Flintoff rocks Lanka after 'Hairy' decision

CRICKET: Sri Lanka made a complete mess of winning a good toss when they were bundled out for 231 in what experts here termed as the best batting pitch anyone could have asked for this English summer on the opening day of the third and final cricket Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham here Friday.

One moment it looked as if Sri Lanka were heading for a big score after winning the toss and batting first when they were cruising at 84-1. But either side of lunch they suffered that all too familiar first innings collapse losing six wickets for 45 runs before the tail once again came to their rescue.

From 139-8 Chaminda Vaas not for the first time in the series carried the Lankan batting on his shoulders to give them a somewhat respectable total. The left-hander top scored with 38 not out in two hours (5 fours) to carry his batting average in the series to 75 for twice out in five innings.

The thing about Vaas is that he looks much better than some of the Lankan top order batsmen. Every match he has been well composed, gets right behind the line, bat vertical and, plays the ball close to his body.

The way he has played the England bowlers in the series has not only embarrassed the top order batting but makes him the third most accomplished batsman in the side after Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

The wheels fell off the Sri Lankan innings 12 minutes before lunch when Sangakkara was controversially given out caught behind by umpire Darrell Hair for 36. Until then it looked as if England were going to have a long day on the field as Sangakkara and Upul Tharanga batted well in a partnership of 82.

But Hair's hair-raising decision ruling Sangakkara out when actually the ball had grazed off his left thigh triggered off a collapse as Tharanga and then skipper Jayawardene was both out in quick succession.

Sangakkara made 36 with five fours and was looking good for a big score, which was overdue from him in this series. Tharanga's lack of technique to move his feet to the swinging ball cost him his wicket as he offered an easy edge to wicket-keeper Jones off Hoggard to be dismissed for 34.

Flintoff who bowled with exceptional pace clocking the nineties deserved some wickets and got his first thanks to Hair's boob. Buoyed by that success the England captain produced an excellent delivery that left Jayawardene late forcing him to edge a catch behind the wicket.

Having made 61 and 119 in the first Test, Jayawardene has failed cross the double figure mark in his last three Test innings being dismissed for 0, 5 and 0.

Sri Lanka lost second Test centurion Michael Vandort early for one when he played on to debutant John Lewis giving him his first Test wicket off his third legal ball. His first ball in Test cricket was a no-ball.

It was the third time that Vandort had fallen to Lewis cheaply. He was dismissed without scoring in both innings in the 3-day match against England 'A' at Worcester.

Tharanga and Sangakkara made use of some half volleys bowled by the England bowlers to score easy runs. Although the ball swung the England bowlers were not on target.

The pair resisted everything that was thrown at them to raise a stand of 82 off 140 balls. It was a good toss for Sri Lanka to win and a total of 400-plus was easily on the cards. But poor technique of the Lankan batsmen against the moving ball may yet cost them another Test.

Unless Sri Lanka bat well and put up a good first innings total they are bound to hand over the advantage to England. In the previous two Tests they were shot out for 192 and 141 in the first innings.

Dilshan made eight, and Jayasuriya on his return to Test cricket four as Flintoff bowling at his quickest struck deeply into the batting. Kapugedera (14) and Maharoof (13) went edging deliveries, which they should have left alone and once again it was left to the tail to give the Lankans a decent total.

The problem with the Sri Lankan batsmen is that they have gone after wide balls with full-blooded strokes. Their footwork has a lot to be desired.

In England in early summer when there is movement off the pitch or swing in the air, this is not the smartest way to play especially as a number of the young members have little experience in English conditions.

In both Tests they have fared better in the second innings because they are trying to bat defensively forcing the bowlers to get them out. They are more careful and selective in the shots they play caressing the ball and playing the ball late.

Vaas and Malinga (21) added 30 for the ninth wicket. Then Muralitharan in his own hilarious style of batting picked up 33 valuable runs off 29 balls (3 fours, 1 six) helping Vaas in a last wicket stand of 62 off 87 balls which fell short by three runs of breaking the Sri Lanka record for that wicket.

Sri Lanka made two changes with Chamara Kapugedera and Sanath Jayasuriya replacing Tilan Samaraweera and Nuwan Kulasekera. England replaced Sajid Mahmood with Lewis.

ENGLAND - 1ST INNINGS

M. Trescothick run out 24
Andrew Strauss b Vaas 07
Alastair Cook not out 12
Kevin Pietersen not out 06
Extras (1b, 2lb, 1nb) 04
TOTAL (for two wkts, 18 overs) 53
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-25, 2-39.
BOWLING: Chaminda Vaas 9-2-21-1, Lasith Malinga 5-0-21-0,
Muttiah Muralitharan 4-0-8-0 (1nb).