The Sri Lanka Files
By Bagpuss December 29 2007
Bagpuss has been posting in the forum from the tests in Asia and in order to keep these for posterity I am moving them to the frontpages so they can be accessed later and read for pleasure now. We had reached Day 2 or the second test when we left our intrepid reporter.
Bagpuss has been posting in the forum from the tests in Asia and in order to keep these for posterity I am moving them to the frontpages so they can be accessed later and read for pleasure now. We had reached Day 2 or the second test when we left our intrepid reporter.
SRI LANKA v ENGLAND SECOND TEST
SINGHHALESE SPORTS CLUB, COLOMBO 9–13 DECEMBER 2007
DAY 3
Oh dear. This is going to be brief I'm afraid. Haven't got the stamina for a full account of the day – it was bad enough sitting through it, never mind reliving the minutiae.
The weather was pretty hot and humid, blue skies, a little high cloud and a strongish breeze at start of play, still by lunch and through the afternoon session then cooled marginally midway through the final session. (Note to self - this is all a bit subjective maybe I should pack a thermometer next tour)
The batters were on top all day. Vandort reached his fourth Test hundred (180 balls; 15x4) whilst Jayawardene took his time reaching 50 (125, 6), accelerated to his 16th (I think) Test century (203; 9), hit the first 6 of the match in his 150 (309; 12/1) and finished the day 167 not out. Didn't seem to break sweat whilst overtaking Jayasuriya as Sri Lanka's leading test run scorer. The partnership between the two put on 227 runs in about 72 demoralising and luckless overs for England. Silva may have been dismissed a run short of his half century – small fry in the context of this innings – but added another 128 with Jayawardene having been promoted above Mubarak.
The bowlers on the whole made the best of unhelpful conditions and a lifeless pitch. Harmison was the pick of the day – after his first few overs of the morning which were a bit too wide to make the batsmen play. Consistently getting more bounce out of the pitch than any other bowler he was able to make all the batters look uncomfortable at times. Had to wait a long time for the reward of a wicket, Silva fending off a ball and only succeeding to lobbing it to Bopara at point. Panesar was probably the most disappointing. Generally a bit short, Vandort was particularly fond of cutting him square and never seemed able to stem the flow of runs – not a problem he has had to deal with much in the past. However, although admittedly my concentration did wander, I never noticed him resorting to the left-arm-over-the-wicket negative tactics of his predecessor. Surprise package of the day, worryingly for the England batsmen at some stage tomorrow, was Pietersen whose offspinners turned a long way and did cause some problems. Murali would have been looking on with that famous grin of his in anticipation. Sidebottom added another wicket to his two so long ago yesterday, getting Vandort plumb lbw playing across the line. The Barmy Army may have claimed the wicket as their own, having been roused form silence to sing five minutes previously. I suspect the fact that the ball was only three deliveries old may have had a little more to do with it.
The fielders chased leather relentlessly all day with few lapses of concentration. However there were several occasions when possible catches did not carry – three or four of these behind the wicket. Maybe the slips – led by the keeper – should have come a stride closer. Big gold star of the day goes to Ian Bell who, having seemingly taken a catch at slip, immediately signalled to the umpire he had not taken it cleanly.
Any other business . . . Today marked the occasion of this tour's Dawn Patrol. A reasonably select group from the Barmy Army, attired in dress varying from fancy to truly fanciful, meet for an early breakfast – traditional Sri Lankan or what goes in this place for a Full English. Liquid refreshment in the form of gin and tonic (good for malaria if not the liver) is taken in some quantity. Just in case you were wondering why Bill the Trumpeter hit more wrong notes in one day than the entire Ashes tour last year . . . By mid afternoon the nimble fingers were back on top form as we were entertained by renditions of many Christmas songs, film and TV themes, including an updated version of the Twelve days of Christmas, lyrics by a Gentleman of Kernow whose attire is neither itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny nor yellow-polka-dot but is definitely a bikini – he was told so when arrested for wearing it!
