The recent ODI series has shown that England and Sri Lanka can engage in a really competitive series of cricket over here. It hasn't always been so in Tests. The first four encounters were all one-offs tagged on to the end of a more lucrative series, followed by a trio of triple-headers. In 13 games, Sri Lanka have won only twice, whilst losing six and drawing the remaining five. Things could have been a lot worse but for the incomparable Muttiah Muralitharan, who took more wickets (48) than just about anyone else put together in the six Tests in which he participated. It goes without saying that he played a huge role in his country's pair of triumphs. To succeed in 2014, new players will need to show the right stuff. Too often, the legendary batsmen Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara have disappointed on England tours so could they sign off with match-winning innings, or will it be left to younger men like Senanayake (if allowed to play!) or Angelo Mathews?
It all began on the August Bank Holiday weekend of 1984. England had been slaughtered by the West Indies so this would be the chance for David Gower's shellshocked side to regain confidence by thrashing the new kids on the block. However, it wasn't the easy ride everyone predicted. Gower won the toss and inserted the visitors, who proceeded to bat solidly and tediously for more than two days! Sidath Wettimuny persevered for almost eight hours for his 190, although skipper Duleep Mendis was much quicker to compile 111. Jon Agnew, Ian Botham and Paul Allott have become highly regarded cricket commentators in recent years but they were made to slog through nearly 100 overs of seam and swing before Mendis declared on 491-7. Despite a hundred from Allan Lamb, England were bowled out 120 short at the end of Day 4. WIth no chance of a result, Amal Silva and Mendis again made batting look easy on a benign closing day.
In 1988 and 1991, England enjoyed routine victories but there followed a seven-year hiatus before Sri Lanka returned for a Test match. By this time, they were no longer easily dismissed as cannon fodder; indeed, they were reigning one-day world champions. Arjana Ranatunga was by now the captain and a draw looked most likely as England scratched around for five sessions and 445 runs, most produced by Graeme Hick (107) and Jon Crawley (156 not out). In place of the snail Wettimuny, Sri Lanka boasted an opener in a very different form: Sanath Jayasuriya. His 213, along with Aravinda De Silva's 152 took the game away from Alec Stewart's hosts. Mr Muralitharan did the rest, finishing the game with 16 wickets for 220 runs from 113 overs! Sri Lanka had broken the duck.
By 2002, the Sri Lankans had finally been granted the respect of a three-match series. Despite the arrival of Mahela and Sanga, Jayasuriya's men were well beaten despite making England follow on in the Lord's opener. Four years forward, and England were in a topsy-turvy Ashes period. Trescothick and Pietersen held their nerve and their wickets while Murali wrought havoc at the other ends to take a 1-0 lead. However, at Trent Bridge, it was a low-scoring affair and came down to a tense fourth day climax. The scene was set for that man Murali yet again. The wily wizard claimed 8-70 and even Monty Panesar was the third top-scorer that afternoon with 26. He even struck the sole six of the innings, but all in vain. The series ended all-square.
Three years ago, Cardiff witnessed an amazing finale. Sri Lanka made a decent 400 but Jonathan Trott's double-century and three figures each for Cook and Bell left Sri Lanka with the fifth day in which to bat out for a draw. Instead, Broad, Tremlett and Swann required a mere 24.4 overs to dismiss Dilshan, Sanga and co for 82 and snatch a memorable innings success. Not even Murali would have been able to rescue that one. Batsmen were on top in the remaining matches and the series ended 1-0 to England.
So what about the best performers spanning the thirty years and thirteen Test matches? For England, it's a difficult task to narrow it down to eleven. For Sri Lanka, it's almost impossible to pick eleven worthy of a place in any fantasy team! Murali would have to bowl non-stop from one end and hope his team-mates didn't concede too many. A winning strategy on occasions but not in a 'Dream XI' like this! My all-time England v Sri Lanka competitors reads as follows:-
England: Alastair Cook (*), Marcus Trescothick, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Alec Stewart (+), Andrew Flintoff, Graeme Swann, Matthew Hoggard, Chris Tremlett, Monty Panesar.
Sri Lanka: Sidath Wettimuny, Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Aravinda de Silva (+), Duleep Mendis, Chaminda Vaas, Chanaga Welegedera, Muttiah Muralitharan, Rangana Herath
It wouldn't be tough for Kulasekera, Mendis or Senanayake to topple Vaas and Welegedera from that team, but England's class of 2014 may struggle to displace Swann and Hoggard. I still predict a 1-0 win for England.
