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England (421 & 76/3) defeat Sri Lanka (135 & 359) by 7 wickets to win the 1st Test
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Sibley was getting bogged down against spinners last summer even on English pitches.
James
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This is painful to watch.
England may or may not limp home.
England may or may not limp home.
Nikhil_cric
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Why 39 year old dilruwan perera is even playing is beyond me.
Manunited18
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Same England don't normally do well in india but I'm really confident this time
James
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Bairstow appears to be batting with a cocktail stick.
Rana
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Looks like SL have found their new Herath
Manunited18
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We have to put Bess 3-100 and leach 5-120 in to perspective, this is a minefield
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Nikhil_cric
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SL have produced the biggest rank turners in Asia in the last decade. Indian pitches have spun the least by comparison.
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It's just beautiful to watch Embuldeniya bowl like this. High-class spin bowling, batsmen haven't got a clue.
Saurav
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England got this.
MOM Bess
MOM Bess
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Just imagine Ashwin, Jadeja and Kuldeep on this wicket on day 5. 
Eng won by 31 runs, innings and 159 runs ,60 runs and 118 runs. That is a phainta
James
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Very, very slowly getting there.
Nikhil_cric
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What does that have to do with this post?
DeadBall
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This Lawrence guy looks calm and collected.
Robert
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41 to win.
Robert
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Bonus! Four leg byes, 37 to win.
James
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Half way home.
Manunited18
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Absolute mine field now
shaz619
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Seems like Leach/Bess have ended Mo’s career as 1st/2nd choice spinner.
Lawrence is a great find, good to see Root find some form as well
Lawrence is a great find, good to see Root find some form as well
Robert
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That was hardly a battering!
Except at Lords, we made them sweat up all the way to the final sessions. Let's see how many sessions this England team wins in India.
Ah, losing 1-4 is a moral victory then?
Manunited18
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Not sure really , looking at the Lanka spinners this looks a minefield and leach and Bess went for to many on this, also India are quite comfortably the best players of spin in the world, they've made a good spinner like Lyon look ordinary in Australia
Mesozoic
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When did I claim that?
He struggles against left arm spin.
Eng should just make sure he doesn't come near jadeja
sweep_shot
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Just 36 more runs to go. England should win but you never know.
Disappointing performance from SL though.
Disappointing performance from SL though.
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Actually SL came back very well. I expected an inninga defeat but good fightback from them.
sweep_shot
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I meant overall.
They shouldn't have been in this position in the first place. This is a ground where they used to manhandle opponents.
Old SL probably would've crushed England at home.
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Manunited18
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England have done well in Sri Lanka in the past .
Majestic_Inzi
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Another 50 they might have won.
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England faltered in the chase of 74, losing their top three with only 14 runs on the board, after bowling out Sri Lanka for 359 on day four in Galle.
SCORECARD
With a target of less than 100 to scale, England were expected to sail through but a sudden flurry of wickets at the start kept the lid on the visitors' scoring rate. Lasith Embuldeniya drew first blood for Sri Lanka in the first over of England's innings, knocking over Dom Sibley's stumps.
The Sri Lanka spinners troubled the England batsmen with their sharp turns and Embuldeniya was rewarded with another wicket when he dismissed Zak Crawley (8) in the fifth over, making him edge to Kusal Mendis at gully. With both openers back in the hut, England needed to play cautiously but a poor decision from Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root pegged them back further. The duo went for a tight single and Niroshan Dickwella raced towards short cover and aimed at the stumps to catch Root well short of the crease at the striker's end.
Dan Lawrence and Jonny Bairstow take England to 38/3 at stumps on day four.
Earlier in the day on 156/2, Sri Lanka looked to continue their solid batting display with Thirimanne on 76*. Dom Bess, who had taken a five-for in the first innings, struck straightaway getting nightwatchman Embuldeniya out for a duck. Thirimanne then combined with the experienced Mathews to lead Sri Lanka's charge.
