England (421 & 76/3) defeat Sri Lanka (135 & 359) by 7 wickets to win the 1st Test

[sweep_shot]

Sri Lanka all-rounder Angelo Mathews is set to return to the Test arena after being named in the 22-man squad for the upcoming home Test series against England.

Mathews, who missed Sri Lanka’s last Test series against South Africa due to a hamstring injury, have been recalled alongside Nuwan Pradeep, Roshen Silva and Lakshan Sandakan. Uncapped Ramesh Mendis is also in the squad led by Dimuth Karunaratne.

The hosts have left Dhananjaya de Silva, Kasun Rajitha, Santhush Gunathilake and Dilshan Madushanka out of the squad. All were part of the 2-0 series whitewash in South Africa.

The two-match Test series will begin on January 14 in Galle.

Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Kusal Janith Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Oshada Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella, Minod Bhanuka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Lasith Embuldeniya, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Dasun Shanaka, Asitha Fernando, Roshen Silva, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Ramesh Mendis

 

[MenInG]

Teams:
England (Playing XI): Zak Crawley, Dominic Sibley, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root(c), Daniel Lawrence, Jos Buttler(w), Sam Curran, Dominic Bess, Jack Leach, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal(c), Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella(w), Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dilruwan Perera, Lasith Embuldeniya, Asitha Fernando

Sri Lanka have won the toss and have opted to bat

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

A hint of swing with new ball but pitch looks a patta.

 

[BDfanforever]

Field looks really bad.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Sri Lanka is so beautiful. The stadium is right next to the beach.

 

[MMHS]

This guy Lahiru definitely has got some compromised pictures of top brasses of SRL cricket politics - under every regime he has kept coming back and so far has played 36 Tests as specialist bat with an average of <23.....played 127 ODIs as well at 35/72 stats.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Another disastrous start for Sri Lanka, 2 down already. Mendis out for his fourth consecutive duck.

Arthur will no doubt cite the excuse that they lost their captain on the eve of the test match, so a top order collapse was inevitable.

 

[Devadwal]

2 wickets in 3 ball by Broad .Sri Lanka 16/2

 

[Devadwal]

Kusal Mendis in last 4 Test innings:

0(5)
0(4)
0(1)
0(2)

4 ducks in a row.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

SL are just way too weak a side especially without Karuna.

 

[BDfanforever]

This guy Lahiru definitely has got some compromised pictures of top brasses of SRL cricket politics - under every regime he has kept coming back and so far has played 36 Tests as specialist bat with an average of <23.....played 127 ODIs as well at 35/72 stats.

His highest score is against BD.

 

[MMHS]

His highest score is against BD.

That makes it even worse and guy got out caught at leg slip today!!!!!

 

[MMHS]

SRL has picked two proper spinner today backed by Hansara, on this Gale track, somehow if they can manage 300 on first innings, they'll win this Test.

 

[BDfanforever]

Mark Wood has nice bowling action...147k.

 

[BDfanforever]

Surrounding is beautiful but the stadium looks like its been ravaged by world war.

 

[Slog]

Lol wth. Wasn’t Sri Lanka playing SA last week or sth?

 

[Slog]

Cmon Angelo!!

 

[andy0204]

Broad is getting better with age.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Broad is getting better with age.

At home, yes he is. But you can't take wickets against SL SL seriously

 

[observer1]

Broad is getting better with age.

A very poor SL side really helps.

 

[MenInG]

SL 65/3 (24) CRR: 2.71
Day 1: Lunch Break

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Mathews gone to Broad. SL crumbling.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Chandimal gone as well 83/5

SL batting shambolic once again in a test match.

 

[sindhiboy]

3 top order wickets for broad on a subcontinental pitch with almost non existent seam and swing.
Good effort

He has bowled better than the spinners bess and Leach. Sri Lankans gave away their wickets to the spinners cheaply.

