Rootin' for Joe etc...

[liquidfootball2]

If Curran is a batsman in his own right, maybe he should bat at three?

Its tough on Bairstow but as Nick Hoult writes in the article above its possibly the best team right now for this pitch and this opposition.

In the last test look at what the selectors did

Pick Jennings, many wouldn't - scored over 200, out once

Play three spinners - took 16 wickets

Brought Foakes straight in when Buttler said he wasn't happy with his glovework - man of the match

Possibly man of the last summer Jos Buttler was brought from the IPL with hardly any recent red ball cricket (Jimmy may have been but definitely a success)

Rashid was brought in from white ball cricket when Jack Leach was injured and we wanted a support for Ali

These have all worked and it's been a remarkable series of correct calls from Ed Smith and the selectors

They beat the number one ranked team 4-1 and are now on their way to their first overseas test series win for a couple of years - since the last tour of South Africa in 2015 I think.

I think Ed Smith and his selectors have some credit in the bank and aren't crazy.

[ooozzzie]

Hmmm well just glad to get here more on that in a minute. So fair enough they come up with team, we were close, and it should be good enough. I think they go with the extra bowler because of the heat. Most are pretty fair with the bat as well. A bowler should not be at number 3, but an allrounder I think is alright. Stokes was bloody useless with the bat at Cheltenham, but he has improved, we shall see.

So the weather here has been good, sun for 3 days, but the forecast isn't quite as good. So we can but hope, it is high up, the road from Columbo to here, never really stops slowly climbing, its never very steep just relentless going up, its goes on forever. So it will be cooler in the morning, possible dew. And as for rain, well we hope for the best. It was hot this afternoon though. Not easy batting first on the first day, so Stokes could be in pretty quick if we bat.

I have got front row seats in the big stand, there is only one big stand, and its big! I will have my Gloucestershire cap on, you never know.

But driving up, blimey never again, my driver who was supposed to be good, got a bit erratic and luckily he pulled his sunglasses up, and I could see why, he was falling asleep!!! "Oi mate, pull over now" I gave him a right rocket, and he took 5 minutes, washed his face, and came back and apologised. No tip for him, he was useless anyway, must have worn out a pair of brake pads. He really did look very drowsy indeed. So anyway we got here, it was 4 hours and 30 minutes. The last bit takes ages.

Hotel is great, brand new only been opened 2 or 3 months, staff were excellent, I got a tuk tuk to the old stadium here in Kandy and picked up my tickets in 2 minutes, no-one else there! Probably because we got an email to pick up the tickets from the Pallekelle stadium which is 35 to 40 minutes away. So I got away with that one.

Lots of moans from tour companies (not sure if its barmy army or another one) they got kicked out their hotel for the two teams, they have taken it has high as they can, but will have to bus in from 2 hours away. I thought they already knew about all this, but some guy on twitter was saying they only got it confirmed today (might be more than one tour company, so can't really be sure of anything) But a 4 hour commute isn't good.

Not so many bars around here, probably a good thing, going to take it easy in the evenings. Have a bottle of Vodka anyway will drink that over 5 nights.

Looking forward to tomorrow now, now that scary trip is out the way. One thing is for sure, would never
live here, the roads are just terrible, well the drivers anyway.

[hancockjr]

A bowler should not be at number 3, but an allrounder I think is alright.

You'd better take that up with Liquid, he thinks Curran is a batsman.

[liquidfootball2]

A bowler should not be at number 3, but an allrounder I think is alright.

You'd better take that up with Liquid, he thinks Curran is a batsman.

I perhaps worded it badly as he's obviously a bowler too but his batting is also strong, he's now a genuine all rounder who in time could well move up the order.

Did I say number three????

I'm not even sure I said to move him up from his current batting position.

'Curran is a batsman in his own right but also opens the bowling with Anderson and is a much needed left armer who can swing it into the right hander early on' is perhaps what I said.

[hancockjr]

Correct - you said he was a batsman.

I therefore put him at three - England need a batman there so based on your statement it fit.

[liquidfootball2]

Correct - you said he was a batsman.

I therefore put him at three - England need a batman there so based on your statement it fit.

It's not based on mine at all but it is absurd

[hancockjr]

Sorry, I now have time for a longer reply.

I agree the selectors did really well over the summer - I thought they'd made a lot of mistakes but the players I'd have left out generally did really well so hats off them. It was an unusual situation though, where we had fewer possible batting candidates than, well, ever. They went for all rounders on the basis they wouldn't be much worse with the bat and it worked, generally. How Jennings kept his place I'll never know though.

