Cricket

[stannyr]

I'd attack, get to 200 hitting out rather than get bogged down on a bunsen

They'll play same as first innings I'd imagine which was positive. Can't knock Buttler as he batted well but I knew he was gonna get out with that reverse. Was playing it every other ball. They still need to pick their battles on when to attack.

 

[toffeejack]

finnaly, worrying lead of 46, england will have to bat 1/2 overs, just stay in. Need a good solid base from the openers here, burns to get his first 50?

 

[Walken]

They'll play same as first innings I'd imagine which was positive. Can't knock Buttler as he batted well but I knew he was gonna get out with that reverse. Was playing it every other ball. They still need to pick their battles on when to attack.

Buttler generally reads the tempo very well, but yeah he'll be bit annoyed with that

 

[toffeejack]

now, is it right that england have to face this over? They've bowled more than the allotted overs for the day and it seems like they're being punished for that by having to face an over with nothing to gain.

Had they bowled less than the alloted overs they wouldn't have had to face it. Ah well, leach blocked out 0/0

 

[Chris O'Connor]

i watched the highlights yesterday and thought the same, hadn't heard it mentioned so presumed he must have hit it.

It was on the sky coverage, not only did he miss it, he was nowhere near it, he may have somehow thought he had hit it or perhaps more likely had a brainfade and forgot there are reviews in tests.

It has to be one of those but a rookie error and something he should learn from.

On today,

You really have to say hats off to Sri Lanka that was their best day of the tour by a country mile.

England really struggled to dismiss the lower order. I guess that will teach me for feeling so optimistic about England in the subcontinent.

Sri Lanka haven't listened to my script, and that 46 run lead could prove absolutely crucial. They are still batting last on this wicket and more than likely still have a disadvantage in that sense, but with that lead they have now given themselves every chance. If they pull off a victory it will be one that has been done the hard way and against all the odds.

England were out 'Englanded' in a way -155-6 to 336 all out.

Sri Lanka have a lead largely thanks new man Roshen Silva's resolute 85, although there were other notable efforts too including a watchful 63 from opener Karanuratne and a graceful 59 from Dhananjaya de Silva who had earlier set the tone.

England might still be grateful to Ben Stokes who produced a moment of brilliance, with a fantastic run out, complete with one handed take and throw in one motion. Followed by a one handed super grab at slip off Leach.

(Sam Curran had a side strain and couldn't bowl today with the spinners taking all nine wickets other than the run out)

Well done Sri Lanka

Its fairly even as to who might win now with Sri Lanka marginally favourites

Sri Lanka 3/4, England 6/4, draw 12/1

 

[stannyr]

It was on the sky coverage, not only did he miss it, he was nowhere near it, he may have somehow thought he had hit it or perhaps more likely had a brainfade and forgot there are reviews in tests.

It has to be one of those but a rookie error and something he should learn from.

On today,

You really have to say hats off to Sri Lanka that was their best day of the tour by a country mile.

England really struggled to dismiss the lower order. I guess that will teach me for feeling so optimistic about England in the subcontinent.

Sri Lanka haven't listened to my script, and that 46 run lead could prove absolutely crucial. They are still batting last on this wicket and more than likely still have a disadvantage in that sense, but with that lead they have now given themselves every chance. If they pull off a victory it will be one that has been done the hard way and against all the odds.

England were out 'Englanded' in a way -155-6 to 336 all out.

Sri Lanka have a lead largely thanks new man Roshen Silva's resolute 85, although there were other notable efforts too including a watchful 63 from opener Karanuratne and a graceful 59 from Dhananjaya de Silva who had earlier set the tone.

England might still be grateful to Ben Stokes who produced a moment of brilliance, with a fantastic run out, complete with one handed take and throw in one motion. Followed by a one handed super grab at slip off Leach.

(Sam Curran had a side strain and couldn't bowl today with the spinners taking all nine wickets other than the run out)

Well done Sri Lanka

Its fairly even as to who might win now with Sri Lanka marginally favourites

Sri Lanka 3/4, England 6/4, draw 12/1

Nice summary, ta.

Curran did actually bowl a few others with the second new ball, without looking in or causing any trouble but side strains can be nasty.