On the first day of Christmas my Vaughany gave to me
A win at the SSC
On the second day of Christmas my Vaughany gave to me
Two cheating umpires
On the third day of Christmas my Vaughany gave to me
Three proud lions
On the fourth day of Christmas my Vaughany gave to me
Four more runs
On the fifth day of Christmas my Vaughany gave to me
Five days in Galle (we hope)
On the sixth day of Christmas my Vaughany gave to me
Six beers per placard
On the seventh day of Christmas my Vaughany gave to me
Seven in a tuk-tuk
On the eighth day of Christmas my Vaughany gave to me
Eight weeks of tablets
On the ninth day of Christmas my Vaughany gave to me
Nine shots of Arrack
On the tenth day of Christmas my Vaughany gave to me
Ten cheap wickets
On the eleventh day of Christmas my Vaughany gave to me
Eleven dodgy curries
On the twelfth day of Christmas my Vaughany gave to me
Twelve luke-warm Lions
It certainly amused Aleem Dar, who turned to applaud from square leg!
The state of the match. England are in danger of going to Galle with the series gone. Sri Lanka are looking to bat only once then give Murali as long as he likes to bamboozle all before him. Large cracks are appearing in this pitch. Where today we saw little signs of life by day five it could be breaking up into a minefield. But if England can somehow dismiss Sri Lanka by lunch or soon after tomorrow then somehow resist Murali for long enough to build a lead of say 220 then Sri Lanka may not fancy a run chase in the final couple of sessions. Harmison could prove a handful on a day 5 pitch that is breaking up. But of course, a draw would suit Sri Lanka far more than England. And I have seen one weather forecast with rain over Sri Lanka on Wednesday.
PS. Streaker update The day 1 streaker was indeed the first to be seen at a test match in Sri Lanka. He appeared in court yesterday and was fined 5000 Sri Lankan rupees. At current exchange rates that is, ooh, a little under eighteen pounds. Or less than you'd expect to pay to watch just one day's cricket at a test match of your choice in England next summer. In fact, with the advertised (at English test grounds) fine for encroaching on the outfield (clothed or not) being a thousand pounds, it is actually cheaper to buy a return flight to Colombo and streak here. And the weather is more suited.
Just make sure you pack plenty of Factor 30 . . . .
SINGHHALESE SPORTS CLUB, COLOMBO 9–13 DECEMBER 2007
DAY 3
Oh dear. This is going to be brief I'm afraid. Haven't got the stamina for a full account of the day – it was bad enough sitting through it, never mind reliving the minutiae.
The weather was pretty hot and humid, blue skies, a little high cloud and a strongish breeze at start of play, still by lunch and through the afternoon session then cooled marginally midway through the final session. (Note to self - this is all a bit subjective maybe I should pack a thermometer next tour)
The batters were on top all day. Vandort reached his fourth Test hundred (180 balls; 15x4) whilst Jayawardene took his time reaching 50 (125, 6), accelerated to his 16th (I think) Test century (203; 9), hit the first 6 of the match in his 150 (309; 12/1) and finished the day 167 not out. Didn't seem to break sweat whilst overtaking Jayasuriya as Sri Lanka's leading test run scorer. The partnership between the two put on 227 runs in about 72 demoralising and luckless overs for England. Silva may have been dismissed a run short of his half century – small fry in the context of this innings – but added another 128 with Jayawardene having been promoted above Mubarak.