Now we have the bizarre situation that one of the very few actual batsmen we have available isn't going to be picked, despite the unusual circumstances noted above.

Personally I'd leave out the following in preference to Bairstow (in this order - assuming it is indeed expected to be a raging turner):

- Curran: We have 5.5 bowlers already, and certainly don't need a 3rd seamer on a spinners paradise. Yes he can bat and bowl but we need proper batsmen to get big scores
- Burns: Tough on him but he's not being dropped for performance, rather it's because someone is returning. Bairstow would open. Who actually thinks Burns is a better batsman than Bairstow? How didn't get picked during the Jennings nightmare of the summer, showing the selectors can't think he's that good.
- Buttler: By what measure is Buttler now considered a better batsman than Bairstow? Maybe recent stats, I genuinely don't know, but Buttler has had it easier down the order anyway.

Obviously Root (best player) Jennings and Foulkes (performance in last test) can't be left out, and Stokes and Anderson are just too good.

As said previously though, if we leave a spinner out it's very easy - Bairstow comes in for him. Talk of Broad or Stone is absolute madness.

[liquidfootball2]

Excellent you've made it Ooozzzie, that journey sounds pretty scary, I would have needed the vodka to get over the experience, seems as if that rocket you gave him did the trick though, still something to talk about at lunchtime.



Wearing your Gloucestershire cap, brilliant - I'll keep an eye out and see if I can spot it in the stand anytime the ball gets near.

(- hopefully a few sixes from our hitters, we can only hope.)

On the pitch and lineup (source cricinfo)

The track in Pallekele looks dry so it will probably turn. If there is a touch of rain in the mountain air it could swing as well. But even if the pitch starts spitting fire, and a blizzard rolls through, England might still feel confident. They feel as if they have an attack for all seasons.

Cloudy skies and a new ball in hand? Have a bit of James Anderson, who bowls like he has pictures of the clouds in uncompromising positions, and so will exploit them relentlessly. Think you can handle Anderson? Well, try a bit of Sam Curran for the left-arm angle. Or why not Ben Stokes, who bowls vicious bouncers with the new ball, and gets reverse with the older one?

And so what if Adil Rashid is having an off day? Moeen Ali and Jack Leach are still around. Not even the England camp will claim these are exceptional spinners, but the way Sri Lanka batted in Galle, they don't have to be.

With Moeen's new action, his right elbow no longer sticking out like a wing mirror at delivery, his bowling is far more controlled and menacing. As an orthodox off spinner he doesn't have a leg spinner's magic ball that really fizzes but does tweak it hard and gets appreciable turn and bounce on drier decks.

England have the luxury of having all bases covered whatever the surface and whatever the weather.

The toss is in the lap of the gods but absolutely crucial, far more so than for an ordinary run of the mill test, Sri Lanka seem to be gambling all on winning it.

It would be possible to win batting second but a herculean task and against all the odds, we have to hope Joe can make it seven from seven.

[liquidfootball2]

Sorry, I now have time for a longer reply.

I agree the selectors did really well over the summer - I thought they'd made a lot of mistakes but the players I'd have left out generally did really well so hats off them. It was an unusual situation though, where we had fewer possible batting candidates than, well, ever. They went for all rounders on the basis they wouldn't be much worse with the bat and it worked, generally. How Jennings kept his place I'll never know though.

Now we have the bizarre situation that one of the very few actual batsmen we have available isn't going to be picked, despite the unusual circumstances noted above.

Personally I'd leave out the following in preference to Bairstow (in this order - assuming it is indeed expected to be a raging turner):

- Curran: We have 5.5 bowlers already, and certainly don't need a 3rd seamer on a spinners paradise. Yes he can bat and bowl but we need proper batsmen to get big scores
- Burns: Tough on him but he's not being dropped for performance, rather it's because someone is returning. Bairstow would open. Who actually thinks Burns is a better batsman than Bairstow? How didn't get picked during the Jennings nightmare of the summer, showing the selectors can't think he's that good.
- Buttler: By what measure is Buttler now considered a better batsman than Bairstow? Maybe recent stats, I genuinely don't know, but Buttler has had it easier down the order anyway.

Obviously Root (best player) Jennings and Foulkes (performance in last test) can't be left out, and Stokes and Anderson are just too good.

As said previously though, if we leave a spinner out it's very easy - Bairstow comes in for him. Talk of Broad or Stone is absolute madness.