It has been poor batting

 

[Mobashir]

Does anyone know why isn't Pope playing?

 

[sindhiboy]

3 top order wickets for broad on a subcontinental pitch with almost non existent seam and swing.
Good effort

He has bowled better than the spinners bess and Leach. Sri Lankans gave away their wickets to the spinners cheaply.

It has been poor batting

Having said that he's getting a bit of movement now.

Bowling alot of leg cutters as well

 

[Robert]

3 top order wickets for broad on a subcontinental pitch with almost non existent seam and swing.
Good effort

He has bowled better than the spinners bess and Leach. Sri Lankans gave away their wickets to the spinners cheaply.

It has been poor batting

Broad has never been a swinger. He’s more of a McGrath type - aim for top of off, cut it about, get some lift.

This is about the best side England could field given injuries / COVID. I would have Foakes behind the sticks though.

 

[HitWicket]

Does anyone know why isn't Pope playing?

Not fully fit yet, will be back for the India series.

 

[Amjid Javed]

SL batting is woefully on a par with pakistans right now.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

This is not true. Broad's bowling has changed continuously throughout his career. He used to be an outswing bowler until Flower took over. That's when he started holding his length back and lost his outswinger and focused on bowling that good length all McGrath.

Last couple of years hes been targeting the stumps a lot more and bowling a lot fuller especially with the new ball

 

[Mobashir]

Not fully fit yet, will be back for the India series.

Thank you

 

[Robert]

This is not true. Broad's bowling has changed continuously throughout his career. He used to be an outswing bowler until Flower took over. That's when he started holding his length back and lost his outswinger and focused on bowling that good length all McGrath.

Last couple of years hes been targeting the stumps a lot more and bowling a lot fuller especially with the new ball

I wish he did have an outswinger, he would be unstoppable now.

What is going on with SL? How are they 130-8 on the first day of a home test against an attack which is workmanlike though not particularly good?

 

[Mobashir]

Disastrous batting by SL here. Don't know how they can recover from it in this test match.

 

[sindhiboy]

Bess has got 3 wickets off garbage deliveries
Could have possibly robbed broad of a 5 Fer.

This has been some of worst batting I've seen in the past few years

 

[HitWicket]

Dodgy third umpire decision on the run out but didn't matter in the end.

 

[naseem]

9 down for 130 odd OMG

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

What are Sri Lanka doing? Horrible batting and horrible shots.
After watching SLPL, and this innings, Mickey Arthur is at a wrong place at wrong time in Sri Lanka cricket.
Some of the shots and running looked very very dodgy, To be honest.

Dom Bess, he will be carted around in India by Rohit and Co, and even Pakistani/Australian batsmen will blow him away. He has a fiver... lol..

 

[Robert]

Astonishing first day collapse having won the toss.

This Michelle will give Bess confidence.

 

[sindhiboy]

This has been one of the worst 5 fers I've seen

 

[sindhiboy]

What are Sri Lanka doing? Horrible batting and horrible shots.
After watching SLPL, and this innings, Mickey Arthur is at a wrong place at wrong time in Sri Lanka cricket.
Some of the shots and running looked very very dodgy, To be honest.

Dom Bess, he will be carted around in India by Rohit and Co, and even Pakistani/Australian batsmen will blow him away. He has a fiver... lol..

I hope the pitches in india are raging turners this time, otherwise the bowlers will annihilated

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

I hope the pitches in india are raging turners this time, otherwise the bowlers will annihilated

Dom Bess reminds a lot of Gavin Robertson, he bowls similar line and loop.
These kinds of bowlers, Rohit will cart him around for sixes for fun. Kohli and Pujara will cover drive him all day.
Some of the shots Sri Lankans played, reverse sweep in test matchs that on a bowl bowled on off stump line, just horrible. Cheap wickets for him.
Normally you reverse sweep on leg stumpish line ball. to avoid LBW and risk factor.
This is just horrible temperament from Sri Lankans, or something is very dodgy.

