England wrap up victory over Sri Lanka
18/01/2021
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sport
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cricket
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Jonny Bairstow and Dan Lawrence help England seal victory over Sri Lanka on the final morning of the first Test in Galle.
Wouldn't be England without a bit of a wobble before the end!
Yes, England will need to be better to beat India, but lighten up! We won the first test of an away series! (with a lot of key players missing)
Yes, England will need to be better to beat India, but lighten up! We won the first test of an away series! (with a lot of key players missing)
"Wouldn't be England without a bit of a wobble before the end!"
Too true.
One thing I found baffling was two senior batsmen calling for 2 suicidal singles in the space of 2 balls, luckily only 1 direct hit.
Composure was needed from the experienced players and briefly was lacking
The debutante did quite well on this count
"If you can keep your head when those about you are losing theirs..."
Too true.
One thing I found baffling was two senior batsmen calling for 2 suicidal singles in the space of 2 balls, luckily only 1 direct hit.
Composure was needed from the experienced players and briefly was lacking
The debutante did quite well on this count
"If you can keep your head when those about you are losing theirs..."
Next one be interesting because Sri cant bat like that 1st innings again. Having said that England did the job batting 1st innings.
No Root and Bairstow did,sorry Lawrence as well.
well done lads.still not be enough for the likes of some experts?
I think England did well. Having to play those overs in the last moments of the 4th day can be difficult, and that loss of three wickets proved it.. but, overall England did well against a decent side. I can't wait for the T20 at the end of the year.. England are the world's number 1 side in ODIs and T20s, and so I am looking forward to that World Cup in Australia - that's if it goes ahead.
Beg to differ, SL batting pretty poor I think.
Did well against a decent side?did well against a very poor side you mean.
Can you post about T20 under the baseball section please? It’s not cricket:
As many say, this was a very encouraging start. India will be significantly tougher but I think Root and the management would not have expected such a strong performance given the circumstances. Need to back it up on Friday.
World Cup in Australia???? Dont think so - not until 2022 (T20 postponed from 2020) - but India is hosting the World Cup (T20) in Oct 2021 - just before the Ashes in Aus.
......plus Stokes, Burns, Pope as batters. Is rosy or tinted?
The greats of sangakara, Jayawardena, ranatunga, de silva, dilshan must be looking at that batting and be ashamed. Most of those shots were Sunday league pub shots. Worst thing is, I can't see it getting better...
Not while the pubs are closed, anyway.
And thank you Sir Lanka for laying this on.
Great debut for Dan Lawrence. Excellent match for Leach & Bess.
m.vaughans comments. a poor sri lanka team.can only beat whats in front of you.he descends into flip flopping comments day by day.when india were whipped by the oz in 1st test he did the same.thats not turning out to badly now.
I think England did well. Having to play those overs in the last moments of the 4th day can be difficult, and that loss of three wickets proved it.. but, overall England did well against a decent side. I can't wait for the T20 at the end of the year.. England are the world's number 1 side in ODIs and T20s, and so I am looking forward to that World Cup in Australia - that's if it goes ahead.
I imagine that if this had been the 1 day side Morgan would be thinking to himself that losing the 3 wickets in the way we did on day 4 & going on to win the test, would be a massive positive, the pressure of batting in that situation in those testing subcontinent conditions & the state of the match were invaluable for Crawley, Sibley & Bairstow, not to mention Root. Well done England
Great that we won comfortably after a great bowling performance in the first innings.
Not sure we could done much better, such a shame that it still isn't good enough for some of the press.
But, well done lads, great result and sets us up nicely for the next one!
Not sure we could done much better, such a shame that it still isn't good enough for some of the press.
But, well done lads, great result and sets us up nicely for the next one!
......plus Stokes, Burns, Pope as batters. Is rosy or tinted?
Batsmen is a term from the last century. So get off your penny farthing, trim your handle bar moustache and start eating soya with the rest of us!
Vaughan has the "it's not as good as when I was playing for England" mentality.
Irrespective of agreeing with Vaughn or not ( I do and then I don't ) , I think I would rather listen to an Ashes winning captain who played test cricket at the highest level than the majority of those knocking him. Typical of most armchair critics - probably the same ones who said all last year Root was rubbish and Broad and Anderson were past it .
