Conversations in Sri Lankan cricket…

Sri Lanka are going a bit mental right now. Performances are rubbish, coaches are getting sacked, captains are sacking themselves and old captains are new captains, for the time being anyway (What? It worked for the West Indies).

This a blog of some of the conversations that may or may not have happened in and around Sri Lankan cricket over the last few years.

I must stress this blog is based 100% on the fact that I had nothing to do today.

World Cup final defeat hits Samaweera hard.

Muralitharan - legendary bowler, s**t bloke...

Give the man some help. Or a hug.

Slingy short-formers.

Herath worried.

Have two better cricketers ever been photographed together, pre hand-clasp, in floodlights? With Thisara Perera in the background?

Confusion.

Herath angry.

Dilshan at his most vulnerable - wearing nothing but a towel, nursing a cup full of tears.

I assume Moody survived. If you can call moving to Perth "surviving".

Herath silly.

*All these conversations happened. Or did they?

No, they didn’t.

South Africa v Australia, 2nd Test, Johannesburg

Day 2

Australia 296 (Hughes 88, Watson 88, Steyn 4-64) lead South Africa 266 by 30 runs

Imran Tahir takes a leaf out of Marco Tardelli's book to celebrate his 2nd Test wicket...

Review
Australia were emphatic in the opening session, with openers Watson and Hughes in full-flow against a surprisingly subdued Proteas attack. Steyn lacked any real cutting edge, while Philander was the pick of the bowlers – the only South African to go for less than five an over with the ball – and Morkel threatened in patches, without being able to string a good spell together. While the pitch offered very little for the bowlers, Smith will be particularly disappointed with Imran Tahir (not that the skipper can remain with his passiveness in the field).

The Pakistani-turned-Saffa (see, they do it as well!) was unable to find his optimum length; either dragging the ball down or throwing in a full-toss or three. As Watson and Hughes went into lunch – both eyeing up over-due hundreds, with the score a comfortable 169-0 (at a rate of 5.12/over) – it was shaping up to be a long day for the hosts.

However, post-lunch play produced a dramatic change of pace, as South Africa fought back with a second session score of 51/4. Jacques Kallis and Philander kept things tight early on, with the former finding some impressive bounce to keep Watson honest and off the front foot. Philander eventually ended the first-wicket partnership – three short of the record at the Wanderers – removing Hughes (88) with the help of first-slip, before Kallis got rid of Watson for the same score thanks to a (surprisingly) brilliant catch from Tahir.

With the wind behind South African sails, Steyn removed Ponting – the former captain failing to trouble the scorers – as those across the world starting penning his obituary (or at the very least updating it). Clarke and Khawaja started to steady the ship, but failed to keep the score ticking along. Frustration set in, as Clarke cut wildly at a steeping Morkel delivery that jagged back ever so slightly, to give AB de Villiers’ his second grab of the day.

Khawaja soon fell lbw to Steyn after tea – elongating his 57-ball 12 with a laughable review – while Morkel seemed to be getting the better of Mike Hussey, who was scoring at a decent rate before he was undone by another swinging delivery from Steyn that clattered into his stumps. Tahir opened his Test account with a double-wicket maiden that disposed of Brad Haddin and Peter Siddle (more on that later) before Mitchell Johnson(38*) freed his arms to crack a few sumptuous boundaries that dragged his side past South Africa’s total and into a 30-run lead. Tahir eventually grabbed his third, thanks to another googly, and South Africa ended the day unscathed after facing four-balls before stumps.

Man of the Day: Dale Steyn (18-3-64-4)
How much better can he get? After a laboured display in the morning – which had me ear-marking Phil Hughes for this section- Steyn was back in the groove after tea, removing Ponting and then Khawaja leg before. He castled Hussey before getting Cummins caught behind, thanks to a brilliant effort from the ageless Boucher, before a moustachioed nobody cost him his 5-for (more on that later). As good as his wickets were, his best ball of the day was a vicious outswinger to Haddin that moved off the surface; never has a ball been so much better than a batsman than the one at 65.2 overs.

Highlight: Imran Tahir 10^th over (W . . . W .)
Disappointing in his brief spell in Cape Town and this morning, Tahir came alive after tea to announce himself on the Test stage. After trapping Haddin in front with a leggie that did not turn quite as much as the keeper-batsman had anticipated, he produced a wonderful googly that left Siddle comletely confused (well, more so than usual).

