innings an even bigger ask.