You can only beat what's in front of you and England did that comfortably. Well done, Joe
Maybe Jonny could feign a tweaked hamstring and go out with a runner in each innings?
I thought that the concept of runners had been banned in international cricket for many years now.
Agreed, reminds me very much of Jerry Guscott on rugby. What really gets me is how often his comments just turn out to be so wrong. I well remember him mocking Alastair Cooke for saying England weren't out of it prior to Stokes heroics against Australia
At least he played for England. I prefer his insights about test cricket than the other summariser who hasn’t even played first class cricket and is only there because she ticks diversity boxes.
You mean Michael 'I was the best batsman/bowler/captain ever and everybody else is useless' Vaughan? Seems about right
Now leave Jonny Bairstow alone.Sometimes he plays like a muppet but don’t we all.Steadied the ship JB huge congratulations should be first name on team sheet.FACT to anyone who understands cricket.
Next one be interesting because Sri cant bat like that 1st innings again. Having said that England did the job batting 1st innings.
re other tread
Players bat in specialist positions for a reason- openers because they are better starting v the new ball +fast bowlers than those who bat in the middle order. Facing a spinner from ball 1 is very rare(even 1st innings in India given their current crop of seamers)If they survive new ball they are "set" when spinners come on and cope much better. Do not judge openers on this series
Players bat in specialist positions for a reason- openers because they are better starting v the new ball +fast bowlers than those who bat in the middle order. Facing a spinner from ball 1 is very rare(even 1st innings in India given their current crop of seamers)If they survive new ball they are "set" when spinners come on and cope much better. Do not judge openers on this series
Now leave Jonny Bairstow alone.Sometimes he plays like a muppet but don’t we all.Steadied the ship JB huge congratulations should be first name on team sheet.FACT to anyone who understands cricket.
Whether they do or they don't, there's little point in changing a winning team.
All the same, Root is the first name on the teamsheet.
All the same, Root is the first name on the teamsheet.
And Buttler seems to be the second.
Make that 14 and counting.
Good win for england,hopefully lawrence won't go the same way as tom Westley whose short england career ruined him as a top batsman
I think Jonny B dug us out of 2 holes in 2 innings?
He seems to have really tightened up his defensive technique and we all know he can smack a cricket ball.
Average of 82 and facing some excellent spin bowling ( ask Sibley and Crawley) and good for England.
Lawrence is here to stay. Pope and Stokes to squeeze in too.
Foakes would get in any other team in the world.
What's not to like?
He seems to have really tightened up his defensive technique and we all know he can smack a cricket ball.
Average of 82 and facing some excellent spin bowling ( ask Sibley and Crawley) and good for England.
Lawrence is here to stay. Pope and Stokes to squeeze in too.
Foakes would get in any other team in the world.
What's not to like?
Only you, Maksi, could trumpet Bairstow when he was partly responsible for digging England into one of the holes in the first place.
Presumably in your fevered mind Bairstow was the sole factor in Root's double ton, Lawrence's debut 70, & both the spinners' 5-fors. He even achieved Buttler's stumping, channeling The Force (through his seething resentment that someone else had the gloves?)
??????
Presumably in your fevered mind Bairstow was the sole factor in Root's double ton, Lawrence's debut 70, & both the spinners' 5-fors. He even achieved Buttler's stumping, channeling The Force (through his seething resentment that someone else had the gloves?)
??????
Now leave Jonny Bairstow alone.Sometimes he plays like a muppet but don’t we all.Steadied the ship JB huge congratulations should be first name on team sheet.FACT to anyone who understands cricket.
I think England did well. Having to play those overs in the last moments of the 4th day can be difficult, and that loss of three wickets proved it.. but, overall England did well against a decent side. I can't wait for the T20 at the end of the year.. England are the world's number 1 side in ODIs and T20s, and so I am looking forward to that World Cup in Australia - that's if it goes ahead.
Even thou England won this match after bit rattling .If SL established lead around 175 runs or so then match match would been poised more exiting finish but it was not so .Anyway , England en chased on SL miserable first innings failure
If my mum had have been male she would have been my dad.
Batsmen.
No. Batter's what you cook fish in. (Or possibly tempura in your case!)
Next you will be telling us women are good at cricket,rugby,football etc.Not one would get in an open team.Fun to watch but distinctly over rated.