Lowlight: Watson fails, again.
His failure today to get the 12 extra runs needed for his third – yes, only third – Test hundred was the sixth time that Watson has failed to move from fifty to a hundred in the last year alone. Overall, he has been unable to convert his half-centuries to full ones on 16 occasions and it represents a major issue for the all-rounder. His inability to manoeuvre fielders around – albeit after he has clubbed them back – needs to be addressed if he is going to convince his doubters that he is a Test match batsman, let alone an opener. Absurd given his average and dominating stroke-play…

ORLY Moment:Sub costs Steyn a 17th 5-wicket haul…
A regulation catch at cover was shelled by 13th man Dale Deeb, which would have seen Steyn register yet another 5-for and equal Richard Hadlee’s record as the fastest man to 250 Test-wickets. While Steyn still has the 2nd innings to reach that milestone, Deeb (whose ridiculous surname was matched only by his pitiful Movember exploits) probably won’t be given comfort break cover duties for a while now.

Tomorrow will be a big day for… Jacques Rudolph
With all due respect to county cricket (and bitter), Rudolph would be particularly disappointed if he found himself back in familiar surroundings promoting anything other than Castle lager next summer. After spending the last five years working on his game, the adopted Yorkshireman believes he has become a better player, and he has certainly showed glimpses of that, particularly in South African domestic cricket. But having yet to look completely at ease in Cape Town, or the first innings at the Wanderers, and with Alviro Petersen looking to reclaim his spot alongside Smith, Rudolph will have to show the selectors- at the very least – that they should stick with him for the up-coming series in Sri Lanka.

South Africa v Australia, 2nd Test, Johannesburg

Day 1

South Africa 266 (de Villiers 64, Kallis 54, Siddle 3-69) v Australia

"Just look at his face!" - Barry Davies

Review
After winning the toss and electing to bat, South Africa got off to a relatively tame start, thanks partly to a tight opening spell in Test cricket for Patrick Cummins. The New South Welshman bowled with great control and pace; while Mitchell Johnson was at the other end only providing one of the two (I’m sure you can guess which). That being said Johnson looked better at the ground where he returned match figures of 8-135 in 2009, and removed Graeme Smith – nicking a ball that moved away from him, taken by Michael Clarke at 2^nd slip. Jacques Rudolph looked like he was still getting reacquainted with a former lover; not knowing whether to go in for a hug or a peck on the cheek. In the end, he hung out his blade and Shane Watson tickled it (FYI the analogy stopped at the last full-stop).

It was left to Amla and Kallis to pick up the pieces in the first session as the pair went through past lunch unscathed, in contrasting fashion. While Amla toiled – showing great patience, even wearing a few – Kallis was at his fluent best, punishing Cummins for over-pitching, in a period of South African domination that left Clarke lamenting the temporary loss of Watson’s wicket-probing, after the all-rounder pulled up at the end of his 4^th over with hamstring troubles. Kallis brought up his fifty off 37 balls, with an emphatic six before bringing up 12,000 Test runs with an edged-four two balls later, before bunting Siddle to Khawaja at midwicket, the very next ball. Amla soon followed.

After being peppered with some pacey short-stuff, Cummins threw down a fuller and wider delivery that Amla couldn’t resist. Flashing hard, Ponting did well to cling on and gave the impressive debutant his first wicket, having earlier presented him with his cap.

Ashwell Prince and AB de Villiers took over where Kallis left off, as they milked Nathan Lyon and Johnson, seeing South Africa to 213/4 at tea. De Villiers looked at his imperious best, bringing up his fifty before the interval. Prince brought up his fifty in the evening session, in less that convincing fashion, and it was from here that things took a turn for the worst.

Dancing down the wicket to the benign Lyon, Prince was unable to clear Mitchell Johnson at mid-on. This set off a collapse – modest compared to last week’s exploits, but a collapse none the less – which saw South Africa lose four wickets for as many runs. Ill-judged pull shots led to the demise of de Villiers (64) and Boucher (3), while Philander’s footwork to a slow turning Lyon’s delivery was embarrassing.

Steyn and Morkel slapped and schlepped, respectively, before Michael Clarke snared Morkel and Tahir thanks to close catches from Watson (who had returned earlier to allow him to open the batting) and Phil Hughes (bouyed by Watson’s return. Probably – he always looks glum, it’s always so hard to tell).

