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Woakes Bowls Off-Spin as Bad Light Halts England's Pace Attack

Woakes Bowls Off-Spin as Bad Light Halts England’s Pace Attack

By September 7, 2024 0

England’s Woakes Bowls Off-Spin Due to Bad Light in Third Test Against Sri Lanka

In an unusual turn of events, England pacer Chris Woakes was forced to bowl off-spin during the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at the Kennington Oval due to poor light conditions.

With skies darkening and light fading rapidly in London on Saturday, Woakes was seen bowling off-spin against the Lankan batters. The incident occurred in the 7th over of Sri Lanka’s first innings when the on-field umpires informed skipper Ollie Pope that the light was insufficient for fast bowlers to operate.

Woakes, who had just dismissed Pathum Nissanka on the second ball of his fourth over, had four more deliveries to bowl when the umpires intervened. This forced him to complete his remaining balls by bowling off-spin, much to the amusement of England bowling coach Jeetan Patel and the players on the field.

With a couple of slips, a leg slip, and a short-leg in place, Woakes bowled three off-spinning deliveries, one of which was dispatched to the boundary. He then completed the over with an arm ball.

Earlier, bad light had also forced early stumps on the opening day of the Test. Riding on Pope’s 154, England scored 325 before being bowled out in the 70th over. Already 2-0 up in the series, England are aiming for a whitewash against Sri Lanka.

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Ollie Pope's Century Puts England in Command Against Sri Lanka

Ollie Pope’s Century Puts England in Command Against Sri Lanka

By September 6, 2024 0

Ollie Pope’s resurgence as England’s captain continued on Friday as he notched his maiden century in the role during the first day of the third Test against Sri Lanka at The Oval.

Pope, playing on his home ground, rediscovered his batting touch, scoring an unbeaten 103 off just 103 balls. His innings propelled England to a strong position of 221-3 at the close of play, despite poor light conditions forcing an early end to the day.

Sri Lanka, who trail the three-match series 2-0, won the toss and opted to field first. However, they failed to capitalize on the overcast skies and green-tinged pitch, as England’s openers made a solid start.

Ben Duckett, who missed out on a century on Friday, struck consecutive fours off Milan Rathnayake’s deliveries. However, Dan Lawrence, playing as a makeshift opener, struggled and was dismissed for just five runs.

Pope, batting at number three, got off to a positive start, cutting a loose delivery from Rathnayake for four and later hooking a six off Lahiru Kumara. Duckett raced to a brisk fifty in just 48 balls, including seven boundaries.

Despite the floodlights being on, the umpires deemed conditions too unsafe to continue and halted play due to bad light. Rain further delayed the match, which resumed at 1410 GMT.

Duckett continued his aggressive approach, ramping Kumara for six over fine leg and then uppercutting him high over third man. However, he fell short of his fourth Test century when he mistimed a scoop off Rathnayake and was caught by wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal.

Pope, 26, had a stroke of luck when a top-edged six off Kumara went his way. He completed his seventh Test hundred – and his first at The Oval – when he elegantly square-drove Asitha Fernando for his 13th boundary.

However, bad light once again forced the players off the field, and no further play was possible on Friday.

England, who have already secured a 3-0 victory against the West Indies earlier in the season, are now aiming for their first clean sweep in a home Test campaign since 2004.

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England Eye Clean Sweep as Sri Lanka Seek Redemption in Third Test

England Eye Clean Sweep as Sri Lanka Seek Redemption in Third Test

By September 6, 2024 0

England, riding high on a 2-0 lead, aims to seal a clean sweep against Sri Lanka in the third and final Test match of the series. The hosts have been in imperious form throughout the series, showcasing the depth of their squad with impressive performances from both established and emerging players.

Joe Root has been the talisman for England, leading from the front with his prolific batting. However, the likes of Jamie Smith, Matthew Potts, and Gus Atkinson have also made significant contributions, proving their worth in the international arena.

For Sri Lanka, the task ahead is daunting. They have struggled to match England’s intensity and skill, and a turnaround in fortunes is imperative if they are to avoid a whitewash. The visitors will need their senior players, such as Dimuth Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews, to step up and inspire the team.