Nah. If he was the equivalent of Guscott he’d be waxing lyrical about the opposition (probably Wales) and slamming England even if they’ve won.
But he was right: England needed a once-in-a-century heroic from Stokes to come through by the skin of their teeth. So 99.9% of similar situations, Vaughan would have been right and he surely wasn't going to say the opposite just because the almost impossible could come to pass....
re other tread
Players bat in specialist positions for a reason- openers because they are better starting v the new ball +fast bowlers than those who bat in the middle order. Facing a spinner from ball 1 is very rare(even 1st innings in India given their current crop of seamers)If they survive new ball they are "set" when spinners come on and cope much better. Do not judge openers on this series
Players bat in specialist positions for a reason- openers because they are better starting v the new ball +fast bowlers than those who bat in the middle order. Facing a spinner from ball 1 is very rare(even 1st innings in India given their current crop of seamers)If they survive new ball they are "set" when spinners come on and cope much better. Do not judge openers on this series
Exactly
To all those criticising Sibley and Crawley (and Burns to an extent) remember that being a test opener is the hardest job in cricket and if not them then who? They have been the best in the revolving top 3 of the last 9 years.
They are all young and learning on the job and have shown they have talent. It’s one bad game in conditions they will have rarely played in with no real preparation.
They are all young and learning on the job and have shown they have talent. It’s one bad game in conditions they will have rarely played in with no real preparation.
My point was very similar ... its a tough tough job up at the top and this will be an experience to put in the learning bank, i think Crawley & Sibley in particular will grow very much from their experience
Agree but Sibley needs to look at and work at his technique against spinners, he looked perplexed half of the time like a blind man prodding a cobra with a stick!!
Exactly.
Other than Cook, how many openers top the all-time scoring charts.
Other than Cook, how many openers top the all-time scoring charts.
Crawley will make it but Sibley will not (certainly when the ball is spinning or seaming) because his technique is awful. Any number of openers in the 1980s who were tried and discarded against the great WI team were better players.
We,ve taken who we have & they should get time..but it,s wrong to suggest it,s akin to landing on the Moon...Unders, A tours, Lions plus the specific Camps put on, all go to sub continent precisely to prepare.
I agree with you about Burns & Crawley, but Sibley is bowled/LBW far too often for a Test top 3 batsmen.
His whole technique and way of playing are flawed at this level, and he will not be a success until these flaws are addressed.
Would prefer an Top 3 of Crawley, Burns & Bairstow at this time.
His whole technique and way of playing are flawed at this level, and he will not be a success until these flaws are addressed.
Would prefer an Top 3 of Crawley, Burns & Bairstow at this time.
The problem with Burns and Sibley is they have weird, articulated, angular batting strokes just begging to miss, or catch an edge when bounce does something a bit odd or bowler moves the ball. Aussie/India bowling unit will make mincemeat of them. Then Crawley: take away his one massive knock: woeful average against mediocre attacks.....
Good point. It's not like in other sports. You need to give them every opportunity to get a score, which they will, whether it is Sri Lanka or India. One poor test does not mean replacing them.
Yes - it is hard - but they make it even harder by having some serious technical flaws (Sibley and Burns more so than Crawley).
Bringing your bat down in a straight line is a basic of batting. If you take you bat back as far off line as they do they make this simple part of batting so much more difficult. It isnt hard to change either
Bringing your bat down in a straight line is a basic of batting. If you take you bat back as far off line as they do they make this simple part of batting so much more difficult. It isnt hard to change either
Burns is 30, obviously young enough for a few years but he’s not young and learning
Look at the other test going on between the top two ranked teams in the world and the highest score by any of the openers is 48. Love to see what would happen to Smith, Kohli or Williamson's average if they had to open....
Can I make an appeal to TMS. Drop Vaughan from the first XI. His sneering,patronising "not as good as in my day" comments really spoil the coverage. I could perhaps ignore the snide remarks to his fellow commentators and the carping about many,not all,of the players if events didn't prove him wrong so often.
MV was my favourite player when he was batting and nearing double tons in the Aussies' back yard. But now he's turned into Donald Trump trying to court controversy on Twitter with every keystroke, and he's bringing that into his commentary, I despise him.
Commentators are they to comment and express opinions. You don't have to agree with them but that's their job.