A collapse of 25/6 represents a missed opportunity for the Proteas to bat themselves to a series victory early on in this match, and a shift in momentum towards Australia.

Man of the Day: AB de Villiers 64 (97 balls)
Kallis pushes the singer-songwriter close with his quick-fire 54; the fearless nature of which characterised by his treatment of Nathan Lyon the over before lunch (greeting him with a four, before planting him in the stands three balls later). But de Villiers’ knock was reserved and then fluent, with flourishes of brilliance. In only his second first class game of the season – due in part to injury – he looked in good touch; his back-foot cover-drive off Cummins was picture perfect.

Highlight: Michael Clarke’s captaincy
Clarke’s unpopularity is a drum so amateurishly beaten (hell, I’ve done it) that it wouldn’t be out of place on a White Stripes LP. His leadership, so far, cannot have too many detractors; a fantastic 151 in Cape Town was dismissed as useless after Australia’s 47 all out in a frank and honest post-mortem. Today he exhibited more leading qualities after deciding not to scurry out of the fading light, taking the ball himself and finishing the job. Had he not done so, there would have been a good chance that play would not have restarted till tomorrow morning. Steyn and Morkel could have quite easily rode their luck early on Day 2 and taken South Africa past 300. In a match that could see neither side pass 400, the 50 or so runs that Clarke – arguably – saved could prove decisive.

Lowlight: Advertising board stops play
13 minutes! 13 minutes wasted after tea for a revolving ad-board that wouldn’t, well, revolve. In the end, a curtain – which looked to have had a past life as Godzilla’s kleenex – was unfolded, only for one of the rings to be stuck in the pelmet. See, this is why people have blinds…

ORLY Moment: Robin Jackman has an “American Beauty” moment
A sunny day at the Wanderers brought out the best of nature and the softness of Jackers, who became mesmerised by a butterfly on a good length; “My word, just look at the colours -  a beautiful butterfly in slow-motion. What a lovely sight!” Suffice to say Keppler was nonplussed.

Tomorrow will be a big day for… Ricky Ponting
The twilight form of Kallis, Dravid, Laxman and Tendulkar, while adding to their legend, will ultimately leave us with fresh memories of their brilliance. When you look at those that have left the game in the last decade, very few – if any – have been shunted out. As much as that is down to their value – both actually and hypothetically (i.e. Flintoff) – selectors and fans will find it difficult to argue against the notion that these players were allowed to step out on their own terms after the years of service for their country, and cricket itself. Worryingly, the same cannot be said of Ponting. A third Ashes defeat at the beginning of the year set off a flurry of requests for his resignation as captain and retirement from the international stage. The first was granted, but the second has yet to come through, but there is every possibility that failure tomorrow will mean he could lose the right to instigate retirement himself.

Ponting *is* one of the greatest batsmen of his era, there can be no debating that. But our memories of him will always be tarnished with his three Ashes defeats, the (perceived) ease of leading one of the greatest sides to play the game, and the fact that he’s very disagreeable. Punter needs runs, and only big runs will do.

The Mistreatment and Exploitation of Test cricket

For the last few years, Test cricket has been treated like an endangered species. Talk has centred on the need to preserve it, to treat it with care – save it from extinction. On occasions, when the longer form of the game has thrilled and excited us, it is shoved down our throats, just to make sure we’ve got no room for dessert, no matter how sweet.

“You can’t get that kind of entertainment elsewhere” they say. And they’re right.

But we know that, hence why we were watching and/or reading about it. Whenever I see a report, feature, blog – even tweet- that contains some mention of Test cricket’s pomp and grace, I can’t help but feel it’s a little forced, just so we remember just how lucky we are to have it. Whenever I hear it, my thoughts immediately turn to the plight of the Panda (and what have they done since that video of one of ‘em sneezing?).

Let’s face facts – Test cricket is older than you and I. It has been an arena for so much and so many that we hold dear to us that – as cricket fans – we’d happily sacrifice ODIs, Twenty20 and maybe even ourselves to salvage it. For most of us, our cricketing memories were born out of a compelling passage of play that occurred within a 5-day battle; a flamboyant century, a devastating 5-for, a see-sawing session, a battling spell or an unplayable delivery. One day cricket builds fondness, but Test cricket breeds love. Twenty20 elicits the kind of affection that wouldn’t be out of place on a stag-do (albeit with more people in fancy dress).