Yes those options seem fair enough and definitely very valid alternatives.

I think they all must have been discussed at length in what must gave been a very difficult decision. Leaving such a batsman as talented as Jonny Bairstow out after all he's shown and done for England, even for one test, won't have been done easily. It is something that could turnout to be the wrong decision too. Curran and Burns as well as Rashid could easily have been unlucky.

The dry pitch, far drier than expected seems to have settled the three spinners conundrum and the possibility of another seamer being needed in the event of a change in the weather may have given Curran his place. Bairstow opening was possible but Bayliss apparently wants Burns for the long haul and recognizes his ability to cement his place.

Jonny will definitely be back for the next test if we win and certainly the West Indies leg as only two spinners will be needed, so very tough to take but he's very much still one of our goto batsmen.

[forestfan]

Bairstow’s been shit in Test cricket for most of this year. He hasn’t made 20 in any of his last six innings... and if you get injured you’re no longer the man in possession. He’s unlucky to be in a role where we’re spoilt for options but he has to earn his place back, simple as that. We can’t carry three keeper-batsmen who don’t have the technique to bat higher than 5.

[hancockjr]

Seriously 6 innings?? I remember when selectors used to use short term thinking like that (though not sure it was ever as short as 6 innings) and the trouble English cricket found themselves in as a result.

[forestfan]

Seriously 6 innings?? I remember when selectors used to use short term thinking like that (though not sure it was ever as short as 6 innings) and the trouble English cricket found themselves in as a result.

Well I’m not solely referring to those 6 innings. In 2018 he averages 27, that’s not good enough to hold down a spot as a specialist Test batsman, last year he averaged 34, that’s barely good enough. That’s a run of 21 Tests averaging around the 30 mark.

If you’re the keeper batting at 7 that’s closer to par for the course, but if there’s competition for that place, he then has to justify his place as a specialist batsman, and isn’t currently doing that.

[hancockjr]

216-8. Still can’t help feeling another batsman wouldn’t have gone amiss (edit- even if Curran is getting some runs).

[hancockjr]

On Cricinfo:

"Instead of this merry go round from ENG at No.3, they should try Curran. He says he wants to bat higher and technically there aren't too many better than him in ENG side. Worth a go," hoots Pradipto. On this evidence, who would argue

[liquidfootball2]

Well done Sam Curran

This pitch will only deteriorate, its spinning now, its far from easy.

This is an absolutely crucial toss to win

[liquidfootball2]

Sam Curran's hitting on what is increasingly looking a spining wicket has put England in a supremely dominant position.

George Dobell (cricinfo) writes...

'If there was any doubt how much assistance the surface in Pallekele would provide for spinners in this match - and there really wasn't very much - it was banished within a few minutes of the start of the second Test.

The first and final balls of the second over of the innings, bowled by offspinner Dilruwan Perera, fizzed past the outside edge of Rory Burns' bat. By the close, 10 of the 11 wickets to fall had been taken by spinners with few more dramatic than the last - Kaushal Silva being bowled by a beauty from Jack Leach that drew him forward, gripped and turned past the outside edge to clip the top of off stump. Not many are expecting to be here on Sunday.'

While 285 isn't a spectacular score, and maybe only slightly above par batting first, it was the pace of scoring while the wicket was at least in some way playable that could prove crucial. They were looking for shots without being totally wreckless and although, as always, there were tough moments, I thought they got it just about right.

That delivery which dismissed Silva told you everything, in fact Leach himself was dismissed by a marvellous delivery himself when batting.

I would expect 150-180 to be a decent score batting second and for the match to be all but over.

Even thunderstorms may not make much difference as England cover all bases and the wicket will only get worse

England absolutely huge favourites to win this game

[ooozzzie]

Its quite a tuk tuk trip to the ground from Kandy it is 40 minutes. I left quite early but paid for it later in the day, I was shattered it was very hot, I left with an hour to go, didn't miss loads though. Highlight of the day easily was Sam Curran, he batted brilliantly. Taking the singles when he needed one, he could take those all day long. Then his big hitting, he can smack it when he wants to as well. A delight to watch and you can see why Broad might be worried, because he is a far better batsman and still takes a few wickets. Best player today. We still have Woakes as well, so things are looking pretty good. Top order didn't get enough but we got a fair score and its going to be interesting in the morning to see if we can get a few wickets.

[Ducks Deluxe]

Good to hear from you,Ooozzzie! 40 minutes in a Tuk Tuk is a pretty scary prospect...
hold on tight!