Out of all of England's captains over the years Vaughan is probably the worst ever fielder and I include Bob Willis in there. How he can carp on about dropped catches with a straight face is beyond me....
Totally disagree about MV - provides excellent insight and doesn’t sit on the fence. This business about “better in my day” is complete nonsense. It seems he’s become a cheap shot, very unfair in my view. TMS is still miles ahead in terms of sports coverage.
Bring back Boycott then-"Ah would have made a hundred against these!"
Always a big achievement to win oversea with the toss going against you.
The first Sri Lanka innings gift wrapped the test for England but they still had to take the wrapping off.
A little perplexed why they are half way around the world during a global pandemic but not the fault of the team.
The first Sri Lanka innings gift wrapped the test for England but they still had to take the wrapping off.
A little perplexed why they are half way around the world during a global pandemic but not the fault of the team.
Don’t be perplexed.
If it wasn’t safe to go they wouldn’t be there.
If it wasn’t safe to go they wouldn’t be there.
If you want International Sport then someone has to travel.
Because just about everywhere except the US is a safer place to be than the UK with our highest rates per capita.
Good to win after such a long break although it could have been a little closer if Sri Lanka had tested the umpire's bad decision on the Lawrence lbw.
I very much doubt it, even if Lawrence had gone we still had a few batters to see us home and win by five or six wickets.
I think England did well. Having to play those overs in the last moments of the 4th day can be difficult, and that loss of three wickets proved it.. but, overall England did well against a decent side. I can't wait for the T20 at the end of the year.. England are the world's number 1 side in ODIs and T20s, and so I am looking forward to that World Cup in Australia - that's if it goes ahead.
You got in there before me.
I
I
Hardly. Boycott has major differences. The first being he’s usually right.
In Vaughan’s case he’s usually wrong. I’m not sure why the bbc use him, he rarely has a useful insight, puts a dampener on anything and is so often wrong.
Without rewriting history, he was a pretty negative captain, too.
In Vaughan’s case he’s usually wrong. I’m not sure why the bbc use him, he rarely has a useful insight, puts a dampener on anything and is so often wrong.
Without rewriting history, he was a pretty negative captain, too.
Except Vaughan is from Manchester.......but was infected by crossing the Pennines!
Don't hate on the County just because it's better than yours
Always a big achievement to win oversea with the toss going against you.
The first Sri Lanka innings gift wrapped the test for England but they still had to take the wrapping off.
A little perplexed why they are half way around the world during a global pandemic but not the fault of the team.
The first Sri Lanka innings gift wrapped the test for England but they still had to take the wrapping off.
A little perplexed why they are half way around the world during a global pandemic but not the fault of the team.
Great win ,well done England . I have no idea why people would come on here and play down the win ? We have just won a "Away" test match and that is a difficult task wherever you go. Just be pleased we won , i've been watching cricket for over 35 years and there was plenty of times we couldn't win at home let alone away . Just enjoy it !! Well done England
I agree. A win is a win and you can beat what is put in front of you. But even the TMS commentary team were talking about an SL win when England were 14 for 3. Bumble is the worst, mind you he didn't win much for England as a player and a coach.
I suspect that Sri Lanka improved as the game wore on, because their coach Mickey Arthur said they would all have to wear shorts like his for the rest of the summer if they didn't get their act together!
I didn't see the shorts, but according to the TMS team they were not overly decorus.
I didn't see the shorts, but according to the TMS team they were not overly decorus.
Simples... attention seekers.
m.vaughans comments. a poor sri lanka team.can only beat whats in front of you.he descends into flip flopping comments day by day.when india were whipped by the oz in 1st test he did the same.thats not turning out to badly now.
Wouldn’t pay him in washers
Good to win after such a long break although it could have been a little closer if Sri Lanka had tested the umpire's bad decision on the Lawrence lbw.
Batsmen
Agreed, particularly when SL's 9th wicket went down to a stumping. Whilst it was close, it was clearly out.
His shorts were borderline criminal
My thoughts entirely. He must be a real pain to have as a boss. Not exactly supportive of the “team” is he?
So we're his shorts! Get your 'big boy pants on', Mickey!!!
Always a big achievement to win oversea with the toss going against you.
The first Sri Lanka innings gift wrapped the test for England but they still had to take the wrapping off.
