Sri Lanka vs England Day 4

Sri Lanka vs England
2nd Test Day 4

Starting 127 runs ahead, Sri Lanka were no doubt hoping to be able to declare by tea to avoid a repeat of their frustration in Galle. England, whilst hoping for early wickets, would have settled on slowing down the home side enough to make them bat for most of the day and reduce the time they would have to bat to save the game. In the event, they probably surprised themselves by taking two wickets in the first 20 minutes. Jayasuria played on to Kirtley for 27 and Sangakkara was caught off the glove by Collingwood for 10 to give Giles his second wicket of the innings.

At this point, 39 for1 had become 53 for 3, and further inroads would have put England in the driving seat. Many observers were confused, as they really could not remember a weaker England attack. Had they successfully bluffed the home batsman into thinking they were facing a genuinely potent line-up? Judging by the way they had prodded around at about 3 runs an over before getting out relatively cheaply throughout this game, they must have done. However, Dilshan, bless him, was having none of it. Rather than taking the "sensible" approach and settling in for an hour or so, he simply took England's bowlers apart. By lunch, he had reached 82 and shortly afterwards he reached his hundred having faced only 127 balls. This was no slog: just a very good batsman who was confident enough to play his natural game against some pretty limited bowlers. He was a cricketing version of the little boy in the story of the emperor's new clothes. Rather than pay undue respect to bowlers who just didn't deserve it, he effectively ran to the front shouting how hopeless they were and proceeded to deal with them accordingly.

By the time he was out, stumped off Batty immediately after reaching his hundred, Sri Lanka were firmly in control. He and Jaywardene had put on 153 and, even though Jayawardene soon played on to Flintoff for a steady 52, the lower middle order were now able to enjoy themselves. Tillakaratne, Samaraweera and Vaas all made useful runs quickly enough to allow an early declaration. England now needed 368 to win. More realistically, Sri Lanka had four sessions to bowl them out.

Before the series, great things were expected from Trescothick. However, he failed again today, making only 14 before edging Vaas to Jayawardene in the slips. Butcher batted more patiently than in the first innings, but was again stumped, this time off the bowling of Muralitharan. This week's quiz is to name the last batsman to be dismissed stumped in both innings. Hussain made an odd start, and seemed intent on winning the game by lunchtime tomorrow. A couple of ambitious drives were miscued wide of the fielders, and he was lucky to survive a very good LBW shout first ball from Muralitharan.

However, survive he did until poor light brought matters to an early close. Vaughan was still there as well, having just reached his second 50 of the match. England's last eight wickets now need another 279 to win the game. Their much-vaunted top order are certainly due some big runs, but Sri Lanka will be much the happier side tonight.

Sri Lanka 382 and 279-7 declared
England 294 and 89-2

Posted by David