 

[toffeejack]

It was on the sky coverage, not only did he miss it, he was nowhere near it, he may have somehow thought he had hit it or perhaps more likely had a brainfade and forgot there are reviews in tests.

It has to be one of those but a rookie error and something he should learn from.

On today,

You really have to say hats off to Sri Lanka that was their best day of the tour by a country mile.

England really struggled to dismiss the lower order. I guess that will teach me for feeling so optimistic about England in the subcontinent.

Sri Lanka haven't listened to my script, and that 46 run lead could prove absolutely crucial. They are still batting last on this wicket and more than likely still have a disadvantage in that sense, but with that lead they have now given themselves every chance. If they pull off a victory it will be one that has been done the hard way and against all the odds.

England were out 'Englanded' in a way -155-6 to 336 all out.

Sri Lanka have a lead largely thanks new man Roshen Silva's resolute 85, although there were other notable efforts too including a watchful 63 from opener Karanuratne and a graceful 59 from Dhananjaya de Silva who had earlier set the tone.

England might still be grateful to Ben Stokes who produced a moment of brilliance, with a fantastic run out, complete with one handed take and throw in one motion. Followed by a one handed super grab at slip off Leach.

(Sam Curran had a side strain and couldn't bowl today with the spinners taking all nine wickets other than the run out)

Well done Sri Lanka

Its fairly even as to who might win now with Sri Lanka marginally favourites

Sri Lanka 3/4, England 6/4, draw 12/1

fair few stats in that innings as well - thinks like the first time numbers 8-11 (although everybody from 6 did) have all passed 15 against england. First time since the 70's since england have gone a whole first innings without a seamer getting a wicket. Think it's the first time since then that england have had 4 spinners take a wicket in an innings.


I'm still unsure of those 5 penalty runs though, it seems a tad odd it was added to england's first innings total, it would have made more sense for them to start their 2nd innings on 5-0. I mena the first innings was all over, can't really go back and change the score, except for something which happened in that innings i.e. a missed run etc? I'm wondering whether those five runs go towards the final wicket partnership now?

 

[Chris O'Connor]

I'm still unsure of those 5 penalty runs though, it seems a tad odd it was added to england's first innings total, it would have made more sense for them to start their 2nd innings on 5-0. I mena the first innings was all over, can't really go back and change the score, except for something which happened in that innings i.e. a missed run etc? I'm wondering whether those five runs go towards the final wicket partnership now?

No it's been added correctly as in the rules. It is only added to the team total, not any individual scores or partnerships between batsmen or byes, just to the total.

 

[toffeejack]

No it's been added correctly as in the rules. It is only added to the team total, not any individual scores or partnerships between batsmen or byes, just to the total.

Yeah, I was disputing the rule. England still in trouble here I feel, they'd still need one more fifty + partnership for me because they still only lead by 184.

So bizarre that all 6 wickets have been to the sweep shot, Ali unlucky with his wicket as both reviews had gone.

Tms just said something like they were something like 80/5 with the sweeps this innings and 137/0 for all other shots, so you do have to wonder why they're persisting with it.

I like the aggressive way they're playing though, would be worse to bat slowly and then have a massive collapse when the pitch really starts to wear away when they're not a large amount ahead.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

England still in trouble here I feel, they'd still need one more fifty + partnership for me because they still only lead by 184.

England 213-6 net (259-6)
Root 98*

Admittedly they've added 29 since your post but they're now in a very strong position. They still need to get more but must be fancied now.

After the way Sri Lanka batted first time around nothing is impossible but you would have to say any lead above 250 will be difficult to chase with scoreboard pressure, variable bounce and England so used to winning recently.

(Won their last 5 from 6 tests)

The sweep has been a brilliant tactic and spread the field ensuring such a strong position, those sweep stats are a nonsense as the spread field has ensured better value for virtually all shots and less close fielders

Odds have completely changed around from when Sri Lanka were odds on favourites overnight


England 1/3, Sri Lanka 31/10

 

[Walken]

Captain's knock this

 

[Connor]

Excellent knock from root.

 

[ToffeeTim]

Could have done without those 2 wickets. Were very close to a comfortable lead.

 

[ToffeeTim]

I would not want to be batting with this guy umpiring. He can't wait to get the finger up.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

Poor umpiring chopped off Ali and Rashid but England 278 ahead with Jimmy's century still to come are in a strong position