The duo played their shots but refrained from taking any unnecessary risks. Their half-century stand helped the hosts to reduce the deficit to under 100. In the process, Thirimanne brought up his second Test ton. His first one had come way back in 2013, also in Galle, against Bangladesh.
England's spinners Leach and Bess did little to trouble the Sri Lankan batsmen, who made the most of the scoring opportunities that came their way.
However, England received a major boost with the second new ball when Sam Curran dismissed the set Thirimanne for 111 as the batsman got an inside edge while defending a ball that dipped in. Captain Dinesh Chandimal, who walked in next, struggled to get going but did add quick runs to take the hosts to 242/4 at lunch.
His resistance came to an end soon after Sri Lanka resumed the second session with Bess providing the breakthrough as Root pouched a sharp low catch at the first slip. Mathews was then joined by Dickwella at the crease and together the pair looked to frustrate the England bowlers.
The visiting bowlers bowled long spells without giving away too many runs but were left wicket-less for half of the second session. Mathews and Dickwella managed to get rid of the first innings deficit but with half their side gone, they did not have the luxury of taking too many risks.
Bess came into the attack to give yet another breakthrough, as Dickwella edged one to the keeper for a 74-ball 29. Leach at the other end then dismissed the newcomer Dasun Shanaka (4), disturbing his stumps with a sharply spinning delivery. Meanwhile, Mathews completed his 36th fifty in Tests just before the tea break.
The hosts looked to fatten their lead of 16 runs in the third session with Angelo Mathews leading the charge. After Wanindu Hasaranga's quick departure, Mathews and Dilruwan Perera took on the England bowlers and upped the scoring rate. But the search for quick runs proved fatal for both batsmen. Jack Leach first enticed Dilruwan (24) to come forward as Jos Buttler effected his first stumping in Test cricket. Mathews failed to last much longer and fell to Leach three overs later for a fighting 71, setting England a target of 74.
Leach finished as England's top wicket-taker in the innings with a five-for (5/122).
SCORECARD
With a target of less than 100 to scale, England were expected to sail through but a sudden flurry of wickets at the start kept the lid on the visitors' scoring rate. Lasith Embuldeniya drew first blood for Sri Lanka in the first over of England's innings, knocking over Dom Sibley's stumps.
The Sri Lanka spinners troubled the England batsmen with their sharp turns and Embuldeniya was rewarded with another wicket when he dismissed Zak Crawley (8) in the fifth over, making him edge to Kusal Mendis at gully. With both openers back in the hut, England needed to play cautiously but a poor decision from Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root pegged them back further. The duo went for a tight single and Niroshan Dickwella raced towards short cover and aimed at the stumps to catch Root well short of the crease at the striker's end.
Dan Lawrence and Jonny Bairstow take England to 38/3 at stumps on day four.
Earlier in the day on 156/2, Sri Lanka looked to continue their solid batting display with Thirimanne on 76*. Dom Bess, who had taken a five-for in the first innings, struck straightaway getting nightwatchman Embuldeniya out for a duck. Thirimanne then combined with the experienced Mathews to lead Sri Lanka's charge.
The duo played their shots but refrained from taking any unnecessary risks. Their half-century stand helped the hosts to reduce the deficit to under 100. In the process, Thirimanne brought up his second Test ton. His first one had come way back in 2013, also in Galle, against Bangladesh.
England's spinners Leach and Bess did little to trouble the Sri Lankan batsmen, who made the most of the scoring opportunities that came their way.
However, England received a major boost with the second new ball when Sam Curran dismissed the set Thirimanne for 111 as the batsman got an inside edge while defending a ball that dipped in. Captain Dinesh Chandimal, who walked in next, struggled to get going but did add quick runs to take the hosts to 242/4 at lunch.
His resistance came to an end soon after Sri Lanka resumed the second session with Bess providing the breakthrough as Root pouched a sharp low catch at the first slip. Mathews was then joined by Dickwella at the crease and together the pair looked to frustrate the England bowlers.
