Oh, dear. Having scored 400 in the first innings and the game losing 129 overs to the inclement Welsh weather, Sri Lanka really should not have ended the First Test in arrears. Obviously it's always difficult adjusting to new conditions, and the recent cold, breezy spell in Britain provides a challenging contrast to the heat of the Indian subcontinent where most of the Sri Lankan squad have been playing during the winter. However, to be bowled out on the final day for a mere 82 was a disaster for the visitors and will take a huge effort to get over.
It had all started off so well. Prasanna Jayawardene made a rare century, supported by fifties from both openers and Samaraweera, and only Jimmy Anderson and Graeme Swann looked remotely dangerous, although Sri Lanka could probably count themselves rather fortunate to have compiled such a good total. We all knew their bowling attack was somewhat threadbare, and so it proved. Alastair Cook cantered to yet another hundred while Jonathan Trott calmly accumulated 203 before Ian Bell was allowed by his captain to reach three figures, too, before the instant declaration. I'm sure not even Strauss and Flower at their most optimistic could have forecast the Sri Lankan collapse which ensued. Chris Tremlett and Swann were almost unplayable at times, getting movement, variable bounce and flight to flummox even world-class batsmen like Sangakkara, Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene. The injured Anderson wasn't even missed.
I predicted a 3-0 series win for England but it's sad to see Sri Lanka failing so dismally to be competitive today. With the sun on their backs, it may be a different story, but the seamers rarely put the home side's batsmen in difficulty, and only KP of the specialists missed out on double figures. However, England do now look worthy candidates for the accolade of the world's best Test team. Cook's statistical record is up there with Tendulkar's at the same age, while Trott now boasts an average of 67, second only to Bradman for a batsman with 19 Tests to his name. Extraordinary! Bell has his scratchy moments, especially when pushing for the run to carry him to 100, but he has a Test record at least as good as his captain's and not far short of Pietersen's. At this rate, the issue of who bats at six may not matter one jot as Morgan will hardly get the opportunity in the middle, so accomplished do the top five seem to be.
Now it's off to Lord's next week and hopefully the venue will inspire Jaywardene to hit his usual heights and maybe Mendis and Herath could cause problems. However, chances of Sri Lanka beating England look extremely remote and Strauss must be confident of another comfortable victory.