The bowlers on the whole made the best of unhelpful conditions and a lifeless pitch. Harmison was the pick of the day – after his first few overs of the morning which were a bit too wide to make the batsmen play. Consistently getting more bounce out of the pitch than any other bowler he was able to make all the batters look uncomfortable at times. Had to wait a long time for the reward of a wicket, Silva fending off a ball and only succeeding to lobbing it to Bopara at point. Panesar was probably the most disappointing. Generally a bit short, Vandort was particularly fond of cutting him square and never seemed able to stem the flow of runs – not a problem he has had to deal with much in the past. However, although admittedly my concentration did wander, I never noticed him resorting to the left-arm-over-the-wicket negative tactics of his predecessor. Surprise package of the day, worryingly for the England batsmen at some stage tomorrow, was Pietersen whose offspinners turned a long way and did cause some problems. Murali would have been looking on with that famous grin of his in anticipation. Sidebottom added another wicket to his two so long ago yesterday, getting Vandort plumb lbw playing across the line. The Barmy Army may have claimed the wicket as their own, having been roused form silence to sing five minutes previously. I suspect the fact that the ball was only three deliveries old may have had a little more to do with it.
The fielders chased leather relentlessly all day with few lapses of concentration. However there were several occasions when possible catches did not carry – three or four of these behind the wicket. Maybe the slips – led by the keeper – should have come a stride closer. Big gold star of the day goes to Ian Bell who, having seemingly taken a catch at slip, immediately signalled to the umpire he had not taken it cleanly.
Any other business . . . Today marked the occasion of this tour's Dawn Patrol. A reasonably select group from the Barmy Army, attired in dress varying from fancy to truly fanciful, meet for an early breakfast – traditional Sri Lankan or what goes in this place for a Full English. Liquid refreshment in the form of gin and tonic (good for malaria if not the liver) is taken in some quantity. Just in case you were wondering why Bill the Trumpeter hit more wrong notes in one day than the entire Ashes tour last year . . . By mid afternoon the nimble fingers were back on top form as we were entertained by renditions of many Christmas songs, film and TV themes, including an updated version of the Twelve days of Christmas, lyrics by a Gentleman of Kernow whose attire is neither itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny nor yellow-polka-dot but is definitely a bikini – he was told so when arrested for wearing it!
On the first day of Christmas my Vaughany gave to me
A win at the SSC
On the second day of Christmas my Vaughany gave to me
Two cheating umpires
On the third day of Christmas my Vaughany gave to me
Three proud lions
On the fourth day of Christmas my Vaughany gave to me
Four more runs
On the fifth day of Christmas my Vaughany gave to me
Five days in Galle (we hope)
On the sixth day of Christmas my Vaughany gave to me
Six beers per placard
On the seventh day of Christmas my Vaughany gave to me
Seven in a tuk-tuk
On the eighth day of Christmas my Vaughany gave to me
Eight weeks of tablets
On the ninth day of Christmas my Vaughany gave to me
Nine shots of Arrack
On the tenth day of Christmas my Vaughany gave to me
Ten cheap wickets
On the eleventh day of Christmas my Vaughany gave to me
Eleven dodgy curries
On the twelfth day of Christmas my Vaughany gave to me
Twelve luke-warm Lions
It certainly amused Aleem Dar, who turned to applaud from square leg!
The state of the match. England are in danger of going to Galle with the series gone. Sri Lanka are looking to bat only once then give Murali as long as he likes to bamboozle all before him. Large cracks are appearing in this pitch. Where today we saw little signs of life by day five it could be breaking up into a minefield. But if England can somehow dismiss Sri Lanka by lunch or soon after tomorrow then somehow resist Murali for long enough to build a lead of say 220 then Sri Lanka may not fancy a run chase in the final couple of sessions. Harmison could prove a handful on a day 5 pitch that is breaking up. But of course, a draw would suit Sri Lanka far more than England. And I have seen one weather forecast with rain over Sri Lanka on Wednesday.
PS. Streaker update The day 1 streaker was indeed the first to be seen at a test match in Sri Lanka. He appeared in court yesterday and was fined 5000 Sri Lankan rupees. At current exchange rates that is, ooh, a little under eighteen pounds. Or less than you'd expect to pay to watch just one day's cricket at a test match of your choice in England next summer. In fact, with the advertised (at English test grounds) fine for encroaching on the outfield (clothed or not) being a thousand pounds, it is actually cheaper to buy a return flight to Colombo and streak here. And the weather is more suited.