 

[James]

Disciplined bowling and fielding from England, but mainly just terrible Sri Lanka batting I’m afraid.

That horror dismissal for Matthews, going from a comfortable 81-3 to 4 down and then a huge collapse ensuing afterwards, feels like a big moment in the game right now.

 

[Robert]

Great opportunity for the England batters with no scoreboard pressure.

 

[rollingstoned]

SRL has picked two proper spinner today backed by Hansara, on this Gale track, somehow if they can manage 300 on first innings, they'll win this Test.

you once said that sl and their young players are lacking mentally, particularly their batsmen. i found that to be an issue in saf too. they didn't look like they wanted to spend time out there today. a shame because they do have talent.

 

[Manunited18]

Fantastic start, broad has led the attack admirably, very promising from Bess even though some of the Sri Lankan shot selection was bordering on amateurish

 

[Robert]

Great opportunity for the England batters with no scoreboard pressure.

Oh dear. Extraordinary really - 150/12 in the day?

I have little faith in Bowledstow so hope Root can get out of fifty-and-out mode as the next bloke is a noob, then the keeper and the bowlers....

 

[Amjid Javed]

Great opportunity for the England batters with no scoreboard pressure.

15/2

Lucky they bat all way down with broad at number 11 - who has a test hundred.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

I wish he did have an outswinger, he would be unstoppable now.

What is going on with SL? How are they 130-8 on the first day of a home test against an attack which is workmanlike though not particularly good?

Currently only bowls an inswinger.

SL are without Karunaratne - their best batsman in recent years. They aren't much better with him too to be honest.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

SRL has picked two proper spinner today backed by Hansara, on this Gale track, somehow if they can manage 300 on first innings, they'll win this Test.

I rate Bess and Leach ahead of Perera and embuldeniya.

 

[Robert]

15/2

Lucky they bat all way down with broad at number 11 - who has a test hundred.

Wood and Leach don’t bat much. Wood might smack 20. Leach is at least a sticker even if he doesn’t score. Broad will come in at #9.

 

[ChTab]

SL batting is woefully on a par with pakistans right now.

Pakistan's batting is much better from Srilankan batting, in recently concluded test series vs NZ Batsmen put up decent scores under difficult conditions. SL just got destroyed in their own backyard at 127 runs, don't think that sort of thing will happen to Pakistan in Pakistan or in UAE.

 

[andy0204]

At home, yes he is. But you can't take wickets against SL SL seriously

But since from last 3 years he has a good away record as well.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

But since from last 3 years he has a good away record as well.

Averaged 41 in NZ on his last tour and didnt tour India, Australia or Pakistan/UAE in the time period.

 

[andy0204]

Astonishing first day collapse having won the toss.

This Michelle will give Bess confidence.

Iam not sold on Bess,he also took a bag of wickets against Saffers then got smashed against Windies and Pakistan.
Same thing will happen,he will take a lot of wickets in SL and then he will get smashing in India.

 

[andy0204]

Averaged 41 in NZ on his last tour and didnt tour India, Australia or Pakistan/UAE in the time period.

Did well on 2018 tour though.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Did well on 2018 tour though.

Yes he did. That series had bowler friendly condition Iirc. Didnt boult destroy NZ for england for 50 odd?

The NZ seamers outbowled the English attack then and later , windies quicks were better despite broad bowling well in the Caribbean. He hasn't really stood out imo.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

3 average spinners and a medium pacer. This attack is of a very poor quality. England should whitewash SL comfortanly like they did last time.

 

[silentkiller187]

3 average spinners and a medium pacer. This attack is of a very poor quality. England should whitewash SL comfortanly like they did last time.

England always make a meal of average spinners, especially in the sub continent, will be closer than people think.

 

[Markhor]

SL fighting back after a horror show with the bat. Spinners are always in the game at Galle.

