Oracle of Delphi
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Craig HillThe Poms turn it around
May 29th 2006 08:37
After a wayward affair, England have converted their humiliating draw in the first test into a 6 wicket victory in the second against SrI Lanka. The Poms sealed the win on day 4 after a solid bowling display saw Sri Lanka be bundled out for a measly 231, after commencing the day on 5/194. Liam Plunkett showed what he was worth to the England selectors with a quickfire 3/17, which placed the home side in a very comfortable position only needing to chase 78 for the win. Opener Vandort and middle batsman Dilshan were the only Sri Lankan batsmen to shine both scoring 105 and 59 respectively, and gave the visitors some hope of setting a reasonable total for the Poms to chase before the Sri Lankans plummeted to their meagre score of 231.
Despite losing 4 quick wickets, the Poms chased down the 78 easily, with Cook scoring 34*, which helped steady the ship. However, it must be said that the match was an utterly disappointing display of batsmanship overall, with both sides failing to post respectable totals, and batsmen falling cheaply. Pieterson's brilliant 142 in the first innings turned out to be the main contributor to the English victory, with the last 5 wickets falling for a miserable 5 runs. The same can be said about the Sri Lankan batting display, with Vandort's 105 and his partnership with Dilshan in the second innings the only thing to be proud of. Sri Lankan's first innings was nothing short of abismal after being steamrolled for 141. However, it must be said that the bowling was consistent and top class (especially highlighted by Murali's outstanding 10 wicket haul), thus further accentuating the fact that batsmen were not on their game.
Let's hope the third and final test is more balanced and exciting affair. It begins this Friday (2-6 June) at Trent Bridge.
Plunkett blows away the Sri Lankan tail
Despite losing 4 quick wickets, the Poms chased down the 78 easily, with Cook scoring 34*, which helped steady the ship. However, it must be said that the match was an utterly disappointing display of batsmanship overall, with both sides failing to post respectable totals, and batsmen falling cheaply. Pieterson's brilliant 142 in the first innings turned out to be the main contributor to the English victory, with the last 5 wickets falling for a miserable 5 runs. The same can be said about the Sri Lankan batting display, with Vandort's 105 and his partnership with Dilshan in the second innings the only thing to be proud of. Sri Lankan's first innings was nothing short of abismal after being steamrolled for 141. However, it must be said that the bowling was consistent and top class (especially highlighted by Murali's outstanding 10 wicket haul), thus further accentuating the fact that batsmen were not on their game.
Murali the Magician on his way to another 10-wicket haul
Let's hope the third and final test is more balanced and exciting affair. It begins this Friday (2-6 June) at Trent Bridge.
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