The only decent spinner we have is Rachid but he's not playing tests. Bess hardly spins the ball and Leach isn't much better. Both are too inconsistent to build much pressure. I think we're a top class opener and spinner away from being a top test team imo.
Root was World No.1 only a few years ago, form is temporary, class is permanent. He's now passed Kevin Pietersen's Test run total in fewer matches with a higher average than any of England's top run scorers...
Sri Lanka are favourites, but I'm not sure they can get themselves into a position to declare tomorrow. Their best chance of winning might be to get bowled out leaving England around 220 to win. All 4 results possible, but I'm going for the draw.
Both teams capable of total batting collapse, definitely wide open. A draw would be a nice, grown up, old fashioned test result.
A draw was never on the cards after Sri Lanka's second innings with so much time left and England chasing a low target, unless the weather intervenes. I think it was 50/50 when England started their 2nd innings, but they are slight favourites now, given their position at tea. It could easily swing back to Sri Lanka if they take a couple of quick wickets in the final session.
After looking clueless in his first three innings, Sibley now looks quite comfortable against the Sri Lankan spinners. England should win from here.
Hope this isn't posters curse but whisper it.......Sibley and Butler going along quiet nicely and have steadied things......124/4, 41 to win
From the cricket text on beeb...... Chelsea have sacked Frank Lampard, by the way, if anyone has any interest in that sort of caper.
From beeb text That's the first time England have won five successive Tests away from home since 1914. Not a bad record to break, hey? Well played. Cracking result........