The third Test promises to be an intriguing contest, with England seeking to maintain their dominance and Sri Lanka desperate to salvage some pride. The match will be played at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, starting on June 23.

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Sri Lanka's Batting Woes Continue, De Silva Emphasizes Top-Order Runs

Sri Lanka’s Batting Woes Continue, De Silva Emphasizes Top-Order Runs

By September 5, 2024 0

Sri Lanka’s batting woes have been a persistent issue throughout the ongoing Test series against England. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva has emphasized the crucial need for top-order runs, highlighting the team’s inability to reach 350 or have any of their top seven batsmen score a century.

In the first Test, Sri Lanka collapsed to 72 for 5 in the first innings, while in the second Test, they were dismissed for 83 for 5. De Silva believes these early setbacks have been detrimental to their chances of victory.

“Our batters have to score runs, and that’s the biggest issue we’ve had,” de Silva said. “Those who got starts didn’t turn them into hundreds and 150s. If you look at Joe Root on their side, he’s consistently made runs and it’s around him that others made runs. That’s what someone on our side needs to do as well, so we can get to 300 or 350. First-innings runs are what’s crucial to victory.”

Kamindu Mendis has been the only Sri Lankan batsman to make significant contributions on tour, scoring 113 in Manchester and 74 at Lord’s. Despite his impressive form, de Silva has opted to keep him at No. 7 in the batting order.

“I think if Kamindu plays well down there there’s no reason to change what he’s doing and put him in trouble,” de Silva explained. “If he’s scoring there, it’s good for his career as well. In the future, maybe we will talk to him, about his plans as well and see what changes we can make. But right now we’re thinking of him as a No. 7.”

The rest of the Sri Lankan batting order has struggled against England’s seamers, with de Silva attributing this to their discipline and control.

“They [England] have a lot of control in addition to their experience,” de Silva said. “They have great control of line and length and we don’t get many loose balls in England. We need to be prepared for that and our plans have to take that into account. That’s just what you get in England. In the two previous matches they didn’t let us execute our plans. That’s why they were successful.”

Joe Root’s exceptional batting has also contributed to Sri Lanka’s 2-0 deficit in the series. De Silva hopes that his team has devised a plan to surprise Root in the upcoming match.

“It’s not that our plans against him didn’t work – he just very quickly recognised what we were trying to do and countered it,” de Silva said. “That’s what world class players do, and that’s why he scored runs. We’ve hopefully come up with something now that he won’t expect.”

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England Aim for Summer Sweep as Sri Lanka Seek Redemption at The Oval

England Aim for Summer Sweep as Sri Lanka Seek Redemption at The Oval

By September 5, 2024 0

England and Sri Lanka will face off in the final Test of the summer at The Oval, the traditional venue for the season’s finale. Despite the limited challenge posed by Sri Lanka, England has dominated the series, aiming to complete a first summer sweep since 2004.

Gus Atkinson has emerged as a star for England, taking 33 wickets in five appearances, while Jamie Smith has solidified his position as wicketkeeper. The hosts have also handed a debut to 6ft 7in left-armer Josh Hull, who impressed in the series warm-up.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has struggled to live up to expectations. Despite flashes of resistance from Asitha Fernando and Kamindu Mendis, two first-innings collapses have left them with too much to do. Dhananjaya de Silva’s decision to bowl at Lord’s also backfired, putting an inexperienced bowling attack under pressure.

The Oval Test will be a chance for Ollie Pope to improve his average as Test captain, while Sri Lanka will be determined to avoid a whitewash. The pitch is expected to favor pace, with Sri Lanka opting for a four-man pace attack.

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Gus Atkinson's All-Round Brilliance Secures England's Series Win

Gus Atkinson’s All-Round Brilliance Secures England’s Series Win

By September 2, 2024 0

England’s Gus Atkinson emerged as a true all-rounder in the recently concluded Test series against Sri Lanka, etching his name on all of Lord’s honours boards. His exceptional performance played a pivotal role in England’s 2-0 series victory.

In the first Test at Lord’s, Atkinson’s century and five-wicket haul were instrumental in England’s 190-run triumph. Batting alongside Joe Root, Atkinson scored a rapid 118 off 115 balls, including 14 fours and four sixes. His aggressive batting helped England post a formidable 427 runs in their first innings.

