Sri Lanka v England: second Test, day two – live! | Sport

7.53am GMT 07:53 WICKET! Lakmal c Crawley b Anderson 0 (Sri Lanka 332-8) Anderson has six ! Two in the over! Lakmal e...

7.53am GMT
07:53

WICKET! Lakmal c Crawley b Anderson 0 (Sri Lanka 332-8)

Anderson has six! Two in the over! Lakmal earns a second ball duck after playing with hard hands and no footwork, gifting a catch to Crawley in the gully. Just when Sri Lanka were in a strong position to control the game, they are now staring down the barrel of a below-par score on the flattest possible track. Poor cricket.

121st over: Sri Lanka 332-8 (Dilruwan 26) Double wicket maiden. Anderson: 27-13-38-6

7.49am GMT
07:49

WICKET! Dickwella c Leach b Anderson 92 (Sri Lanka 332-7)

Goodness me! Why did he do that? Dickwella, eight away from a maiden ton, has a pop at Jimmy’s wide one, on the up, and slaps a catch to Leach at cover. Anderson has his 30th five-wicket bag in Tests. But how did Dickwella fall for that? Oh no.

7.44am GMT
07:44

120th over: Sri Lanka 332-6 (Dickwella 92, Dilruwan 26) Dickwella laps early and laps well, getting off strike from the first ball of Leach’s fresh set. Back to Dilruwan, who the spinner should have dismissed just moments ago, around the wicket with a slip. Nice flight again here, pitching it up. “He’s found a decent rhythm,” adds Mark Butcher. Of course, after pumping him up, he drops a short ball in at the right-hander, who steers it away with ease behind point for four. That’ll sting.

7.40am GMT
07:40

119th over: Sri Lanka 327-6 (Dickwella 91, Dilruwan 22) Dickwella into the 90s for the first time in Test cricket after passing 50 on 15 occasions before today. “He’ll seldom get a better chance,” says Mark Butcher on TV. “Against a tiring attack on a hot day on an absolute belter.” Oh, and guess what? Dilruwan did glove the Leach delivery in the previous over. Based on Snicko, it would have been overturned!

The CricViz Analyst
(@cricvizanalyst)

Dickwella was dismissed to two balls in a similar area in the first Test. In this innings, he has been more watchful, leaving balls in the region that had previously caused him problems. #SLvEng pic.twitter.com/Ne1OZLgOuH

January 23, 2021

7.36am GMT
07:36

118th over: Sri Lanka 324-6 (Dickwella 88, Dilruwan 22) The call is Joe Root’s again: did Dilruwan glove a beauty from Leach? It’s given not out on the field and… they are not throwing it upstairs for a second look. The extent to which that decision was informed by the shocking review in his previous over? That shout looked to have more going for it; I’m sure we’ll get a look at the technology at some stage thanks to the TV broadcasters. Leach has been more dangerous since lunch.

Anna Forsyth
(@aforsyth03)

I miss this. Joe Root’s review gesture leaves much to be desired #SLvsENG pic.twitter.com/K2aFXWovZ3

January 23, 2021

7.33am GMT
07:33

117th over: Sri Lanka 323-6 (Dickwella 87, Dilruwan 22) Anderson to Dickwella: an important exchange to determine which team will be best placed to dictate terms as we get deeper into this second day. He gets off strike halfway through the over though, easing behind point with soft hands again; going very nicely. Dilruwan’s turn and he’s savvy enough to only shoulder arms and defend – no risks required.

7.29am GMT
07:29

116th over: Sri Lanka 322-6 (Dickwella 86, Dilruwan 22) I suppose England had all three reviews in their backpocket and Jos Buttler was keen on another look. I can’t wait for this third review to be junked when we’re through these temporary Covid-19 playing conditions. To recap: because of home umpires, an extra review was thrown in to safeguard against misguided suggestions of bias. Having just covered the best Test series in Australia for decades, overseen by three superb home umpires, it would be a travesty if they can’t officiate Tests over here again. The teams definitely don’t need a third review to burn to verify their integrity.

7.26am GMT
07:26

NOT OUT! Yep, that’s a stinker. Pitched outside leg by a long way. Very odd.

7.26am GMT
07:26

HAS LEACH TRAPPED DICKWELLA LBW? It is given not out and looks like it has both pitched outside leg and drifted down leg but… here we go anyway. Stand by.

7.23am GMT
07:23

115th over: Sri Lanka 319-6 (Dickwella 84, Dilruwan 21) Naturally, it’s Jimmy Anderson starting the session from the Fort End. Leach has done his job, so it’s Dickwella – the big wicket – on strike to the champion. Over the wicket, he has a slip and a catching cover. But that’s a lovely shot first up, using the angle to time him behind point just wide of the gully for a boundary. Into the 80s he moves; this is now his highest Test score. The job is far from done though – he has to take it to the next level today and keep England out there until at least the tea break.

7.17am GMT
07:17

114th over: Sri Lanka 314-6 (Dickwella 79, Dilruwan 21) A good start from Leach to Dilruwan after Dickwella takes one to midwicket from the first ball of the session. At the right-hander, he’s drifting it in nicely, bringing him forward. No catching men under the lid though, so he’s able to lunge without risk. Sorry in advance: I will keep going on about this while Leach/Bess are bowling with just a slip.

