England in Sri Lanka and West Indies

[AndyT]

The ball is turning a bit, so they are kind of right, but I wouldn't say it's a minefield needing a hit out or get out mentality, which is their inference. Just a good testing surface, IMHO.

Not seen loads this morning, but what I have seen has been interesting viewing.

 

[AndyT]

These last 3 wickets have added 70 runs now.

Extremely useful effort.

Just missed out with Rashid, though, Ricky. Was looking on for 50!

 

[Ricky Otto]

These last 3 wickets have added 70 runs now.

Extremely useful effort.

Just missed out with Rashid, though, Ricky. Was looking on for 50!

Yep I really shouldn't gamble, I'm not very good at it

 

[AndyT]

Should have gone for Curran, Ricky!

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Saw the Foakes dismissal when I got home from work (night shift) didn't think it looked out at the time but when he walked off I thought he must have nicked it, got nowhere near it!

 

[AndyT]

Yet to see the highlights, but I have caught a couple of dismissals on the TV and saw one other one live.

Moeen Ali looked like he was trying to sweep some leaves off his porch with that shot!

 

[AndyT]

Lead up past 100.

This is developing into a really interesting match.

 

[AndyT]

50 for Root batting, effectively, at number 3!!

 

[AndyT]

Buttler goes.

There can't be many players in test history out reverse sweeping in both innings!

 

[AndyT]

100 for Root batting, effectively, at number 3!!

 

[AndyT]

El collaspisco!

Akila Dananjaya has now taken six wickets in this innings.

Good news is he misses the final test to have a dodgy bowling action tested!

Oh and when are we ever going to learn not to waste reviews!

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Expect England to win comfortably from here - batting fourth on a fourth day pitch which has been going at right angles from ball one is about as impossible as it gets frankly.
Bang on tactics regarding the sweep IMO, pointless trying to defend on a pitch like this. Doesn’t always look pretty granted but it’s the only way to go.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Expect England to win comfortably from here - batting fourth on a fourth day pitch which has been going at right angles from ball one is about as impossible as it gets frankly.
Bang on tactics regarding the sweep IMO, pointless trying to defend on a pitch like this. Doesn’t always look pretty granted but it’s the only way to go.

Haven't seen any of this test so am surprised to hear it's been turning square from Day 1 - the lowest score after 3 innings is 290!

Is that bad bowling/fielding or a very slow pitch/not much bounce?

 

[AndyT]

It's not been that much of a minefield, in truth, but yep 100% agree on the sweeping. It's a risk and reward stroke and the rewards have been the winner.

That said, it's turning a lot more today. Leach is racking it square at times.

Foakes keeping and Jennings' catch have been absolutely out of the top drawer!

 

[AndyT]

Terrific match, this.

Great test match pitch. Plenty in it for the bowlers but not impossible to score runs

 

[AndyT]

Got a bad feeling about this.

Angelo Matthews is playing another one of those innings a la Headingley 2014!

 

[AndyT]

"One man went to Mo. Went to Moeen Ali"!

Vital wicket, that.

 

[AndyT]

RSP just at the moment it was getting tense!

 

[The Big Dady]

Sri Lanka 226-7

Danger man Matthews is finally out on 88 lbw bowled by Moeen Ali.

Sri Lanka need further 75 runs to win, England need further 3 wickets to win.

Rain stops play and now close for the day, so we will move on to day 5 tomorrow, but the weather forecast does not look good,

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Haven't seen any of this test so am surprised to hear it's been turning square from Day 1 - the lowest score after 3 innings is 290!

Is that bad bowling/fielding or a very slow pitch/not much bounce?

It’s a massive turner and yes it has been going from day one. Scores are decent to be fair, a combination of excellent batting, some poor bowling and some indifferent fielding particularly from the Sri Lankians. Seamers have hardly bowled a ball except Jimmy. It’s been a brilliant test match and one you wouldn’t have expected England to compete in not so long ago.