A little perplexed why they are half way around the world during a global pandemic but not the fault of the team.
The first Sri Lanka innings gift wrapped the test for England but they still had to take the wrapping off.
A little perplexed why they are half way around the world during a global pandemic but not the fault of the team.
To all those criticising Sibley and Crawley (and Burns to an extent) remember that being a test opener is the hardest job in cricket and if not them then who? They have been the best in the revolving top 3 of the last 9 years.
They are all young and learning on the job and have shown they have talent. It’s one bad game in conditions they will have rarely played in with no real preparation.
They are all young and learning on the job and have shown they have talent. It’s one bad game in conditions they will have rarely played in with no real preparation.
To all those criticising Sibley and Crawley (and Burns to an extent) remember that being a test opener is the hardest job in cricket and if not them then who? They have been the best in the revolving top 3 of the last 9 years.
They are all young and learning on the job and have shown they have talent. It’s one bad game in conditions they will have rarely played in with no real preparation.
They are all young and learning on the job and have shown they have talent. It’s one bad game in conditions they will have rarely played in with no real preparation.
Any suggestions, coach ?
Always a big achievement to win oversea with the toss going against you.
The first Sri Lanka innings gift wrapped the test for England but they still had to take the wrapping off.
A little perplexed why they are half way around the world during a global pandemic but not the fault of the team.
The first Sri Lanka innings gift wrapped the test for England but they still had to take the wrapping off.
A little perplexed why they are half way around the world during a global pandemic but not the fault of the team.
To all those criticising Sibley and Crawley (and Burns to an extent) remember that being a test opener is the hardest job in cricket and if not them then who? They have been the best in the revolving top 3 of the last 9 years.
They are all young and learning on the job and have shown they have talent. It’s one bad game in conditions they will have rarely played in with no real preparation.
They are all young and learning on the job and have shown they have talent. It’s one bad game in conditions they will have rarely played in with no real preparation.
Gavaskar is the only other opener in the top 10 of all-time leading run scorers.
We have the best spin attack in the world. Bring on India -they haven’t got a hope - despite their dodgy pitches!!
I woke serendipitously in perfect time to catch the start of play. Much calmer this morning and a good win - particularly after England's recent record of poor starts to Test series. Credits to both teams for an enthralling match.
And yes, well done Lawrence and Bairstow (there you go, Maksi! ??).
And yes, well done Lawrence and Bairstow (there you go, Maksi! ??).
Morning B-V .... Yep up to and what a quick finish it was just rough run a minute and job done .
Yes another First Test win as seems now to be putting the theory of Us losing the First Test to bed now I hope.
Good decision for Light last night let all calm down and then fresh this morning as you say for the lads to finish off.
SL battled back well and made us work for the Win.
Yes another First Test win as seems now to be putting the theory of Us losing the First Test to bed now I hope.
Good decision for Light last night let all calm down and then fresh this morning as you say for the lads to finish off.
SL battled back well and made us work for the Win.
Serendipitously is indeed how you'd be expected to do anything where Ceylon is concerned.
Any 'statos' out there? In the history of Test Cricket has there ever been a No. 11 whose personal top score is higher than 169?
Yes. Wilfred Rhodes. Highest Test Score 179. Highest first class score 267*
I imagine that if this had been the 1 day side Morgan would be thinking to himself that losing the 3 wickets in the way we did on day 4 & going on to win the test, would be a massive positive, the pressure of batting in that situation in those testing subcontinent conditions & the state of the match were invaluable for Crawley, Sibley & Bairstow, not to mention Root. Well done England
A few of the side learned some lessons here about playing test cricket in the subcontinent, despite it being a weak Sri Lanka side. Real performances from Root, Bairstow, Lawrence, Bess and Leach. Stewy looked & bowled like a ninja but with little reward. Great stuff! On to Galle!!
Can I make an appeal to TMS. Drop Vaughan from the first XI. His sneering,patronising "not as good as in my day" comments really spoil the coverage. I could perhaps ignore the snide remarks to his fellow commentators and the carping about many,not all,of the players if events didn't prove him wrong so often.
It must a uniquely English thing that some fans demand the dropping of half the team after a victory.