Just make sure you pack plenty of Factor 30 . . . .
The 'Jim'll Fix It" tune did have altered lyrics but nothing to do with any player and has long since relapsed to the original. It is sung to encourage Vic Flowers, otherwise known as Jimmy because of a certain resemblance, to lead the Army in a sing song. Oh, and I'm trying to find out if the streaker is being deported. Hope so - otherwise he's getting away with a thousand rupees less than it cost me for a visa for an extra 3 days! And if anyone was listening to TMS earlier today the streaker DID NOT come from the Barmt Army section of the ground!
DAY 4
There are a few clouds around this morning and the BBC World weather forecast last night – hardly local in content – showed a big bank of cloud over most of Sri Lanka today. Rain later in the day is a distinct possibility.
Those of a nervous disposition may have wondered what else may be coming our way as security around southern Colombo and the business district is heightened today. Buses carrying tour groups to the ground from Mount Lavinia are stopped and fliers handed to passengers requesting that they Watch Out for ownerless Bags, Parcels and Vehicles, Avoid touching them, Move Away to a Safe Distance and as others to Move Away too. Phone numbers are given to inform the authorities – the Ministry of Defence, the Police Emergency Unit and Headquarters and the Army Bomb Delousing Unit. Never mind the Parcels, I'm a bit worried about Suicide Cockroaches.
The England cricket team, however, are unfazed by further entomological threats after their attack of the killer bees in Kandy. Harmison and Sidebottom open proceedings this morning and in the ninth over of the morning Harmison gets one to lift viciously at Mubarak who fends the ball off his nose to Bell at backward point. 399-5 which becomes 400 off the next ball. Harmison bowls a good 6 over spell without further luck to be replaced by Broad, whilst Monty comes on at the other end. Jayawardene hasn't been as fluent as yesterday and pays the price for a big slog at the spinner, getting a top edge that second slip Collingwood calls for and takes.
Captain gone for 195 and Sri Lanka 420-6. Panesar thinks he may have got Chaminda Vaas first ball but unfortunately Aleem Dar was not convinced.
Vaas survives to become the first Test wicket for Stuart Broad, caught by Bell in his 29th over of the innings. As Sri Lanka go to lunch on 439-7 England must have entertained hopes they could keep the first innings lead to around a hundred, in which case, game on.
Panesar and Broad bowl the seven overs immediately after lunch before the new ball is due with the added bonus of taking the eighth wicket – Malinga lbw to Panesar to reduce (?!) Sri Lanka to 450-8. The lead is still under a hundred (ok, 99) and the new ball is due in 4...3...2...1 overs.
The new ball is taken after two balls of the 161st over. Harmison working up some fight and Sidebottom at the other end. Cmon lads knock over these last two.
Nothing.
Zilch.
Diddly squat.
Vaughan tries Panesar when the new ball is just seven overs old. Then Broad. Then Pietersen and then Bopara. Much scraping was going on in the depths of the England barrel but nothing was shifting Jayawardana or Fernando. To be fair, Pietersen should have got his man as an lbw appeal is turned down against Fernando even though he was hit on the back leg, then very next ball Prior fluffs the stumping. But the ninth wicket pair go on to add 98 runs before, after the tea interval, Jayawardana has a big swipe at Harmison and gets a thinnish edge through to Prior. No doubt wishing to avoid any confrontation between a Harmison delivery and the valuable fingers of Muralitharan, the Sri Lankans declare on 548-9, a lead of 197.
Cook and Vaughan have a potentially tricky 28 or so overs to survive this evening, though with heavy cloud the light will probably fail earlier than this. By 4.20 the Barmy Army are singing 'its so dark its unbelievable' and five minutes later the umpires agree and offer the light – eagerly accepted. Soon after with spots of rain in the air play is officially abandoned for the day. England are 48 without loss – Cook 19 and Vaughan 28. Jayawardene has used his four main bowlers, plus an over from Mubarak to allow Vaas to switch ends, an none have caused a great deal of trouble. But there are only two likely results tomorrow.
