Easy win in the end. Openers finally managed double figures with Sibley going on to make a half century.
Yes, I'm always a little nervy but a good couple of wins. Some things worked well, other bits we need to improve on. I wonder if there has ever been a test were first innings all wickets were taken by pace bowling and 2nd and 3rd all by spinners.
Good all round performance. Sri Lanka were poor, but we outperformed them in all departments. Root mom and mos. Quality player.
Channel 4 will broadcast England's upcoming tour of India - marking the first live coverage of Test cricket on terrestrial television since the 2005 Ashes. The first Test of the four-match series starts in Chennai on Friday Good news
Yes, I know the matches start early UK time., but hopefully they get decent viewing figures and encourage them to get some more cricket on terrestrial
Modelling himself on Pujara, perhaps - but every team benefits from having at least one character like that. WTF shot did Rory Burns play so early in the match
555-8 hopefully a few more overs with stiff Indians in the field should help our bowling early overs. Pitch is just starting to spin out of the foot holes. Nice heavy roller should do nicely first thing
Yet, at the other end, Leach was at one point going for nearly 10 an over. I know runs are not an issue for England, but why then did Root only bowl one single over? Shame Pant fell nine short of 100 in a (very entertaining) knock - but he played one ODI stroke too many.
Just a few overs until the new ball as well I wonder if we will take it. Archer's first spell in particular was very good. Not bad diving catch from Anderson, but Root's reminded me of Straus. Maybe Root didn't bowl as much for a couple of reasons. 1, he is tired after batting forever 2, Didn't want to be seen as lacking faith in Leach by removing him when things were bad, because they would continue to target him the other games of the series.
Confusing tactics from England. If we are going to declare, why is Bess just padding away? Either get some quick runs or declare