The visiting bowlers bowled long spells without giving away too many runs but were left wicket-less for half of the second session. Mathews and Dickwella managed to get rid of the first innings deficit but with half their side gone, they did not have the luxury of taking too many risks.
Bess came into the attack to give yet another breakthrough, as Dickwella edged one to the keeper for a 74-ball 29. Leach at the other end then dismissed the newcomer Dasun Shanaka (4), disturbing his stumps with a sharply spinning delivery. Meanwhile, Mathews completed his 36th fifty in Tests just before the tea break.
The hosts looked to fatten their lead of 16 runs in the third session with Angelo Mathews leading the charge. After Wanindu Hasaranga's quick departure, Mathews and Dilruwan Perera took on the England bowlers and upped the scoring rate. But the search for quick runs proved fatal for both batsmen. Jack Leach first enticed Dilruwan (24) to come forward as Jos Buttler effected his first stumping in Test cricket. Mathews failed to last much longer and fell to Leach three overs later for a fighting 71, setting England a target of 74.
Leach finished as England's top wicket-taker in the innings with a five-for (5/122).
Robert
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Crawley got 267 against a side with Yasir Shah in it.
crawley also got 100 in the warm up again prior to covid delaying the tour
Amjid Javed
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Sri lanka will be kicking themselves for the poor effort with bat in 1st inns. If they had 174 runs to play with instead of 74 they might have pulled off a win. England should scrape home from here.
I misquoted. I wanted to quote Mesozic's post
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Robert
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Well done England.
Runs for the skipper, Buttler kept well, and the spinners bowled gradually better in SL’s second dig.
It was good that SL fought harder in the second half of the match and exposed England’s weak spots - another batting collapse, a green spin attack and some average fielding.
Runs for the skipper, Buttler kept well, and the spinners bowled gradually better in SL’s second dig.
It was good that SL fought harder in the second half of the match and exposed England’s weak spots - another batting collapse, a green spin attack and some average fielding.
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If England can win/ draw the series in India then they will qualify for WTC finals.
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England took 1-0 series lead with a seven-wicket win in the first Test against Sri Lanka, gaining crucial points in the ICC World Test Championship.
The visitors stuttered at the start but eventually managed to scale the paltry target of 74, going 1-0 up in the series.
Needing 36 on the final day, the duo of Jonny Bairstow (35*) and Dan Lawrence (21*) shared an unbeaten half-century stand to take England home within the first hour on day five. Lawrence survived a couple of close calls at the beginning but the Sri Lanka bowlers did little to disturb the pair's rhythm.
With the victory, England gained 60 points, in the World Test Championship table. They are still fourth on the list and will eagerly await the result of the fourth Australia v India Test.
Sri Lanka, who had opted to bat first, were thoroughly outplayed in the first innings as they capitulated for 135. Dom Bess was the wrecker-in-chief in the first innings as he claimed his second five-wicket haul in Tests. In response, England were terrific with the bat, scoring 421 in the first innings.
Their captain Joe Root led from the front, scoring his fourth double ton in Tests. Debutant Lawrence also impressed with a well-made 73.
Sri Lanka showed more resolve in the second innings and fought back admirably. Their openers Kusal Perera and Lahiru Thirimanne shared a 101-run stand. Kusal made 62, while Thirimanne slammed a patient 111. The experienced Angelo Mathews also chipped in with a hard-fought 71.
However, England's huge first-innings lead meant that Sri Lanka had a mountain to scale and could only add 73 more before getting bowled out for 359. Jack Leach picked up five wickets, while Bess added another three to his match tally.
Chasing 74, the visitors faltered in the final hour on day four when they lost their top-order cheaply. However, Bairstow and Lawrence ensured England did not lose any more wickets to seem them safely home.
Joe Root was named the Player of the Match for his first innings knock of 228, his second double-century against Sri Lanka.