Luckily for us mere mortals, the noises from those in charge (and those who aren’t but should be) seem to echo our sentiments. Not a week goes by without a player, ex-player, selector or board member being asked about their views on Test cricket and, whether they choose to toe a pre-prepared line, or genuinely believe it to be true, they are all for sustaining it. And for most of the time we are inclined to believe them. They wouldn’t lie to us, would they?

In July 2008, it was announced that future Test series between England and South Africa would be awarded “Icon status”, which means that the two sides will be able to play up to five matches against each other in any given series. This decision was initially brought about by Cricket South Africa and the ECB, with eventual support from the ICC. While five Test matches weren’t a necessity in the agreement (there were only four in the 2009/10 series, which ended 1-1), it was merely an official way of recognising the on-going development of both countries as cricketing forces.

As ECB chief executive David Collier put it: “ECB warmly welcomes the invitation to play five Test matches and three one-day internationals in South Africa on our next tour. ECB has consistently stated that Test matches are the pinnacle of world cricket and this agreement demonstrates our commitment to that principle.”

Three years on, with England on top of the world Test rankings, and the South African side (2^nd) awash with genuine world-class talent in every department, only three Tests are scheduled for the summer of 2012. While the Olympics provide a valid excuse, it’s worth pointing out that only the 3^rd and final Test at Headingly (2 – 6 August) clashes with the Olympics. With the five ODIs and three T20s against the Proteas following them, then why not start the series earlier? It makes sense given that the international summer will finish two weeks earlier than usual (12^th September) to allow both sides to prepare for the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in Sri Lanka, which starts six days later.

However – inexcusably – the ECB have scheduled five further one day games against Australia, sandwiched into the middle of the South Africa series and an early summer series against the West Indies. Just to give you an indication of how shoe-horned this series is, Australia play 5 games against England in the space of 13 days. Sorry what’s that? They’re also playing Ireland in an almost certainly rained-off ODI fixture? Oh why didn’t you say so – it all makes perfect sense now…

I attended the 5^th ODI at Lord’s, on Australia’s last fleeting visit to the UK in 2010. I remember it not for the entertainment – Paul Collingwood blocked his way to a dogged 95 off 148 balls in a futile run chase that saw every block met with boos from England supporters in our section – but for the rather arduous nature of it all (for once, not Colly’s fault). Taking a straw-poll of those around me, reasons for attending ranged from “It’s an excuse to come to Lord’s” to, “Well it’s basically Ashes-lite”.

It’s the latter that really stuck with me. England weren’t playing Australia because they happened to be borrowing our grounds for a few games against Pakistan. They were milking a cash-cow.

I remember Ian Botham describing the series as a great chance for those who can’t afford to go to Australia, or even Tests over here, to see England play the old enemy; the chance to get that genuine Ashes experience.  The only thing “Ashes” about it was the £95 dent it left in my wallet.

The ECB do well to paint the picture of bastions of the purity of the game against the evils of the ICC and BCCI, but it’s apparent that the extra wads of cash that summer didn’t go unnoticed. In the Ashes, they (and Cricket Australia) have a salient product that they are more than willing to squeeze the juice out of, without any shame.  Sound familiar?

Inexplicably, Australia and South Africa are set to start a paltry two-match series in the next week; under the ICC’s Future Tours Programme, this is the shortest a Test series can be. Originally scheduled for three Tests (the same amount as those in the 2008 & 2009 series between the two) but was reduced to two due to clashes with the Champions League T20, which concluded today in India.

While a four-Test series has been promised for the next time the two cross paths, it is a slap in the face for the Test loving public after the brilliance of the 2008/09 campaigns. As far as standard of cricket played and competitiveness, the three Tests in Australia formed arguably the most complete series since the 2005 Ashes.

Now with an unsatisfying two Tests – it will be the first series between the two where there are as many T20s as Test matches. There will be no narrative, or suspense; we will inevitably be left unfulfilled, if not empty.

There is no doubt that Test cricket will stand the test of time. But in being unable to stand up for itself, it is already being mistreated by those entrusted to protect it, in this cricketing circus we now find ourselves in.

In England, Tests are now being paraded around grounds that are ill-equipped to cope with its needs, while in other countries, it is wheeled out for a handful of pitiful appearances – poked and prodded – before being left in a grotty cage to stew it its own filth, as the kids turn their attention towards the rabid histrionics of its more active underlings.

