Story Englands Tour Of The Sub-Continent (part 2)
- Thread starter The_gas
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2 day, 1st Session England in to Batt.
England have a tricky period to batt out before the lunch break. However after 5 deliverys rain stopped play, it stayed that way all day and play was abandoned a few hours later.
3 day session 1.
Still overcast in the ground england soon found out that this wasnt a good track, trescothick and vaughan edged there way to 7 runs a piece. Vaughan recieved a ball on midde and leg which he got forward to block, however a huge turn off the pitch saw it spit up at him and he was caught at silly mid off. The run out bug did for trescothick, to be fair it was a bad call from butcher. England at 27-2 on a bowling friendly wicket look to be in real trouble. Sri Lanka were giving away so many extras that Butcher and Hussain were able t pick up singles untill both became sttled at the crease. Butcher edged through the slip cordon on 5 not out, he then edged through the gully on 15. The ball is swinging about all over the place and england are just trying to last untill lunch. Hussain edges through the slips on 8 not out, surely a wicket must fall soon, the sri lankans definatly not haveing the rub of the green here. Well it was scrappy but a few well timed sweep's and leg glances relieved the pressure somewhat and england built a 50 partnership & make it through to lunch without losing any more wickets.
Lunch on day 3 sees england at 100-2 after 28 overs.
England have a tricky period to batt out before the lunch break. However after 5 deliverys rain stopped play, it stayed that way all day and play was abandoned a few hours later.
3 day session 1.
Still overcast in the ground england soon found out that this wasnt a good track, trescothick and vaughan edged there way to 7 runs a piece. Vaughan recieved a ball on midde and leg which he got forward to block, however a huge turn off the pitch saw it spit up at him and he was caught at silly mid off. The run out bug did for trescothick, to be fair it was a bad call from butcher. England at 27-2 on a bowling friendly wicket look to be in real trouble. Sri Lanka were giving away so many extras that Butcher and Hussain were able t pick up singles untill both became sttled at the crease. Butcher edged through the slip cordon on 5 not out, he then edged through the gully on 15. The ball is swinging about all over the place and england are just trying to last untill lunch. Hussain edges through the slips on 8 not out, surely a wicket must fall soon, the sri lankans definatly not haveing the rub of the green here. Well it was scrappy but a few well timed sweep's and leg glances relieved the pressure somewhat and england built a 50 partnership & make it through to lunch without losing any more wickets.
Lunch on day 3 sees england at 100-2 after 28 overs.
Day 3 session 2
Sri Lanka resumed with all spinners in tow and the wickets started to fall like a lead ballon. Jayasuira had hussain caught on the crease lbw, thorpe was run out for a duck, england in real trouble and they have only just passed the follow on score. Flintoff arrived at the crease with england needing to bat time. Time? whats that said flintoff who hit a 6 and a 4 in his first two deliveries, the next over he faced ghe was stumped for popping out of his crease. Blackwell came in with a little cameo role smashing a few 6's and 4's but he to was over attacking when england needed defense and was caught going for a hook by a close in fielder. England are being destroyed by sri lanka's spin bowlers. Chris Read also set out his stall from the start raceing to 27 but even he couldnt resist the charge and was eventually stumped. England were looking desperate and the inevitable was not far away, "lets get as many runs as we can" was the cry from the small contigent of england fans in the corner of the ground. 10 more runs were added for the last two wickets. A poor performance by england and if they want to even draw the match they will need a more solid performance with the batt, a draw maybe is asking to much we will have to see how many Sri Lanka can post in there second innings. England all out for 199 after 52 overs.
Sri Lanka have a short session before the tea break with which to batt.
Sri Lanka resumed with all spinners in tow and the wickets started to fall like a lead ballon. Jayasuira had hussain caught on the crease lbw, thorpe was run out for a duck, england in real trouble and they have only just passed the follow on score. Flintoff arrived at the crease with england needing to bat time. Time? whats that said flintoff who hit a 6 and a 4 in his first two deliveries, the next over he faced ghe was stumped for popping out of his crease. Blackwell came in with a little cameo role smashing a few 6's and 4's but he to was over attacking when england needed defense and was caught going for a hook by a close in fielder. England are being destroyed by sri lanka's spin bowlers. Chris Read also set out his stall from the start raceing to 27 but even he couldnt resist the charge and was eventually stumped. England were looking desperate and the inevitable was not far away, "lets get as many runs as we can" was the cry from the small contigent of england fans in the corner of the ground. 10 more runs were added for the last two wickets. A poor performance by england and if they want to even draw the match they will need a more solid performance with the batt, a draw maybe is asking to much we will have to see how many Sri Lanka can post in there second innings. England all out for 199 after 52 overs.
Sri Lanka have a short session before the tea break with which to batt.
m_vaughan
Chairman of Selectors
Your run rate is very good (199 in 52 Overs), thats almost 3.75 an over.
Its gonna be tough batting 4th...however I think a draw looks very likely.
Its gonna be tough batting 4th...however I think a draw looks very likely.
Day 3 Session 3
Sri Lanka survived 2 overs before the tea break. England were looking for an early breakthrough to stand any chance of winning this game. James Anderson fored to nicks which went through the slip and gully region both for four runs. Harmison was having more luck at the other end giving little away but without actually taking a wicket. After the opening bowlers spell Trescothick and flintoff came on bowling in tandem. Trescothick was the most econimcal bowler in the first innings and his line was causing problems. He had the hero of the sri lanka first innings caught lbw, it was a touch and go call but he deserved it. With england keeping the run rate down Jaysiyria ran himself out going for a second run which was never there. Towards the end of the session the spinners came on and kept the scoring down.