DAY 4
There are a few clouds around this morning and the BBC World weather forecast last night – hardly local in content – showed a big bank of cloud over most of Sri Lanka today. Rain later in the day is a distinct possibility.
Those of a nervous disposition may have wondered what else may be coming our way as security around southern Colombo and the business district is heightened today. Buses carrying tour groups to the ground from Mount Lavinia are stopped and fliers handed to passengers requesting that they Watch Out for ownerless Bags, Parcels and Vehicles, Avoid touching them, Move Away to a Safe Distance and as others to Move Away too. Phone numbers are given to inform the authorities – the Ministry of Defence, the Police Emergency Unit and Headquarters and the Army Bomb Delousing Unit. Never mind the Parcels, I'm a bit worried about Suicide Cockroaches.
The England cricket team, however, are unfazed by further entomological threats after their attack of the killer bees in Kandy. Harmison and Sidebottom open proceedings this morning and in the ninth over of the morning Harmison gets one to lift viciously at Mubarak who fends the ball off his nose to Bell at backward point. 399-5 which becomes 400 off the next ball. Harmison bowls a good 6 over spell without further luck to be replaced by Broad, whilst Monty comes on at the other end. Jayawardene hasn't been as fluent as yesterday and pays the price for a big slog at the spinner, getting a top edge that second slip Collingwood calls for and takes.
Captain gone for 195 and Sri Lanka 420-6. Panesar thinks he may have got Chaminda Vaas first ball but unfortunately Aleem Dar was not convinced.
Vaas survives to become the first Test wicket for Stuart Broad, caught by Bell in his 29th over of the innings. As Sri Lanka go to lunch on 439-7 England must have entertained hopes they could keep the first innings lead to around a hundred, in which case, game on.
Panesar and Broad bowl the seven overs immediately after lunch before the new ball is due with the added bonus of taking the eighth wicket – Malinga lbw to Panesar to reduce (?!) Sri Lanka to 450-8. The lead is still under a hundred (ok, 99) and the new ball is due in 4...3...2...1 overs.
The new ball is taken after two balls of the 161st over. Harmison working up some fight and Sidebottom at the other end. Cmon lads knock over these last two.
Nothing.
Zilch.
Diddly squat.
Vaughan tries Panesar when the new ball is just seven overs old. Then Broad. Then Pietersen and then Bopara. Much scraping was going on in the depths of the England barrel but nothing was shifting Jayawardana or Fernando. To be fair, Pietersen should have got his man as an lbw appeal is turned down against Fernando even though he was hit on the back leg, then very next ball Prior fluffs the stumping. But the ninth wicket pair go on to add 98 runs before, after the tea interval, Jayawardana has a big swipe at Harmison and gets a thinnish edge through to Prior. No doubt wishing to avoid any confrontation between a Harmison delivery and the valuable fingers of Muralitharan, the Sri Lankans declare on 548-9, a lead of 197.
Cook and Vaughan have a potentially tricky 28 or so overs to survive this evening, though with heavy cloud the light will probably fail earlier than this. By 4.20 the Barmy Army are singing 'its so dark its unbelievable' and five minutes later the umpires agree and offer the light – eagerly accepted. Soon after with spots of rain in the air play is officially abandoned for the day. England are 48 without loss – Cook 19 and Vaughan 28. Jayawardene has used his four main bowlers, plus an over from Mubarak to allow Vaas to switch ends, an none have caused a great deal of trouble. But there are only two likely results tomorrow.
DAY 5
The morning papers make amusing reading. One believes that the Sri Lankans have done England a favour by batting on for so long on day 4 (probably true). The other describes the current England bowlers as a bunch of up and down trundlers and bemoans the lack of England bowlers of the caliber of former greats Fred Trueman, Brian Statham, Jim Laker, Tony Lock and Derek Underwood. Great bowlers indeed all of the above named, but surely they could have come up with some more recent names to press their case – or has England cricket been in crisis for longer than we think. And I'm sure that Harmison, one time rated number one in the world, would be bemused to be described as such. Lacking satnav at times maybe, but a trundler? Especially as he has put in a decent performance here.
