The Village Cricketer

I was going to use the word poor. Cricinfo however has got closer to the mark with pathetic. England have been bowled out for 81 after Sri Lanka posted the best part of 500. Shocking.

I feel slightly numb.

I’ve been to Kandy. Nice enough place, but for the fact that on the tour of Sri Lanka I was doing – which coincided with the final test of the 2005 Ashes series - the hotel we stayed at didn’t have Star TV Asia, which meant I missed out on seeing any of days 3 and 4 of England’s triumphant draw. Anyhow, I did see some Sri Lankan dancing, visited the Temple of the Tooth, some botanical gardens and (particlarly impressively) picked up a made-to-measure pure silk suit (fashioned overnight to my specifications) for less than £70.

Now, I am guessing that Alistair Cook doesn’t share my generally positive view of the place, as he managed to be dismissed in the first over of each innings and to deflect a Jayasuria smash into his face. Ian Bell, who at least scored runs in the first innings, may also be having affection issues with Kandy, as his dropped catch off Sangakkara meansthat Sri Lanka have been able to post a (seemingly) unchaseable total.

Despite Murali’s record braking, it seems as though Sangakkara may be difference in this match. England have to bat through day 5 for a draw. It’ll take an almight effort to do that.

As Bumble says, it is very very difficult to win a series in Sri Lanka, especially after losing the first match. England have never won a series in Sri Lanka before. And now England has beaten the World Cup runners-up in their own backyard. The first time in twenty years England have won a major one day series on the sub-continent. Phenomenal.

Kevin Pietersen, poor in the series so far, scored 63 not out (big match player, not a bad thing), and man-of-the-match Alistair Cook 80, to see England home after England’s bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to an underpar score. Jayawardene praised England’s bowling up front, big praise is due to Sidebottom, Broad and Anderson, who have kept Sri Lanka’s top four completely under wraps all series.

“Everybody’s put a lot of hard work and effort into winning,” said Collingwood. “A special mention to the bowlers today, a great effort. All the boys have been superb from day one.”

Andrew Miller in Cricinfo has written an excellent summary.

Tremendous, England have beaten Sri Lanka in another ODI and now lead the series 2-1. Who’d have thought that Graeme Swann would be providing the star turn? A decent bowler, tidy batsmen and real character, Swann could well be bowling himself into a chance of playing some test cricket at some stage, especially given the weakness in England’s batting of late. It may only happen should England play two spinners and it’d be great to see him bowling in tandem with Monty.