Sri Lanka hold all the aces

Kumar Sangakkara once again displayed all his qualities with the bat and consequently put Sri Lanka in a commanding position at the end of day four.

The game was quite evenly balanced as play got underway this morning, but the highest partnership of the match so far between Sangakkara and his captain Mahela Jayawardene, who added 122, made England’s chances of gaining victory in this opening Test unlikely.

By the time the elegant Sangakkara was caught by Michael Vaughan off Paul Collingwood he had made 152, becoming the only player ever to score 150 in four consecutive Tests, while also completing the set of scoring centuries against all Test playing nations, the ninth man in history.

The hosts finally declared on 442-8, leaving England needing 350 for victory, a tough task made even more difficult when Chaminda Vaas found the edge of Alistair Cook’s bat with Chamara Silva completing the task in slips. At the close England were 9-1.

England were aware that they needed to strike early this morning if they harboured any hopes of having a realistic chance of winning the opener. What they did not account for was the way Sangakkara and Jayawardene demonstrated the skills required to be successful on this track. The captain eased the ball around into the gaps as he pleased. There is no pace in this wicket and minimal movement once the ball gets slightly worn.

Sangakkara looks so organised at the crease and is in unstoppable form that projects him up there with the world’s best on his latest showing. His driving was of the highest quality, and both he and Jayawardene nullified any threat Monty Panesar represented when he was called into the attack after around an hour’s play.

England’s cause was not helped by a recurrence of a lower back injury to Matthew Hoggard which forced him off the field after the lunch break, but it was just before the break that he accounted for Jayawardene’s wicket. The Sri Lankan skipper had reached 65 when he got a fine nick to a ball down leg side, which Matt Prior held on to superbly standing up to the wicket.

Chamara Silva then brought a degree of urgency to proceedings and the runs continued to flow as he imposed his positive style on a wearing England attack. The pair put on 71 in 15.4 overs, before umpire Asad Rauf decided the ball struck Silva’s pad before his bat and the finger was raised to give Panesar his first wicket of the innings. Silva’s flashy innings brought him 37 runs off 48 deliveries, including seven fours.

During that particular partnership, Kumar Sangakkara offered his only real chance. While on 98 he chased a ball gently swinging away from the hard working Ryan Sidebottom but Ian Bell dropped what should have been a regulation slip catch. Sidebottom should be applauded for his effort today, undeterred by England’s position he continued searching out an opportunity and was visibly frustrated with Bell’s attempt.

By this stage the main question was at what point was Jayawardene going to call off his troops in an attempt to remove some of England’s more established batsmen before the close of play. There did not appear to be a well understood game plan as Jehan Mubarak, Prasanna Jayawardene, Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga and Dilhara Fernando were all allowed time at the crease without any clear indication of hurrying the run rate along. Were the Sri Lankan’s simply wasting an opportunity to get at England’s batting ? Time will tell, and with Muralitharan on their side they will still be supremely confident of picking up the remaining nine wickets on the final day.

Monty Panesar toiled today and was rewarded with three wickets at the expense of 132 runs, Paul Collingwood also picked up a couple of late wickets.

England have it all to do, and they will need to think about being positive against Muralitharan, easier said than done I appreciate, but if he is allowed to line a batsman up and surround him with fielders there will surely be only one outcome.

However, Vaughan is at the crease and he will hold fond memories of the last these two teams met at the Asgiriya Stadium. England were set 368 to win, but batted for 140 overs to hold out for the draw, thanks in the main to Vaughan’s 105 off 333 balls. A similar effort is surely required here.

Sri Lanka 188

England 281

Sri Lanka 442-8 declared (130 overs)
Kumar Sangakkara 152, Sanath Jayasuriya 78, Mahela Jayawardene 65
Monty Panesar 3-132, Paul Collingwood 2-25, Matthew Hoggard 2-55

England 9-1 (5 overs)
Chaminda Vaas 1-7

England trail by 340 runs