My attention is also drawn to a smaller paragraph on the back page. On Saturday a festival will be held to celebrate the opening of Hampton Village – created by a Sri Lankan resident in the UK – built to house a community made homeless by the tsunami. The England and Sri Lankan teams will be present at the opening as will the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board. Lord Giles Clark.
Have I missed something?
Back to the cricket. BBC World has a big blue rain cloud over Sri Lanka today and it is certainly very overcast this morning. England pass 50 in the first over of the morning, Cook and Vaughan are untroubled and Muralitharan is on for the first of what could be a lot of overs fifteen minutes before what was the original scheduled start of play. Vaas comes on but gets just one expensive over before Jayawardene decides to resurrect his international offspin bowling career in an attempt to give Murali some sort of controlled support. Three overs later he decides the plan wasn't such a great idea and brings on Fernando. Vaughan passes 50 (81; 7) and England reach their second century opening partnership of the match soon after. I wondered out loud to anyone who would listen when was the last time England managed this. I cannot claim responsibility for the statistical research behind this fact (my apologies to Andrew Miller on Cricinfo for copying his homework!) but the last time the same English opening partnership reached a hundred in both innings of a Test was in Adelaide '70/'71, Messrs Boycott and Edrich!
In the last over before the drinks interval Vaughan chips the ball straight back at Fernando who hangs on to the return catch. 107-1. Drinks are taken but meanwhile the clouds are gathering and the vast numbers of ground staff are hovering around the boundary. Spots of rain can be felt and at 11.10 the umpires decide to head for the pavilion.
The rain doesn't really come to much and twenty minutes later play resumes in time for Cook to reach 50 (97; 4), Chamara Silva to make his debut as a Test bowler (his only previous international experience being a few overs of legspin in the 20/20 world cup) and for England to pass 150 with a boundary off the last ball before lunch. England look calm in their task of saving this game.
Not so calm when Cook edges a legbreak to Jayawardene at slip first ball after lunch to give the amazed Silva his first test wicket.. But by 1.30 England have wiped out the first innings deficit, the Barmy Army can sing “you'[re not winning any more” and every run from here on in means Sri Lanka have to come out and get the same, plus one more, to secure the series before travelling on to Galle. Bell and Pietersen have put on 50 runs in 50 minutes, I consider it a good sign that Bell is outscoring his more flamboyant and impulsive partner, but it is Bell who has a rush of blood to the head, trying to hoist Murali of all people over long on and succeeding in presenting Vandort with a slightly tricky but safely taken catch. Bell out for 54, yet another innings where he has failed to turn fifty into a hundred. Cause for concern? Discuss.
England are far from out of the woods at 204-3 but Collingwood steadies the ship with Pietersen, adding 46 by the tea interval taking the total to 250-3 off 77 overs. Although you can never say never when mr slightly bendy elbow is around surely England have the draw nicely wrapped with pretty ribbon and about to be placed in the bag. OK so the new ball is due in just three overs, but remembering what an advantage – not – the shiny new ball was for England on day 4 I don't think it is likely to cause havoc.
The weather gods obviously thought so too. Getting a bit fed up with Jayawardene playing eeny-meeny-miney-mo with his team at each bowling change, they decided to empty half the contents of lake Windermere on the SSC. Although the covers were brought on, fitted more or less together over the square and much of the outfield, the boundary rope advertising covers were packed up and the TV cameras being dismantled, it took the authorities another half hour to officially call play off and announce the draw. At some time soon after the presentation must have taken place – maybe they found a nice dry room somewhere – but as is usual these days the paying public at the ground are disregarded when it comes to these made for TV occasions. I can only guess that Jayawardene was man-of-the-match.
So on we go to Galle . . .
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