 

[James]

Surprised that Rooooot survived that one, spun like crazy and very lucky that the video review had it bouncing over. Should be out really

 

[Ashmal]

3 average spinners and a medium pacer. This attack is of a very poor quality. England should whitewash SL comfortanly like they did last time.

Eng should win this game but it's not gonna be easy...Eng have to bat last and there's plenty of turn already on Day 1.

 

[Markhor]

Surprised that Rooooot survived that one, spun like crazy and very lucky that the video review had it bouncing over. Should be out really

Embuldeniya tends to get extra bit of bounce so there was a chance it'll go over the stumps with him. Good review.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Eng should win this game but it's not gonna be easy...Eng have to bat last and there's plenty of turn already on Day 1.

Bat last? I dont think England will have to bat more than once here.

 

[Robert]

Iam not sold on Bess,he also took a bag of wickets against Saffers then got smashed against Windies and Pakistan.
Same thing will happen,he will take a lot of wickets in SL and then he will get smashing in India.

He's very young - English spinners don't really mature until their late twenties. He's learning.

 

[HitWicket]

Wood and Leach don’t bat much. Wood might smack 20. Leach is at least a sticker even if he doesn’t score. Broad will come in at #9.

I expect Wood will bat ahead of Broad, wouldn't surprise me if Leach does as well. If Broads just going to clear the front leg and swing most of the time you might as well let those who will try and stick around have a go first.

 

[Robert]

I expect Wood will bat ahead of Broad, wouldn't surprise me if Leach does as well. If Broads just going to clear the front leg and swing most of the time you might as well let those who will try and stick around have a go first.

Ah, but he's doing that with good effect of late. Since his stance became more square he has been scoring again, and got fifty recently. Get him at #9 where he has more time to keep hitting.

 

[Robert]

Come on skipper.

 

[Robert]

Yorkie boys put on a hundred.

Bowledstow showing unexpected stickability.

 

[Markhor]

Perfect first day for England.

 

[MMHS]

I rate Bess and Leach ahead of Perera and embuldeniya.

Dilruhan is good, but Embu is raw. It’s a remarkable decline by SRL overall but particularly in batting. There was a time when at Gale, SRL wins toss and you can only hope for rain ...

 

[Robert]

Root 66!

Hope he carries on tomorrow and sorts out his fifty problem in 2021. He has looked at video footage of each time he got out without converting fifty to hundred to see what the issue is.

 

[MenInG]

 

[Manunited18]

This has been one of the worst 5 fers I've seen

Agree, thought leach was better

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Poor Mickey Arthur, SL batting like Pakistan here

 

[Thunderbolt14]

According to our Expected Wickets model, the deliveries Dom Bess has bowled today would, on average, take 0.18 wickets. -CricViz

)

 

[Mamoon]

SRL has picked two proper spinner today backed by Hansara, on this Gale track, somehow if they can manage 300 on first innings, they'll win this Test.

Mickey is completely out of his depth. He will not get hired by a major team again. His next stop would probably be Nepal or UAE.

 

[sindhiboy]

Quality innings from root, faced all the tricky spin deliveries. He plays spin much better than seam

Bairstow too seems more comfortable with spin

 

[sindhiboy]

According to our Expected Wickets model, the deliveries Dom Bess has bowled today would, on average, take 0.18 wickets. -CricViz

)

As I said. You will seldom see a worse 5 wicket haul. Atleast he bowled one proper wicket taking delivery. Good for him though I guess

 

[lahoriyah1234]

Well Pakistan is not as bad as people are making it out here. Everyone has received a phanti from NZL at home, lets not be too judgemental here.

We are not as bad as WI, Srl, Bangladesh.

We will not get bowled out for 135 at home ground no chance.

Srl are struggling to find a good replacement for Mahala and Sanga for a long time now. Eventually they will become a good team soon.

 

[Majestic_Inzi]

Eng to put up 450 by the looks of it.

What poor performance by sri lanka.