The teams will face off in the second Test, also in Galle, starting on Friday, 22 January.
The visitors stuttered at the start but eventually managed to scale the paltry target of 74, going 1-0 up in the series.
Needing 36 on the final day, the duo of Jonny Bairstow (35*) and Dan Lawrence (21*) shared an unbeaten half-century stand to take England home within the first hour on day five. Lawrence survived a couple of close calls at the beginning but the Sri Lanka bowlers did little to disturb the pair's rhythm.
With the victory, England gained 60 points, in the World Test Championship table. They are still fourth on the list and will eagerly await the result of the fourth Australia v India Test.
Sri Lanka, who had opted to bat first, were thoroughly outplayed in the first innings as they capitulated for 135. Dom Bess was the wrecker-in-chief in the first innings as he claimed his second five-wicket haul in Tests. In response, England were terrific with the bat, scoring 421 in the first innings.
Their captain Joe Root led from the front, scoring his fourth double ton in Tests. Debutant Lawrence also impressed with a well-made 73.
Sri Lanka showed more resolve in the second innings and fought back admirably. Their openers Kusal Perera and Lahiru Thirimanne shared a 101-run stand. Kusal made 62, while Thirimanne slammed a patient 111. The experienced Angelo Mathews also chipped in with a hard-fought 71.
However, England's huge first-innings lead meant that Sri Lanka had a mountain to scale and could only add 73 more before getting bowled out for 359. Jack Leach picked up five wickets, while Bess added another three to his match tally.
Chasing 74, the visitors faltered in the final hour on day four when they lost their top-order cheaply. However, Bairstow and Lawrence ensured England did not lose any more wickets to seem them safely home.
Joe Root was named the Player of the Match for his first innings knock of 228, his second double-century against Sri Lanka.
The teams will face off in the second Test, also in Galle, starting on Friday, 22 January.
Robert
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England have won their last four overseas tests for the first time since Len Hutton was skipper, and are unbeaten in their last nine.
Nikhil_cric
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Are you sure about the 2nd part of your statement?
Robert
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Let me qualify - unbeaten in the last nine with Root as skipper. WI won the test where Stokes was stand-in skipper.
Nikhil_cric
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Haha, you just want England to pick him
Don't think there is an England spinner who can guarantee success in India against India. Our typical pitches won't offer this much turn.
Robert
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So packer wickets? That’s England’s strength.
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Valiant effort with the bat in the 2nd innings and with the ball at the start of England's chase, but not many teams are going to score 135 in the first innings of a Test and win
Nikhil_cric
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Packer wickets? Lol. England are strong on pitches that seam a bit and with a Dukes ball in hand. You will most likely get the wickets you got last time.
Which means , if our team is at full strength and fitness, I dont expect English bowlers, pacers or spinners,to have any impact.
Robert
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Faster wickets. Darned phone autocorrect.
I have no recall of what they were like last time. I would like bouncy wickets to help Broad, Wood and Archer.
Nikhil_cric
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Last time you got mostly flat wickets with a bit of turn but nothing like what we have seen in SL.
Robert
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Right, slow turners then, of the type traditional to India.
James
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Not that I think we’ll be whitewashed and beaten out of sight in India or anything; but after seeing some of the cracks in our side that appeared towards the end of this match, I do worry that we will get edged out by a strong Indian team over the course of a full series. Even with the world-class Stokes coming back.
Don’t get me wrong. I am impressed. Any overseas side winning a Test match in the Subcontinent is a big deal. It is a gruelling task that usually takes the full five days. It isn’t easy, and this was a big win, with loads of positives to take. It was just.... also quite a flawed win.
Don’t get me wrong. I am impressed. Any overseas side winning a Test match in the Subcontinent is a big deal. It is a gruelling task that usually takes the full five days. It isn’t easy, and this was a big win, with loads of positives to take. It was just.... also quite a flawed win.
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