Do your bit to preserve and protect Test and First Class cricket around the world by signing this online petition http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/testingtimes and following them on Twitter and Facebook.  

Stuart Broad makes me say ridiculous things. This is another one…

Last Friday, I did one of the most embarrassing things I have ever done in the 25 years that I have graced this planet. I said a wrong on the Twitter.

It was small, innocuous wrong, but a wrong nonetheless. For a second I thought I had gotten away with it. “What’s the harm? It’ll only get buried in amongst my 140-character nuggets of self-righteous insight and humorous observations on everyday life. I’m like that ‘Mock the Week’ style sheeeeet.”

Alas, it was not to be as two of my followers (i.e. people I know in real life who follow me out of courtesy) jumped on my deeply flawed twonk and buried it deeper than Trott’s leg-stump guard.

“@Vitu_E: Never understood why Swann bats below Broad. Opens the batting for Notts in limited overs (when he plays)”

To be honest, I don’t even know why I tweetled it. Soon after, I deleted it, knowing full well how wrong I was. Even without this knock today, I know I was wrong. Fundamentally.

Stats alone show that Broad is a superior Test batsman, with his 1 hundred and 6 fifties trumping Swann’s four 50s (negligible difference in batting averages & runs scored given the discrepancy between number of innings they have both played). Even aesthetically (matron), Broad’s superiority is clear to see.

While Swann swings through the line, Broad stands tall – high elbowed – punishing width and crunching the odd short ball in front of square with aplomb. His 74* as part of a brilliant 162-run partnership with Matt Prior displayed all of this. A classy, accomplished innings. But why did I spout such garbage before it?

The truth is, Stuart Broad made me. He made me do it all.

Like school girls across the UK, he makes me feel things. Special feelings that I never thought I’d feel for a cricketer. Sometimes I love him. When he’s Ashes ’09 Stuart Broad – strong, quick, full – he is an asset to any side in the world.

Other times he can be really quite garish; growling in the field when things are not going his way, like that goblin or elf bloke from The Twilight films. I bet Steve the goblin/elf from The Twilight wouldn’t shout at Kevin Pietersen for throwing the ball for four.

I bet Steve the goblin/elf from The Twilight doesn’t think that UDRS was invented solely for his benefit.

I bet Steve the goblin/elf from The Twilight doesn’t appeal with his back to the umpire.

"... and then the fisherman says, 'No, it was *this* big!'"

Today showed me how wrong I was. Many thought Tim Bresnan ought to have played at Lord’s; his 4 for 50 in the 2^nd innings of the Roses match on Thursday leading some to question the decision of Andy & Andrew to release him back up North.

But after finally clicking with the ball this summer, Broad is slowly finding his way back to his best, and what better time to do it than in the 1^st of four Tests against the No.1 ranked side in the world.

As he celebrated Prior’s hundred, the feelings came flooding back. I don’t mean to say such horrible things, Stuey, I really don’t. But sometimes you make me so angry that I forget why we all fell for you in the first place.

Now I see the error of my ways, and I do hope you can forgive me for being so erroneously flippant. I’m ready to take you back and I want to give this a real go; for real this time. No messing about.

My friends say I’m crazy and that too much has been said, but they don’t know you like I do.

Yours sporadically,

Vithushan xx

England v Sri Lanka, 2nd Test, Lord’s

Day 4

England 486 and 149 for 2 (Cook 61*, Pietersen 15*) lead Sri Lanka 479 (Dilshan 193, Paranavitana 65, Finn 4-108) by 156 runs

 

Rangana Herath hoiks Graeme Swann for 6 over mid-wicket. Alastair Cook can't bare to watch...