With the ball, Atkinson proved equally devastating. He claimed 5/62 in Sri Lanka’s first innings, including the wickets of Dimuth Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews. His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace troubled the Sri Lankan batsmen.

In the second innings, Atkinson continued to impress with the bat. He scored 50 off 62 balls, helping England set a challenging target of 483 runs for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka showed some fight in their chase, with half-centuries from Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, and Dhananjaya de Silva. However, Atkinson’s bowling brilliance proved too much for them. He claimed another five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5/62.

Atkinson’s all-round performance earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ award. He became the first England player since Ian Botham in 1986 to score a century and take five wickets in the same Test at Lord’s.

Speaking after the match, Atkinson expressed his delight at his achievements. “It was special for me to get on all of Lord’s honours boards and bat with Joe Root in the first innings,” he said. “It will take a while to sink in.”

Atkinson’s performance has solidified his place in the England Test team. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a valuable asset to the side.

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England Dominate Sri Lanka on Day 4 of Lord's Test

England Dominate Sri Lanka on Day 4 of Lord’s Test

By September 1, 2024 0

England’s dominance continued on Day 4 of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London. After posting a mammoth 344 in their first innings, England dismissed Sri Lanka for 135 and enforced the follow-on.

In their second innings, Sri Lanka lost two early wickets, leaving them with a daunting task of chasing down 430 runs with just eight wickets in hand. Gus Atkinson, who has been a revelation for England this series, claimed the wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne in the second innings, adding to his tally of three wickets in the match.

England’s batting performance was led by Joe Root, who scored a magnificent 186 in the first innings. Jonny Bairstow also contributed with a valuable 111, while Ben Stokes chipped in with 56.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled to contain England’s batsmen, with only Lasith Embuldeniya managing to take more than one wicket. The Sri Lankan batsmen, on the other hand, failed to put up any significant resistance, with only Angelo Mathews (49) and Niroshan Dickwella (35) offering some resistance.

With Sri Lanka facing an uphill battle to save the match, England will be confident of wrapping up the contest on Day 4. The hosts need just eight more wickets to secure victory and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

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Sri Lanka's Historic Debut at Lord's: Wettimuny's Masterclass Stuns England

Sri Lanka’s Historic Debut at Lord’s: Wettimuny’s Masterclass Stuns England

By September 1, 2024 0

In 1984, Sri Lanka’s debut at Lord’s, the “Home of Cricket,” marked a pivotal moment in their cricketing history. The young team surprised England with a dominant performance, declaring 491-7 in their opening innings, led by Sidath Wettimuny’s outstanding 190.

Wettimuny, then 28, recalled the historic event as a defining moment for both his country and himself. “England is the home of cricket,” he said. “We were very keen to show up and do something decent so that the world took notice of us.”

Despite an uncomfortable start with Tamil demonstrators storming the field, Wettimuny remained composed. “That helped me tremendously,” he said. “I just forgot about cricket, forgot about batting and I was relaxed for a few minutes.”

Wettimuny’s elegant square-drives punished England’s attack, led by Ian Botham. His success was attributed to his English education and his father’s influence. “He was a huge cricket enthusiast,” said Wettimuny. “He made us read CB Fry’s ‘On the Art of Batting’.”

Sri Lanka’s captain, Duleep Mendis, was another aggressive batsman, despite England’s current “Bazball” strategy. Mendis’s 111 included multiple sixes off Botham’s bouncers. “He was a phenomenal player when he got going,” said Wettimuny.

Wettimuny’s obedience to Mendis’s instructions led him to bat for almost 11 hours, falling 10 runs short of a double century. “I just say I was happy with what I got,” he explained.

England’s Jonathan Agnew, who played in the match, acknowledged Sri Lanka’s impressive performance. “Sidath played really, really well,” he said. “And Duleep Mendis murdered ‘Beefy’ (Botham).”

Arjuna Ranatunga, then 20, also made a significant contribution with an 84. “They’ve hardened up a lot,” said Agnew. “When they first appeared, they sounded a bit old-fashioned, and played a bit old-fashioned.”