I think England did well. Having to play those overs in the last moments of the 4th day can be difficult, and that loss of three wickets proved it.. but, overall England did well against a decent side. I can't wait for the T20 at the end of the year.. England are the world's number 1 side in ODIs and T20s, and so I am looking forward to that World Cup in Australia - that's if it goes ahead.
I think that is why Sri Lanka improved as the game went on. Mickey Arthur was scratching his head fro carrots and sticks. Then he fell upon it. Compulsory wearing of shorts like his for the whole team for the rest of the year! They soon put in some extra effort!
Always a big achievement to win oversea with the toss going against you.
The first Sri Lanka innings gift wrapped the test for England but they still had to take the wrapping off.
A little perplexed why they are half way around the world during a global pandemic but not the fault of the team.
The first Sri Lanka innings gift wrapped the test for England but they still had to take the wrapping off.
A little perplexed why they are half way around the world during a global pandemic but not the fault of the team.
People were slating England yesterday, saying that they panicked, lost control and offered no threat to either Australia or India.
Well, I defended them yesterday and said it would be no surprise if they polished off the required runs this morning without losing any further wickets.
Lo and behold...England do exactly that.
Well, I defended them yesterday and said it would be no surprise if they polished off the required runs this morning without losing any further wickets.
Lo and behold...England do exactly that.
Exactly
Always a big achievement to win oversea with the toss going against you.
The first Sri Lanka innings gift wrapped the test for England but they still had to take the wrapping off.
A little perplexed why they are half way around the world during a global pandemic but not the fault of the team.
The first Sri Lanka innings gift wrapped the test for England but they still had to take the wrapping off.
A little perplexed why they are half way around the world during a global pandemic but not the fault of the team.
Great win ,well done England . I have no idea why people would come on here and play down the win ? We have just won a "Away" test match and that is a difficult task wherever you go. Just be pleased we won , i've been watching cricket for over 35 years and there was plenty of times we couldn't win at home let alone away . Just enjoy it !! Well done England
Agree. Could have gone either way
Don’t be perplexed.
If it wasn’t safe to go they wouldn’t be there.
If it wasn’t safe to go they wouldn’t be there.
Yes one person and he didn't pass it on to anyone which shows the bubble is working.
Unlike here where cases are increasing so obviously people here are not following the rules like the cricketers.
Your comment is illogical
Unlike here where cases are increasing so obviously people here are not following the rules like the cricketers.
Your comment is illogical
Michael Vaughan AKA Englands Glenn McGrath is becoming tediously annoying.
Enjoyable Test (a win always is!) signs of good things to come from Lawrence early days i know but very promising.
Well done England.
Enjoyable Test (a win always is!) signs of good things to come from Lawrence early days i know but very promising.
Well done England.
I have to say, Michael Vaughan may not always be right, but he's always worth listening to.
Once again Jonny Bairstow showed his class and application throughout the test. Although ostensibly batting at 3 he came in at the beginning of each innings and provided calm and authoritative batting at the right tempo. England should never leave him out of the team when character required. Also impressed by Dan Lawrence - both batsmen provided support for Joe Root , well done
Agreed he played well, but running the captain out yesterday wasn't his greatest move.
I like YJBs enthusiasm, the fact that he wants to do well, to improve his game, never seems to rest on his laurels. I bet he was frustrated with his batting decline in tests, wouldn't be like him not to want to do something about it.
I think Jonny B dug us out of 2 holes in 2 innings?
He seems to have really tightened up his defensive technique and we all know he can smack a cricket ball.
Average of 82 and facing some excellent spin bowling ( ask Sibley and Crawley) and good for England.
Lawrence is here to stay. Pope and Stokes to squeeze in too.
Foakes would get in any other team in the world.
What's not to like?
He seems to have really tightened up his defensive technique and we all know he can smack a cricket ball.
Average of 82 and facing some excellent spin bowling ( ask Sibley and Crawley) and good for England.
Lawrence is here to stay. Pope and Stokes to squeeze in too.
Foakes would get in any other team in the world.
What's not to like?
Only you, Maksi, could trumpet Bairstow when he was partly responsible for digging England into one of the holes in the first place.
Presumably in your fevered mind Bairstow was the sole factor in Root's double ton, Lawrence's debut 70, & both the spinners' 5-fors. He even achieved Buttler's stumping, channeling The Force (through his seething resentment that someone else had the gloves?)