Review
Despite losing half the day to rain, north London saw enough cricket to leave the 5^th day tantalisingly poised. OK, maybe not that tantalising but, depending on the intent of the Sri Lankan bowlers/attacking nature of England’s batsmen & captain, we could have a very interesting day’s play on our hands (and for only £20!). Strauss’ dismissal in only the 2^nd ball of the England innings wasn’t ideal (though he should escape criticism given the class of the Welegedara delivery) but Trott and Cook did what Trott and Cook do; they pair put on 117 in 26 overs – their 5^th century stand in Test cricket. Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka’s batsmen seemed to have been struck with a similar bug that brought about their demise in Cardiff; weather delays bringing about a yearning for the comforts of the dressing room, as seven wickets fell for only 86 runs. Both wickets and runs were brought about in reckless fashion – with exceptions being Prasanna Jayawardene’s timing and England’s much improved bowling – and Sri Lanka could come to rue such an irresponsible display with the bat (bear in mind Dilshan may not be able to bat tomorrow). Tremlett bowled very well, while Broad looked quick and fired up. Swann was ruthless against the tail, taking nothing for granted and Steven Finn became the youngest England bowler to reach 50 wickets. He looked a lot better today and roughed up Saranga Lakmal – cracking the bowler’s helmet in the process – but still needs to work on his game if he doesn’t want to be milked by the more seasoned Indian batsmen. As a collective, 58 extras was bad for any Test side, let alone one gunning to be top of the tree. 

Man of the Day: Jonathan Trott 58 (75 balls)
A lot has been written about JT’s scoring rate and scoring areas, and you could tell that Sri Lanka had been reading all of it; Sangakkara (stand-in captain for the injured Dilshan) greeted Trott’s arrival to the middle with three catchers on the leg-side. Trott responded, at first, with some tentative prods outside off, before hitting his straps with some flowing on-drives that even had Bob Willis purring (shudder). He’ll be disappointed to get out as he did, but it was probably one of his best half-centuries. 

Highlight: Rangana Herath v Stuart Broad
The new Atherton v Donald. It was brilliant to watch; pint-sized, chubby, left-arm funster against meterosexual, lanky, pin-up. Short-ball from Broad was followed up with a few words, clearly not impressed by the little man’s cavalier attitude. Herath looked confused; partly because of the language barrier and partly because he just has one of those faces (facial features too close together + square head = permanently confused expression). He eventually steered a steeping delivery to fine-leg for a single, and the two indulged in another exchange. I smell a sitcom…

Lowlight: Floodlights stop play
It’s as ridiculous as it sounds. I don’t even know where to begin with this one, but to say that to take the players off when the floodlights are in full effect is surely a slap in the face of day-night Tests?

O’RLY Moment
Beefy going mad for the above. I agreed whole-heartedly with his angst, but it was still pretty funny to hear him flip out as if the umpires had decided to urinate on his couch instead of leave the field of play for, what turned out to be only 10 minutes. I’m all for passion, but Botham’s derision of anything that doesn’t go EXACTLY as he wants will soon turn him into cricket’s Brian Moore. 

KP Watch
The cheers that greeted the defence of Herath’s opening two deliveries to KP were as drenched in sarcasm as they were in relief. An England side without Kevin Pietersen against India is a significantly weaker one, not to mention that his axing from the Test-side could bring an end to “KP, England Cricketer”, and finally bring us the much anticipated monster that is “KP the Freelance Cricketer”. Unscathed over night, he has the chance to bat away those media sharks (for now) and help England set Sri Lanka a competitive total, to show that they at least have the amibition of the best Test side in the world…

Tomorrow will be a big day for… Billy Doctrove & Rod Tucker
Reduced ticket prices, coupled with the events of the final day at Cardiff, will ensure a decent crowd at Lord’s tomorrow. But what effect will this have on Billy Doctrove and Rod Tucker? Clearly a tad embarrassed at coming off and returning in such a short space of time, there will be a lot of pressure on them to ensure that spectators get the most out of their day tomorrow. What will happen if the similar circumstances that “forced” them to go off today occur tomorrow when the result of the game hangs in the balance? Obviously this point is redundant should it fizzle out into a draw, but it will throw up many issues that the ICC need to address. A common remark leveled at football referees is that they should take into account the magnitude of the match they are officiating before making a potentially “game-changing” decision; an appreciation of the immediate and subsequent effect of said decision. Such rationale is illogical as it almost certainly involves disregarding certain laws of the game which, contrary to popular Andy Gray-esque belief, are not up for interpretation.

There is, however, a huge grey area over the use of flood-lights in Test cricket and the consideration given to the difference between batting in natural and artificial light. The fact of the matter is they were as right to go off yesterday as they would have been to stay on and continue playing. Depending how events transpire tomorrow, the onus will be very much on the umpires to keep the game alive; gamesmanship will no doubt play its part, as the struggling side will look for a similar decision tomorrow by pointing to the events of today. But if cricket, and subsequently the fans, are to be the real winner, then the power is with the umpires to make it so. Let’s hope they choose to use it…

England v Sri Lanka, 2nd Test, Lord’s

Day 1

England 342 for 6 (Prior 73*, Broad 17*) v Sri Lanka

 

 

Eoin Morgan goes big. Prasanna Jayawardene... has a clean jumper?

