creeeeeeeekeeeeeet

[jimbo]

On track for a first away win for 2 years in test cricket for 2 years.

[jimbo]

As well as Foakes has done, it just complicates the future batting line up even more! We still don’t have a settled top 3, which with root at 4 leaves Stokes, Buttler, Foakes, Bairstow, Woakes, Ali, Curran to fight out the number 5-8 spots. There’s going to be some very disappointed players moving forwards. For what it’s worth I’d make Bairstow wait. He’s been performing poorly for a while and shouldn’t be guaranteed a return to the side.

[TANGODANCER]

Following The Guardian live commentary. Butler just gone for 38, Jennings still going strong on 121 (at this moment) and England looking well in control, 400 ahead with 5 wickets in hand. Root and Ali went for a total of six runs between them; good bowling, the pitch or whatever, but we're now in an unassailable position.

Edit: England declare st 322 -6, with a massive lead of 461. Jennings n.o. 146.

[Enoch]

I see they're still picking that failure Jennings!

[jimbo]

Jennings is a funny one, and well done to the selectors for taking him this winter. His technique looks poor against the moving ball but he’s scored 2 hundreds in 3 tests on the subcontinent now. He’s a good player of spin, and clearly has the temperament for a long innings. Maybe the future is picking players more based on conditions?

[TANGODANCER]

Comfortable win in the end by 211 runs. All's well etc.....

[TANGODANCER]

Second test, England 285 all out and Sri Lanka 26-1. Need to see how much the pitch is having its say during their innings to assess our own. Curran hit six, sixes at the tail end which helped the total more than just a little.

[BWFC_Insane]

Second teat, England 285 all out and Sri Lanka 26-1. Need to see how much the pitch is having its say during their innings to assess our own. Curran hit six, sixes at the tail end which helped the total more than just a little.

It was turning a lot.

Suspect 285 a decent score.

Top order struggling again though.....

[TANGODANCER]

Sri-Lanka 336 all out, a lead of 46 at the end of day 2.. Not much in it really, but enough to win a balanced game. All to play for tomorrow.

[BWFC_Insane]

Sri-Lanka 336 all out, a lead of 46 at the end of day 2.. Not much in it really, but enough to win a balanced game. All to play for tomorrow.

Quite a substantial lead for a low scoring game. England's spinners not used to a track that turns so much. Needed to adjust their lines but couldn't consistently do it.

Tough ask now to make 300 on a turning track.

Sri Lanka are favourites now.

[jimbo]

I’d probably put it about even. The pressure of chasing and batting last on a day 4 pitch that’s turning moves it away from Sri Lanka’s favour IMO. If we get 200, they may well struggle to chase 160. Looking forward to the next couple of days as either way it’ll be a good game of cricket.

[TANGODANCER]

England 324-9 at day's end. Absolutely sailing at one point then lost 3 quick wickets right off for just a couple of runs. Rain stopped play and that looks like it for today. Should pretty comfortably be our game now...but then again.......?

[BWFC_Insane]

England 324-9 at day's end. Absolutely sailing at one point then lost 3 quick wickets right off for just a couple of runs. Rain stopped play and that looks like it for today. Should pretty comfortably be our game now...but then again.......?

Pitch hasn't done as much as you'd expect so we're favourites but don't rule SL out. We'll have to bowl well. England have a higher score batting second time round...and apparently that is a bit of a theme on this pitch. So we'll have to bowl well on it.

[TANGODANCER]

So.....Sri Lanka need 75 runs to win with 3 wickets left as rain ends play today. Weather forecast not good with thunderstorms......A draw? Hmmmm

[TANGODANCER]

England won by 57 runs and take the series. Great performance all round and especially by Joe Root.

[TANGODANCER]

Sri Lanka 173-1 and looking totally in control.....then Rashid set about them and that became 240 all out. Magic stuff. England are 3-0 after making 336 first innings, so 99 ahead at close.

[TANGODANCER]

Currently being 53-4, Sri Lanka need 274 to win, with six second-innings wickets intact. I might be tempted to think we'll complete the whitewash tomorrow?

[TANGODANCER]

Not as clear cut as expected and Sri Lanka getting 284 in their second innings. They lost by 46 runs in the end. A great whitewash series for England but a great fight by Sri Lanka in this one.

[BWFC_Insane]

England all out for 77.....

[TANGODANCER]

England all out for 77.....

You mean Courtney Walsh, Marshall, Holding, Ambrose and co are still playing?

Miracle needed (or a monsoon)