Tremlett (6/42) has Lanka reeling at 177/9
Elmo RODRIGOPULLE reporting from England
A brutal spell of well controlled seam bowling by Chris Tremlett who
caused tremors in the batting pocketing 6 wickets for 42 in 18.2 overs,
5 maidens caused a batting slump where Sri Lanka lost 5 wickets for 93
and were 177 for 9 when rain and bad light stopped play after 23.2 overs
on the second day of the Third Npower Test, here today.
With the rains refusing to stop, umpires Aleem Dar and Billy Doctrove
after a long and probably frustrating wait decided to call of play for
the day. The not out batsmen were Dilhara Fernando on 33 with 5 fours
and Chanaka Welegedera on 7.
Good weather has been predicted for the next three days. But you
never know. Keep your fingers crossed.
In overcast conditions ideal for seam bowling, the Lankan batsmen
were all at sea, and other than for Prasanna Jayawardena who showed
courage and the right technique, the rest of the batting left nothing to
write home about.
From now on it will be an almighty struggle and a big ask for the
Lankans to save this Test.
They are already one down having lost the First Test in Cardiff with
a shameless batting display where they were skittled out for 82 in 24.2
overs and unless the rain comes to their rescue, they are doomed to
defeat.
The Lankans flew in here with high hopes of winning their first ever
Test series against England. And the Lankans blew these hopes with some
poor thinking and even more poor cricket. The injury to captain
Tillekeratne Dilshan who had to reluctantly miss this Test added to
their woes.
The Sri Lankans who were tottering on 81 for 4, found the going tough
and with the addition of five runs Thilan Samaraweera played a walking
shot and was snapped up by Kevin Pietersen in the gully off Chris
Tremlett for 24 with 4 fours. 89 for 5. The stand with Jayawardena was
worth 50. The floodlights came on shortly after.
Thissara Perera 2 and Rangana Herath 12 came and went. Both fell to
Tremlett who celebrated five wickets in the maiden Test at the Rose
Bowl. Perera swished and was caught behind at 91 and Herath at 117 was
taken at fine leg by Anderson skying an intended hook.
Suranga Lakmal helped a Tremlett bouncer on its way to Prior for no
score at 158 and then Jayawardena who was easily the best Lankan batsman
with the correct approach and technique and who was nearing a well
deserved half century, had a sudden rush of blood and trying to hoist
Greame Swann out of the ground holed out to Eoin Morgan at mid wicket
for 4 with 5 fours. He made 43.
It was yet another frustrating second day for cricket. On the first
day when only 38 overs were bowled, owing to the fickle weather here in
Southampton in which Sri Lanka huffed and puffed and laboured to make 81
for 4, the second day dawned gloomy and with poor light and a persistent
drizzle.
The weather forecast was for 6 hours of unceasing rain. But the
weathermen were proved wrong, like it tend to happen back home and when
play finally began after a near two hour delay, to the delight of all,
the sun was out, but suddenly the clouds began to roll in and the
cricket was played in not very good light. But it could not be helped.
The Lankans who batted first were like cats on hot tin roofs. On a
wicket that had pace, bounce and movement, the England pacies of James
Anderson, Stuart Broad and Chris Tremlett had the batsmen chained and
did not allow them freedom to play their natural game.
The Lankan batsmen lacked the technique and temperament to counter
the England pace blitz. At this level it was a poor show and a sad
indictment on their game. What was required was patience and the courage
to stay put at the wicket.
The batsmen were over keen to play strokes and in their impetuosity,
nibbled and played at balls that were passing harmlessly and snicked
catches. Opener Lahiru Thirimanne could be excused because it was his
first big game, and who obviously would have been all nerves.
Tharanga Paranavitana failed to read the line and went LBW. But the
batsman who looked out of depth was stand-in captain Kumar Sangakkara.
He seems to be wallowing in a mud bowl here in the Rose Bowl of his own
making. His apparent dislike to lead has made him lose his confidence
and self belief and it is damaging his game.
He walked in to bat when Thirimanne was dismissed and looked
hopelessly out of depth. His concentration which was a hall mark of his
game, the lovely movement of feet, the sweet timing and execution was
all missing and the shot he played in snicking to Matt Prior behind the
sticks is best described as kid stuff.
He made 2. The Guardian described the shot as a brainless swipe.
Mahela Jayawardena too, for the high standards he has set here has
had a very poor tour.
He battled on gamely and when he seemed to be getting on top, got a
nasty delivery from Tremlett, that pitched and climbed and Jayawardena
in trying to keep it down snicked to Prior for 5 - 39 for 4 and on the
skids.
Thilan Samaraweera and Prasanna Jayawardena joined forces and took
Sri Lanka to the close at 84 for 4, putting on a valuable 47. It was
valuable runs in difficult conditions and against a terrifying pace
attack looking for the kill.
Samaraweera was on 24 and Jayawardena on 10. The 64 and 45 deliveries
they negotiated would have been the most difficult in their careers.
SRI LANKA 1ST INNINGS
(overnight: 81-4)
T. Paranavitana lbw b Tremlett 11
L. Thirimanne c Strauss b Anderson 10
K. Sangakkara c Prior b Anderson 2
M. Jayawardene c Prior b Tremlett 4
T. Samaraweera c Pietersen b Tremlett 31
P. Jayawardene c Morgan b Swann 43
T. Perera c Prior b Tremlett 2
R. Herath c Anderson b Tremlett 12
D. Fernando not out 33
S. Lakmal c Prior b Tremlett 0
C. Welegedara not out 7
EXTRAS (b2, lb15, w4, nb1) 22
TOTAL (9 wkts, 61.2 overs, 292 mins) 177
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-23 (Thirimanne), 2-23 (Paranavitana), 3-29 (Sangakkara), 4-39 (M Jayawardene),
5-89 (Samaraweera), 6-91 (Perera), 7-117 (Herath), 8-158 (P Jayawardene), 9-166 (Lakmal).
BOWLING: Anderson 23-7-56-2 (1w); Broad 18-3-50-0 (2w); Tremlett 18.2-5-42-6 (1nb, 1w); Swann 2-0-12-1.
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