Glad you enjoyed the play...I seem to remember saying some time ago that the Currrans and the Overtons could be the bowling bedrock for the future...

Have fun!

DD...

Is it just me or are posts being formatted in a rather strange manner?

[liquidfootball2]

Good to hear from you,Ooozzzie! 40 minutes in a Tuk Tuk is a pretty scary prospect...
hold on tight!

Glad you enjoyed the play...I seem to remember saying some time ago that the Currrans and the Overtons could be the bowling bedrock for the future...

Have fun!

DD...

Is it just me or are posts being formatted in a rather strange manner?

Not just you DD, i'm now using the Tapatalk app on my mobile which at least formats it correctly, everything seems to be centred on the desktop with no left side alignment.

-------------------------------------------------------------

I have to say I do like what I've seen from this trio of spinners in this test series...

Leach is naggingly accurate and takes the ball away from the right hander. He might not bowl the big glamorous turners, but a captain can settle him in at 1 end for an hour in the confidence he'll go at 2 or 3 an over and pick up a couple of wickets too.

Moeen brings the ball into the right handers and away from the lefties, with the ability to give it a rip. You do still get that occasional bad ball from Mo, but we've seen of late he's not shy when it comes to nipping in with 3 or 4 wickets.

Rashid gives Root a bit of unpredictability, can turn it both ways and bowl some magic deliveries. Again, he'll give some dross at times, but when he gets it right can be unplayable.

It's not often I sit back and enjoy watching England in turning conditions, but when we've got runs to play with, watching the spinners operate with men around the bat - it's a rare joy. Every ball is an event worthy of an Oooo or an Aaahhh.

As far as the game situation goes,I think it was fairly even for a long time today, but I feel Sri Lanka really let themselves down after Buttler got out at 171-7.

To let England's tail score another 114 runs was poor and the tactics at the last pair were absolutely dismal.

If England get bowled out for 200-230 (as they probably should've been) it looks a much more even contest, but that last stand of 60 along with Sri Lanka having to bat last on a wearing pitch... it feels like it's England's game to lose already.

I wouldn't be surprised to wake up at lunch to see Sri Lanka 100-6.

[liquidfootball2]

I thought what could well have turned out to be a key moment of the middle session was Ben Foakes walking off caught at slip when it seemed he didn't even lay a bat on it.

1) He was hit comfortably outside off stump so the dismissal was caught behind.

2) He didn't hit it, there was daylight between the ball and the sweeping bat.

Did he forget there are reviews in test cricket, and just for a minute or two thought he was back playing for Surrey? -

Test cricket son, reviews, use them!


I don't know whether the celebrations convinced him he had hit it and was out, but that was quite extraordinary considering he clearly missed it.

The umpire took his time raising the finger and with 2 reviews left and not that many good batters remaining - you might as well try the review if there's even a shade of doubt.

A real rookie error on his part there.

Stuart Broad please have a word with him!

[liquidfootball2]

You really have to say hats off to Sri Lanka that was their best day of the tour by a country mile.

England really struggled to dismiss the lower order. I guess that will teach me for feeling so optimistic about England in the subcontinent.

Sri Lanka haven't listened to my script, and that 46 run lead could prove absolutely crucial. They are still batting last on this wicket and more than likely still have a disadvantage in that sense, but with that lead they have now given themselves every chance. If they pull off a victory it will be one that has been done the hard way and against all the odds.

England were out 'Englanded' in a way -165-6 to 336 all out.

Sri Lanka have a lead largely thanks new man Roshen Silva's resolute 85, although there were other notable efforts too including a watchful 63 from opener Karanuratne and a graceful 59 from Dhananjaya de Silva who had earlier set the tone.

England might still be grateful to Ben Stokes who produced a moment of brilliance, with a fantastic run out, complete with one handed take and throw in one motion. Followed by a one handed super grab at slip off Leach.

(Sam Curran had a side strain and could hardly bowl today with the spinners taking all nine wickets other than the run out)

Well done Sri Lanka

Its fairly even as to who might win now with Sri Lanka marginally favourites

Sri Lanka 3/4, England 6/4, draw 12/1

[ooozzzie]

Yes it certainly was Sri Lanka's day, they batted well. I didn't know Curran had a side strain was wondering why he didn't bowl much, thought he was sticking to the spinners because they seem to be the only ones taking wickets. Obviously we always next session is the most important, well it our Innings is the key to who wins this that is for sure.