??????
Presumably in your fevered mind Bairstow was the sole factor in Root's double ton, Lawrence's debut 70, & both the spinners' 5-fors. He even achieved Buttler's stumping, channeling The Force (through his seething resentment that someone else had the gloves?)
??????
This 'Bairstow resents not being the wicket keeper' rubbish really should stop. He gets ASKED every time about it, and RESPONDS honestly that yes, he'd like to keep wicket. That's fair enough - he's a wicket keeper. But he hasn't thrown his toys out of the pram: he's just got on with it. He can't just refuse to answer and thankfully doesn't lie - what else is he to do?
Fool ignorant fool
Evidently you know absolutely nothing about cricket.
Once again Jonny Bairstow showed his class and application throughout the test. Although ostensibly batting at 3 he came in at the beginning of each innings and provided calm and authoritative batting at the right tempo. England should never leave him out of the team when character required. Also impressed by Dan Lawrence - both batsmen provided support for Joe Root , well done
they run so many short singles they are going to screw up occasionally. But that was key to their first inns partnership and you cant have it both ways
I really feel that our spinners can sorely well against India and Australia this year . Both leach an d Bess should play against India . Leach has great guile and Bess gets wickets , even when he is not bowling well .
Who will play when they only need one spinner !
Who will play when they only need one spinner !
A few of the side learned some lessons here about playing test cricket in the subcontinent, despite it being a weak Sri Lanka side. Real performances from Root, Bairstow, Lawrence, Bess and Leach. Stewy looked & bowled like a ninja but with little reward. Great stuff! On to Galle!!
A really good win and a debutant batsman has done well - good mews all round.
Opening batsmen and spin bowlers are probably the two roles that require the longest time to develop into test level performers so a bit of patience will be needed before this squad reaches its peak.
Opening batsmen and spin bowlers are probably the two roles that require the longest time to develop into test level performers so a bit of patience will be needed before this squad reaches its peak.
Couldn’t agree more, don’t be surprised if Sibley went and got a ton in the next test, young batsmen will be inconsistent as they are learning still very much so at test level and don’t be surprised if Lawrence barely gets any in the next test. Doesn’t make them rubbish or world beaters overnight!!
Most of the test sides around the world are struggling to find consistent opening Batsman atm.
Not sure why maybe one day bias
Maybe quality of opening/seam bowling at present
Not sure why maybe one day bias
Maybe quality of opening/seam bowling at present
Well done England and Jonny Bairstow, who has totally justified his selection.
Picking Sibley in these conditions is like playing with 10 men ... how about picking Foakes because you don't need traditional openers when the opposition open the bowling with spinners!
Picking Sibley in these conditions is like playing with 10 men ... how about picking Foakes because you don't need traditional openers when the opposition open the bowling with spinners!
Well done Joe and the English team, some really encouraging performances especialy the captain
Will be interesting to see the team for Friday...Anderson for Broad & Stone for Wood?
Will be interesting to see the team for Friday...Anderson for Broad & Stone for Wood?
Like to see Stone given a go.
Bit of a poison chalice in those conditions. Think Anderson be in for Broad.
Curren did well considering conditions.
Doesnt sound like Moeen is match ready.
Bit of a poison chalice in those conditions. Think Anderson be in for Broad.
Curren did well considering conditions.
Doesnt sound like Moeen is match ready.
I am feeling an emerging sense of confidence with our batting options that has been absent for years. Our new openers will sometimes fail. Sibley needs some practice against good spin. Pope has already shown his obvious talent and Lawrence demonstrated some of his in this match.
A few of the side learned some lessons here about playing test cricket in the subcontinent, despite it being a weak Sri Lanka side. Real performances from Root, Bairstow, Lawrence, Bess and Leach. Stewy looked & bowled like a ninja but with little reward. Great stuff! On to Galle!!
Well done England and Jonny Bairstow, who has totally justified his selection.
Picking Sibley in these conditions is like playing with 10 men ... how about picking Foakes because you don't need traditional openers when the opposition open the bowling with spinners!
Picking Sibley in these conditions is like playing with 10 men ... how about picking Foakes because you don't need traditional openers when the opposition open the bowling with spinners!
My dog obviously knows more than you.
