ENGLAND V SRI LANKA 3RD TEST DEC 18TH TO DEC 22ND

I know its a bit of a cliche but the cricket almost becomes secondary to the occasion in the 3rd test at Galle which is staging its first match since the devastation of the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004.

The England team have quite rightly made no complaints about the state of the pitch and the stadium facilities which may not quite be ready in time for the first days play and are just concentrating on the bigger picture.Day 1, England (making one change, Matthew Hoggard in for Broad) elect to bowl first, a brave decision or a crazy one, only time will tell, honours slightly more to England as Sri Lanka finish 147 for 4.

Day 2 England's chances of levelling the series seem pretty slim as the Sri Lankans finish the day 384 -6 in a frustrating and fruitless day, catches are dropped and more time is lost, only a monumental effort from here will snatch a victory.

Day 3 The less said about England's performance today the better. All out for 81 and the follow on enforced, it will take pretty much a miracle to save the game now

Day 4 And the miracle might happen (or at least the weather will) as England finish 102 for 1 in their second knock looking to avoid an innings defeat as the heavy rain puts paid to a full days play.

Day 5 A draw is achieved through more heavy rain and a little bit of help from Alistair Cooks resolute knock.

Summing up the series, England were second best but I don`t think they were totally outplayed, there were a number of important sessions which didn't quite go their way and they failed to capitalise on missed opportunities.

Bowling and batting England were slightly below par, Kevin Pietersen failed to have any knock of significance and although other batsmen made some runs, none of them went on to a big score, even Cook failed to carry on (when it was really needed) in his brave century in the last test.

The bowling seemed muted, Panesar was hardly a threat and the honeymoon period is maybe over for him.

I still believe England have the nucleus of a very good squad, Sri Lanka is a very difficult place to tour and a lot of these players were playing for the first time there, the England management must persist with young players if they think they are good enough and not chop and change like the old days.

ENGLAND V SRI LANKA 2ND TEST 9TH DEC TO 13TH DEC 2007

On to Colombo (wasn't he a scruffy detective) and the second test, England make a couple of changes, Harmison in (surely this guy owes England a good match) and Broad (no argument there, although it sounds like hes been brought in to strength the tail rather than for his bowling prowess).
Day One ends fairly evenly although Sri Lanka are possibly the happier team, Vaughan and Cook couldn't really capitalise on good beginnings. Pietersen was unlucky but he did edge it, he needs a big innings soon, Bopara didn't have a chance with his dismissal and its left to Collingwood and Prior to steady the ship.


Day 2 Once again, fairly even, England make 351, could have been better, could have been worse, Two quick Sri Lankan wickets and England's tails are up but Michael Vandort and Jayawardene dig in as Sri Lanka finish 105 for 2, quick wickets needed tomorrow.


Day 3 A pretty rough day for England on a fairly placid pitch. If there is going to be a winner in this game, the Sri Lankans are firm favourites. A lot depends on how many they score tomorrow and how long England have to bat for.

Jayawardene also became the top Sri Lankan tests run scorer. Hats off to him.



Day 4 England nearly get a sniff of victory as they get quick wickets but a determined 9th wicket stand ends all that nonsense and England are basically left to bat a full day out to avoid defeat.

Day 5 A Draw is comfortably secured and England still have a chance to tie the series, a few plus points for England with two opening century stands although both batsmen could have gone on to get more, England's bowlers also stuck to their task on a very flat wicket. It needs to be remembered that this is still a fairly young and inexperienced England side, if they can be kept together for a few more years without too much chopping and changing then there is the nucleus of a very good side.

ENGLAND V SRI LANKA IST TEST DEC 1ST TO DEC 5TH 2007

The boys are back in white and the series kicks off in Kandy, Sri Lanka which just happens to be Muttiah Muralitharans home ground as he attempts to break the Test wickets record.

Day 1 England bowl superbly to restrict Sri Lanka to 188. Matthew Hoggard is his usual dogged self as he takes 4 for 29 and is ably backed up by Monty.It could have been even better as the Sri Lankans were 42 for 5.

Day 2 England stutter after being 107 for 1, they end the day 186 for 6 still 2 behind Sri Lanka, Ian Bell once again shows he is becoming a World class batsmen by top scoring, Matt Priors place in the team must be under some scrutiny though. Heavy rain stops proceedings early.

Day 3 England fight back as Collingwood and Sidebottom dig in but the day belongs to Muralitharan as he becomes the leading Test wicket taker of all time and in another twist Jayasuriya announces his retirement from Test Cricket.

Day 4 Sri Lanka basically bat England out of the game and Day 5 is definitely going to be a struggle, add to this, Matthew Hoggards injury which could spell bad news for the rest of the tour.

Day 5 England once again come up short, its left to Bell and Prior to stave off defeat but although they both bat very well, they agonisingly fail to see out the overs. First blood to the Sri Lankans, but all in all a very interesting Test. Just worth a note about the amazing menagerie of animals involved in this test, dogs, Monkeys and a swarm of insects.