Yes the Tuk Tuk ride is pretty dodgy, lucky that I and another chap go with a very good Tuk Tuk driver he is great and we have tipping him well. Nice chap and drives slowly, perfect. Some of the overtaking today was just a miracle there wasn't a head on collision, lorries and buses overtaking on blind bends, not just the odd one, there must have been 10 or 12 instances. Great place and people but the roads are just horrific.

I am not to the 4th day, decided to go Columbo on the train and stay couple of nights there before I fly back to Thailand on Monday, going to chill out. It is a long day in the heat with the extra travelling as well. Went for a chinese last night, that was an experience, shame they can't tell chicken from pork.

Anyway this could be a tight ending here, real cricket as they say, the England fans again a complete credit to cricket and country, just sitting quietly watching the game all day. Applauding both sides. The Sri Lankans appreciate that. I have got chatting to quite a few, I bought a round of drinks for them on the first day, kept getting beers back all day today. One guy did have his phone stolen, but has got it back and there has been an arrest, so you do have to be careful and the quiet ones you have to watch. Don't let anyone stand to close to you. Its the younger ones as well. Think I had one guy in particular getting a bit close to the phone in my pocket today, but I moved it. And gave him a death stare and he moved on.

Not sure who is going to win this. But will make Columbo interesting if SL do.

[liquidfootball2]

Could have done without Ali and Rashid having their legs chopped off by the umpires, one poor decision from each umpire, but this is a very strong position.

With Jimmy's century still to come to add to captain Joe Roots 124, it could get better. Ben Foakes still there on 50 plus not out.

Lead is 278 with the last wicket pair in, off for lightening so probably it for the day.

The odds

Sri Lanka 31/10, England 3/8

England lost six wickets to the sweep and two to umpiring mistakes

[liquidfootball2]

I think the weather will see the day end prematurely, but that's got to represent a good one for England, all things considered. Even if they're all out first ball tomorrow, 280 odd batting last on a worn, spinning surface ought to take some getting especially with the pressure of saving a home series.

I wasn't up to see Rory Burns but I heard Michael Atherton say he thought his was the most impressive knock today, which takes some doing when Root made an excellent hundred - one of his best in quite a while (if not his best ever?).

Being England, they do give you jitters along the way, twice losing wickets in clusters to haul back stronger positions, but thanks to Burns, Root and Foakes - England are in the driving seat and have a good opportunity to get a good series win under their belt.

Bit of a shame the weather popped the party as I would've fancied a couple of new ball wickets from Jimmy in those moody stormy conditions we had in the last half hour although possibly bad light would have meant it was impossible anyway.

[liquidfootball2]

There have been some big fourth innings chases at Pallekele, notably Pakistan chasing down 380 odd for only a few wickets lost, so why the confidence?

The key to why this is quite different is the Sri Lankan board's desperate need for a win, a spinning wicket was essential. Sri Lanka couldn't afford a 600-3d vs 700-2 match, they needed a result wicket and a turning one gave them their best chance, this has been prepared to order.

Normally the pitch flattens and hardly does anything as the match goes on, often ending up as flat as a road.

This pitch though is quite different from a normal Pallekele one, you only had to see the odd one turning on day one, even if slowish turn. Sri Lanka behind in the series have gambled all on this match, they had desperately hoped to win the toss but didn't. The groundsman has prepared a very dry wicket and although due to spin at both ends there are no foot marks roughing up patches, the odd one is hitting a crack and this will be a mighty uphill task to chase this down. Uneven bounce and increasing levels of turn look very likely to be available.

The stormy weather and rain could also make the wicket sticky, with some sticking in the pitch, some not getting up while others hit cracks. Even Jimmy could find help early on if it's been under cover all night and sweated.

Looking at past chases and fourth innings scores in Pallekele is a largely futile exercise because of the completely different nature of the wicket. it was far drier than expected even on day one. England gambled as they knew you can't survive indefinitely on the third and fourth day (tomorrow), an 'out' ball would be along shortly, so getting the runs as fast as you can rather than cautious prodding was the order of the day. They have literally swept themselves into this strong position.

It is why the 'everyone getting out to the sweep shot' statistic is such an anomaly to the norm and can be safely ignored. They were using the sweep shot, of both varieties, at as many as four balls in some overs. If you play any shot so often and make it the stroke of choice for the majority of your scoring and therefore the majority of higher risk shots, then you are more likely to be dismissed by playing it eventually.

What England really did by their pre determined policy to play positively was spread the field, lose the close catches and make scoring with any shots far easier. They have come out on the right side of the risk/reward equation and it's worked.