To all those criticising Sibley and Crawley (and Burns to an extent) remember that being a test opener is the hardest job in cricket and if not them then who? They have been the best in the revolving top 3 of the last 9 years.
They are all young and learning on the job and have shown they have talent. It’s one bad game in conditions they will have rarely played in with no real preparation.
They are all young and learning on the job and have shown they have talent. It’s one bad game in conditions they will have rarely played in with no real preparation.
The one disappointing aspect of the game was that Root, once again, failed to convert to a triple century.
Also, Bess should have taken 26 wickets in the first innings and I’m very disappointed that Lawrence didn’t score at least 250 after getting a good start.
Thanks for that David, my cornflakes are on my wife's face and the milk is running down my nose LOL
Is that you, Micheal Vaughn?
Yeah, that always used to disappoint me about my batting..........
. . . AND he only took 5 catches (or was it 6 Mr Agnew :) ) - and didnt even take 3 wikets in 2nd innings !!! Obviously a complete failiure - sack him for only winning last 4 tests abroad and not losing one in 9 -
Come on England , you're starting to look good, just can't have that, can we?
Come on England , you're starting to look good, just can't have that, can we?
Let's be honest, Joe Root was the difference here. He and Bairstow have great class with the bat, and look freshened up for having had a rest. Lower order was a little easy to dismiss however.
All in all, terrific result, but the performance - Root first innings aside - wasn't amazing. Wood looked plain miserable at times. Great to see Lawrence contribute twice on debut.
All in all, terrific result, but the performance - Root first innings aside - wasn't amazing. Wood looked plain miserable at times. Great to see Lawrence contribute twice on debut.
1st innings aside just a double hundred wow just wow apart from that he was ordinary?
Ah sorry miss read you meant everyone else apart from Root and Bairstow were not amazing.
OK don't agree thought most of the players apart from the openers played a part.
OK don't agree thought most of the players apart from the openers played a part.
You would look miserable out there trying to bowl fast on wickets made for their spinners.
So this is essential?! But an ordinary individual is not allowed to travel overseas for a family or friends functions!
Exactly.
Other than Cook, how many openers top the all-time scoring charts.
Other than Cook, how many openers top the all-time scoring charts.
A good win but without Root’s DC the outcome could have been very different.
Batting at the top end needs to improve for the 2nd Test as I expect Sri Lanka to be much tougher opponents next time round.
Batting at the top end needs to improve for the 2nd Test as I expect Sri Lanka to be much tougher opponents next time round.
Quite so. If Broad, Bess and Leach hadn’t played we might not have bowled them out twice either.
While we’re about it, Australia without Smith aren’t all that. Also, India were lucky to have Tendulkar for all those years.
Oh and WIndies in the 80s weren’t much without Holding and Marshall.
While we’re about it, Australia without Smith aren’t all that. Also, India were lucky to have Tendulkar for all those years.
Oh and WIndies in the 80s weren’t much without Holding and Marshall.
Let's be honest, Joe Root was the difference here. He and Bairstow have great class with the bat, and look freshened up for having had a rest. Lower order was a little easy to dismiss however.
All in all, terrific result, but the performance - Root first innings aside - wasn't amazing. Wood looked plain miserable at times. Great to see Lawrence contribute twice on debut.
All in all, terrific result, but the performance - Root first innings aside - wasn't amazing. Wood looked plain miserable at times. Great to see Lawrence contribute twice on debut.
Good result from England. It was good that Sri Lanka fought back, it's a shame for them that they had such a wretched first innings, could have been a tense finish had they set us 180-200 to win. Nice to see Lawrence, Bess and Leach have a good game, not to mention Root with that awesome knock, shame about the runout in the second innings though.
Well they made hard work of it but they won that’s the main thing.The batting must improve, are these two openers going to play 8n the next game? Well we had a Test match Masterclass from Captain JR. I hope there Not going to start saying Lawrence his a world beater like they normally do after playing one game. They might be saying can he open who knows. Bess was lucky in first innings a lot toDo
Who would you pick to open then
Players bat in specialist positions for a reason- openers because they are better starting v the new ball +fast bowlers than those who bat in the middle order. Facing a spinner from ball 1 is very rare(even 1st innings in India given their current crop of seamers)If they survive new ball they are "set" when spinners come on and cope much better. Do not judge openers on this series