End of 3rd day sri lanka 60/3 after 30 overs. Sri lanka lead by 166
Who needs lee when we have Tresco
Sri Lanka survived 2 overs before the tea break. England were looking for an early breakthrough to stand any chance of winning this game. James Anderson fored to nicks which went through the slip and gully region both for four runs. Harmison was having more luck at the other end giving little away but without actually taking a wicket. After the opening bowlers spell Trescothick and flintoff came on bowling in tandem. Trescothick was the most econimcal bowler in the first innings and his line was causing problems. He had the hero of the sri lanka first innings caught lbw, it was a touch and go call but he deserved it. With england keeping the run rate down Jaysiyria ran himself out going for a second run which was never there. Towards the end of the session the spinners came on and kept the scoring down.
End of 3rd day sri lanka 60/3 after 30 overs. Sri lanka lead by 166
Who needs lee when we have Tresco
Day 4 Session 1
Sri Lanka havent been able to get off the mark today, some competant bowling from england saw Sri Lanka struggle with there run rate, after a nice spell from the seamers giles and blackwell are recalled for another session. Both improved on their first innings display, giles especially and it was suiting that he had sangakakar caught at silly mid off by Harmison (
). Blackwell did a good job at the other end without actually getting much purchase. The seamers returned and evetually trescothick was given the ball after his FINE efforts in the first innings. Tresco found the breakthrough, picking up two wickets in as many balls, and was on for the hat trick. An outswinger which just missed off stump was well left alone by the next batsmen, determined not to give tresco his first ever hatrick in test match cricket. Harmison also chipped in with an out swinger which was caught in the gully position. England are in a good position and Sri Lanka currently lead by about 225 runs. If England can get them out some time after tea for around 300 (including first innings score), they will feel they at least have a chance of winning this game. Although my money will be on a draw knowing how Sri Lanka's spin destroyed England in the first innings. Stay tuned the match could have a twist yet.
Sri Lanka havent been able to get off the mark today, some competant bowling from england saw Sri Lanka struggle with there run rate, after a nice spell from the seamers giles and blackwell are recalled for another session. Both improved on their first innings display, giles especially and it was suiting that he had sangakakar caught at silly mid off by Harmison (
). Blackwell did a good job at the other end without actually getting much purchase. The seamers returned and evetually trescothick was given the ball after his FINE efforts in the first innings. Tresco found the breakthrough, picking up two wickets in as many balls, and was on for the hat trick. An outswinger which just missed off stump was well left alone by the next batsmen, determined not to give tresco his first ever hatrick in test match cricket. Harmison also chipped in with an out swinger which was caught in the gully position. England are in a good position and Sri Lanka currently lead by about 225 runs. If England can get them out some time after tea for around 300 (including first innings score), they will feel they at least have a chance of winning this game. Although my money will be on a draw knowing how Sri Lanka's spin destroyed England in the first innings. Stay tuned the match could have a twist yet.
Day 4 Session 2
Sri Lanka's plight continued as the day went on excellent bowling for england has given them a fighting chance to win this test, however any more rain interuptions will see them batting out a draw. Anderson and Trescothick dominated the afternoon session, Harmison chipped in with a few maidens too. Anderson bowled Loukarachi with one of the sweetest yorkers ive ever seen, pitched on leg stump it swang back just enough to slip under the batsmens bat and send middle stump into chris reads hands behind the stumps. Vaas was then caught by Giles at gully off an anderson outswinger. It was well deserved for Anderson who has now taken 7 wickets in this test. Trescothicks slow and sometimes infuriating medium pace put an end to Nissanka for a duck. Murli frustrated England at the end with a last stand with tilakartne, but he eventually fell to Trescothick, and was caught at cover by Hussain. A helpfull last wicket partnership from Sri Lanka pushed their total up to 158 off 79 overs. England require 265 to win the match, and they have 20 minutes left of this session, one more full session after that, then all of day 5 to aqqwuire these runs. Its looking good however if the rain comes back it will end in a draw.
Sri Lanka's plight continued as the day went on excellent bowling for england has given them a fighting chance to win this test, however any more rain interuptions will see them batting out a draw. Anderson and Trescothick dominated the afternoon session, Harmison chipped in with a few maidens too. Anderson bowled Loukarachi with one of the sweetest yorkers ive ever seen, pitched on leg stump it swang back just enough to slip under the batsmens bat and send middle stump into chris reads hands behind the stumps. Vaas was then caught by Giles at gully off an anderson outswinger. It was well deserved for Anderson who has now taken 7 wickets in this test. Trescothicks slow and sometimes infuriating medium pace put an end to Nissanka for a duck. Murli frustrated England at the end with a last stand with tilakartne, but he eventually fell to Trescothick, and was caught at cover by Hussain. A helpfull last wicket partnership from Sri Lanka pushed their total up to 158 off 79 overs. England require 265 to win the match, and they have 20 minutes left of this session, one more full session after that, then all of day 5 to aqqwuire these runs. Its looking good however if the rain comes back it will end in a draw.
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