[ooozzzie]

Well Englands day, Joe Roots day. Its still raining here at 10pm its not lashing it down just steady but who knows what it will be like in the morning. Its supposed to be an early start but that is unlikely. There is still loads of time left, so confident of England win, if Sri Lanka get this then it will be amazing.

Thats me, no more live Cricket decided to have 2 days in Columbo, getting the train tomorrow. Great place but having travelled a lot of places the roads and driving here, are the worst!, Loverly people very friendly.... until they start driving completely mad. Shame. But I have never seen anything like it. Even Vietnam.

It was funny in the Tuk Tuk though we said England scored 290, the driver was going 285, so trying to explain the 5 extra runs it wasnt easy I can tell you. ..... Took about 20 minutes...or. 2 miles! Still dont think he really understood!

England cant lose from here surely. England have played well. BAR some daft reviews Ben Stokes with Joe Root at the other end...come on Joe that was LBW no way it was not out. Then later we needed that review.

[liquidfootball2]

Yes Ooozzzie early and needless gambling has really cost the team today. It's almost as if when a batsman is given out he just doesn't want to believe it, and so he spins the wheel of fortune in a last forlorn hope that just something, anything might be discovered that lets him back in.

These kneejerk 'no hope' reviews need to stop and a more considered approach taken. Reviews are for overturning the howlers and sure enough they came, poor Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid the victims this time after umpiring mistakes.

Add to that the 'brainfade' Ben Foakes possibly suffered when not reviewing in the first innings and the whole business of their 'when to review' decision making needs to be looked at.

I think in Ben's case it was possibly just completely forgetting test cricket unlike county cricket does have reviews (when not already wasted), but hopefully something he can take on board in the future.

(Or should that be take on 'bRoad' in the future, Stuart would review! )

Sri Lanka and the excitable Dickwella want to review anytime the ball goes near the pad, and Sri Lanka have wasted theirs too, but so far without any regrets. The acting skipper Lakmal should be thinking twice before taking his keeper's opinion seriously.

Really enjoyed your series of posts Ooozzzie, and it sounds as if you enjoyed Sri Lanka and the cricket, bar the crazy drivers that is.

[forestfan]

Yeah, less umpiring howlers, more pissing away reviews.

By all means review if you’re the last batsman of note. Or if you’re the tenth wicket, review even if your middle stump is cartwheeling, as it might be a no-ball (why don’t teams do that as standard if they have one left?) But they seem to have had a case of the Shane Watsons today.

[ooozzzie]

I am sure reviews were the main topic of conversation in the dressing room yesterday evening. The weather here this morning at 7am is cooler, low cloud, however that is clearing quickly, the sun has almost broken though, so should start on time I would think. Grass will be very wet for the supporters. I am not going to day, off to Colombo on the train. Had a choice stay till Monday and get a car straight to the airport, or go on the picturesque train trip a day or two earlier. Getting a hotel for 1 night isn't really worth it so going today. Should be able keep an eye on the Cricket on the train as the 4G signal is pretty good.

[liquidfootball2]

It may not have been of the best quality throughout its entirety, and there has been poor cricket from both sides at times, but for unexpected twists and turns this test match has been right up there.

England have been in dominant positions on more than one occasion only for the pendulum to swing and suddenly Sri Lanka look favourites. At tea with Angelo Mathews batting like the colossus he used to be several years ago and magnificently defiant, 82 were needed with only five in the hutch, it looked all over and the decisive blow had been struck, however the 20 balls after tea have given the lie to all that, in those 20 deliveries England took two monumental strides, and the game's outlook was transformed once again.

The first blow after the break was struck by Moeen Ali, who had bowled beautifully just before the break as well. Third ball, he trapped Mathews in front of the stumps for 88 - the second occasion in the series in which Mathews has been out in the over after tea. The next wicket went to Jack Leach, who looped one into Dilruwan Perera's boot and raised a successful lbw appeal, the batsman having just plain missed it.

The occasional ball still took off from a length for the spinners, but it seemed to have slowed down quite a bit, meaning that batting was still difficult, but perhaps not as arduous as it had been on days two and three. Dananjaya and Lakmal were involved in partnerships worth 56 and 28 in the first innings, but on this occasion, they will be batting with a less secure senior batsman in Dickwella, and also have to contend with the intense pressure of a run chase.

The odds although it's by no means over

England 1/5, Sri Lanka 5/1, Draw 20/1