Sri Lanka’s debut at Lord’s not only showcased their talent but also marked a turning point in their cricketing journey.

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England's Spin Decision Draws Criticism from Eoin Morgan

England’s Spin Decision Draws Criticism from Eoin Morgan

By September 1, 2024 0

England’s decision to halt bowling spin on the third day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s has drawn criticism from former captain Eoin Morgan. With Sri Lanka struggling at 24 for 1, England opted to bring on seamers Shoaib Bashir and Joe Root instead of continuing with spin from both ends.

Morgan questioned the decision, citing the poor light conditions and Sri Lanka’s vulnerability. “It’s a questionable decision,” he said. “The reason behind that is just the whole context of the last hour or so: it is dark. There’s a reason the seamers can’t bowl: it is dangerous for everybody concerned.”

He emphasized the advantage England had with Bashir, England’s premium fingerspinner, and the fact that Sri Lanka had promoted Prabath Jayasuriya, a No. 9 batsman, to No. 4. “They’re bowling at a No. 9 at one end. Everything is in England’s favor,” Morgan said. “I question the decision… you have runs to play with, you have two or three new balls, everything in your favor. And yet you’re sitting in the changing room.”

England’s decision to come off the field left a near-capacity crowd at Lord’s disappointed. Captain Joe Root expressed the team’s desire to entertain fans, but acknowledged the safety concerns. “We pride ourselves on wanting people to come into the ground and feel like they’ve had a really enjoyable day of cricket, and can walk away wanting to come back for more Test cricket,” he said.

Ollie Pope, who is deputizing for Ben Stokes as captain, has faced criticism for his leadership. After scoring only 30 runs in four innings across the first two Tests, he was caught in the deep for 17 on Saturday.

Sri Lanka’s batting coach Ian Bell expressed hope that his team could still save the game. “The more we can spend time in the middle and that ball gets a bit softer…” he said. “This wicket has been quite a new-ball wicket, if you can get through that. There’s still plenty of batting, and that’s probably been the strength so far this tour: that middle-lower order have got some good runs.”

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Sri Lanka's de Silva urges team-mates to seize county cricket opportunities

Sri Lanka’s de Silva urges team-mates to seize county cricket opportunities

By August 28, 2024 0

Sri Lanka’s Dhananjaya de Silva believes that his team-mates deserve more opportunities to play in county cricket in England. He believes that this would be particularly beneficial for the batters, who would gain valuable experience in English conditions.

Counties have been allowed to field two overseas players in their XI in each format since 2021. However, Sri Lankan players have largely been overlooked, in part due to their touring commitments. Vishwa Fernando is the only member of the 18-man touring party to feature in the Championship this year, playing three matches for Yorkshire.

Dinesh Chandimal has also expressed his desire to play county cricket, but has been unsuccessful in securing a contract. “The last few years, I wanted to get a county deal,” said Chandimal, who has scored 15 Test hundreds. “I didn’t get it so far. If I can do well in this series, hopefully I will be picked by one of the counties. It is my dream to play a season of county cricket.”

De Silva believes that playing in the Championship would be beneficial for Sri Lanka’s batters. “Playing in these conditions will be better for the batsmen,” he said. “We are only getting the chance while we’re touring here. But if the batsmen can play county [cricket], it’ll be nice for them.”

Sri Lanka have a three-month gap in their international schedule after the Champions Trophy, which could allow their Test players to feature in the early stages of the county season. However, Wanindu Hasaranga, who is not part of the Test squad, has been denied No-Objection Certificates by SLC to play in the Hundred.

De Silva said that Sri Lanka have prepared well for the second Test at Lord’s and will make two changes, with Pathum Nissanka and Lahiru Kumara replacing Kusal Mendis and Vishwa Fernando. “Overall, Pathum is the best batter in the country at the moment,” said De Silva. “He has a good mindset and he has a good technique.”

He also played down the absence of Mark Wood, suggesting that Chris Woakes had been harder to face. “The speed is not troubling me, but the line and length,” said De Silva. “The opening bowler, he bowls in one area for 20 to 30 balls and that’s the problem we have: with the swinging ball, not the pace… if the plans work here, we’ll get on top.”

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