Review
Many questioned Sri Lanka’s choice to stick England in on a glorious day at Lord’s. As Kevin Pietersen departed, with the score at 22/3 after 8 overs, the decision looked vindicated; at the close of play it went back to being questionable. After such a bright start, which included the wicket of unnecessarily maligned Jonathan Trott, Sri Lanka seemed to take their foot off the gas and allow Alastair Cook and Ian Bell to go about their business a little too easily. Chef looked to have successfully navigated the Lord’s slope, but missed out on an 18^th Test hundred, trying to pull a ball which was there to be steered. Bell hit a patient, yet classy 52; KP’s failure will lead many to flirt with the notion of dropping him but, while the thought seems puerile, the replacement is more than ready, willing and able. Morgan’s 79 was fearless and very well timed (and paced) and together with Matt Prior, the two bossed the long evening session, which took its toll on the Sri Lankan bowlers. Slow over-rates earlier in the day meant an elongated third session, which drained the energy and enthusiasm (well, what enthusiasm there was) from the bowlers. Welegedera started solidly but offered up at least one bad ball an over. Lakmal held a consistent length (but strayed at times), and was always willing, whether with ball or in pursuit of it (unsuccessfully). Fernando was quick yet innocuous; Herath was only one of the two. Maharoof was there as well, apparently.

Man of the Day: Eoin Morgan
He came in at 130/4 – a make or break time in the innings – and played his part in 71 and 101 run partnerships for the 5^th and 6^th wicket respectively (the latter coming in only 20 overs). While some would have taken a more reserved approach, Morgan played his natural, confident game and never looked perturbed by the matter at hand. Cook scored more runs, Prior (73) flourished with a strike rate of 87.95, but Morgan stepped up and showed he is a more than capable replacement for Paul Collingwood, adding style to required resilience.

Highlight: Morgan’s first 6 off Herath.
At 141/4, with the field in and Sri Lanka sensing another wicket, Morgan danced down the track and eased Herath over long on, as if it was the most mundane of tasks he had to carry out that day. Even as you watched him size it up, you trusted him totally – and you were right to. Sumptuous.

Lowlight: Sri Lanka’s negativity to the left-handers
Cook & Morgan’s stint in the middle brought about a confusing approach from Lakmal and Maharoof, who  towed an arduously wide line. It wasn’t fun to watch and meant we had to endure the gyre and gimble of Sir Ian. Much like him, it was wide and not very handsome…

O’RLY Moment
Bumble hit on some women. They were sun-burnt and old – it was weird…

KP Watch
It’s at times like these that I realise I harbour so much empathy for someone that, in every day interaction, I would have nothing but disdain for. As a person, I don’t really have too much sympathy for him, but I am very much of the opinion that I have no right to be invested in his life outside of a cricket square; I’m even ambivalent to his fielding inanities. This time last year I was lucky enough to interview KP; words cannot describe how nervous I was. Yet he was brash, rude and arrogant – but exactly what I wanted from a talented, yet frustrated England no.4. Though not what I sought from a hero. But then again, why should he be my hero? Sure there was self-belief but, worryingly, dissatisfaction. Today I saw a man who had read the papers; a man who believed the fable about the left-arm spinner. A man who sought refuge from the portly Herath; “Must score runs against the bland right-armer.” KP is supposedly one who believes his hype, so why wouldn’t he believe the cold, hard truths? No! You’re better than that. This won’t be your last test, but by the beard of Zeus you are failing ever closer to it – you brilliant prick.

Tomorrow will be a big day for… Steve Finn
Prior’s fifth Test hundred/ selfless innings (delete as applicable) will leave Sri Lanka with the best part of a day to impose themselves on this Test. Dernbach is wet (and probably inked) behind the ears, yet the fact that Finn was by no means a shoe-in says a lot about how indifferent selectors are to the tree-like pretty boy. Finn’s talents are undeniable  (careful), yet his position is by no means a certainty (See 2010/11 Ashes series). Tremlett and Broad can rest on their lofty laurels, but for now Finn’s guile is worth more than his gargantuan gaunt guise.

Yes, this post was sponsored by the Jabberwocky…