7.14am GMT
07:14

The players are back on the field. It’s Leach to continue his spell, starting at Dickwella. The partnership he’s put together with Dilruwan is worth 70. PLAY!

7.10am GMT
07:10

Good morning to those waking up. This feels like the right time for most of our audience to be joining on a Saturday morning, lockdown or otherwise. To bring you up to speed: England had a super start with two wickets inside the first 20 minutes (including Mathews, for 110) but Sri Lanka did nicely from then until the lunch break, with Dickwella 22 runs away from his maiden Test ton. And check out Jimmy’s bowling figures: 23-13-29-4. He’ll be back on straight after lunch, I’m sure.

6.57am GMT
06:57

On This Day in 1999. An international incident of sorts between these nations at Adelaide Oval. But really, it didn’t have anything to do with England and everything to do with the ego of Umpire Ross Emerson. Not a good day.

Rob Moody
(@robelinda2)

Truly bad cricket scenes, disgraceful stuff

On this day in 1999….Australian cricket umpires continued to cause controversy when Muralitharan was involved…..

Ranatunga taking absolutely no sh*t from Ross Emerson pic.twitter.com/H8uPsvDDjQ

January 23, 2021

6.49am GMT
06:49

Lunchtime/breakfast listening. Geoff Lemon and I have had a signficant response to our conversation with Marcus Stoinis on The Final Word podcast this week. The Australian all-rounder told us the moving story of his father’s illness and passing.

Adam Collins
(@collinsadam)

Geoff and I never anticipated that this would be the topic of our interview with Marcus Stoinis but, as we soon realised, to understand the man and cricketer, the tender story of his dad’s long illness and passing informs everything else. https://t.co/ESXGth2sEO pic.twitter.com/P1J5ex3hkn

January 20, 2021

6.38am GMT
06:38

Two wickets and 84 runs in the session. Sri Lanka lost wickets in the second and fifth overs this morning, Anderson immediately picking up yesterday’s century maker with nice bit of inswing (and an excellent review). When Wood ended Ramesh Mendis’ debut innings before scoring down the legside, the good work from the hosts yesterday was coming undone. However, Dickwella (78*) was never diverted from his plan to score whenever he had a bit of width with Dilruwan (21*) using his feet nicely to the spinners in support. The pair have put on 70 to date, the wicketkeeper well placed to collect his first Test ton after the lunch break.

6.34am GMT
06:34

LUNCH: Sri Lanka 313-6

113th over: Sri Lanka 313-6 (Dickwella 78, Dilruwan 21) Curran wasn’t far away from Dickwella’s woodwork with final ball of his previous over – how will he play this before lunch? A bouncer to begin, pulled away nicely for one. So, that contest is over for now. Dilruwan’s turn, defending then ducking. Nothing wrong with that. “There’s no time pressure whatsoever,” says Simon Doull on TV and he’s spot on, with Sri Lanka giving themselves the chance to bowl when the pitch is going to suit their spinners best. One last bumper before lunch, ducked again. It’s to the left-armer’s credit that he’s coming to this with a plan, it must be said. And lunch.

6.30am GMT
06:30

112th over: Sri Lanka 312-6 (Dickwella 77, Dilruwan 21) Nup, it’ll be Leach. With three minutes on the clock, this is likely to be the last before lunch… which means slow it down with players around the bat, right? Hmm, seemingly not – just the slip, field spread, rushing. Nothing much wrong with Leach’s radar or angle at Diulruwan around the cricket but he hasn’t many routes to a wicket other than finding an edge, hitting a pad or going through the gate. A single is on offer around the corner, which is accepted. Dickwella’s turn with one ball to go and 60 seconds left, so they will get another one in, the left-hander keeping the strike after using his feet and driving down to long-on. He’s had a super morning for Sri Lanka.

6.26am GMT
06:26

111th over: Sri Lanka 310-6 (Dickwella 76, Dilruwan 20) It’s always a good scrap when Curran is involved, sending down a skiddy bouncer at Dickwella who takes him on with a hook, getting it fine enough for four. He goes upstairs again straight away again, pulling two more into the gap this time. Wood for one before lunch?

6.23am GMT
06:23

110th over: Sri Lanka 302-6 (Dickwella 68, Dilruwan 20) Leach continues with Bess replaced, the left-armer through with just one single added, Dickwella placing a full ball down the ground for one. Maidens have been a problem for England’s spinner so far, sending down five of them across 52 overs. Not enough.

“Morning Adam.” And to you, Brian Withington. Indeed, good morning to everyone who has woken up over the last little while. The news is that England picked up a couple of wickets in a couple of overs inside the first quarter of an hour but it has been smooth sailing for the hosts thereafter with ten minutes till lunch.

“Good to see you back where you belong. Sorry not to have been rugged enough to be with you from the off today. In my defence, our weekly poker session via Zoom and BetPoker (other platforms available) contained more than the usual heartbreak, including accidentally folding pocket Kings when about to win a monster hand. Not sure of the segue to the cricket action, although I expect someone can find one.” I’m sure they will, my friend. Nice to have you here.

6.19am GMT
06:19

109th over: Sri Lanka 301-6 (Dickwella 67, Dilruwan 20) Right, it will be seam, via Sam Curran, the man who started the day for England. He has a fly flip for Dickwella, a leg gully and a conventional gully – unorthodox. The short ball on the hip won’t be troubling the set left-hander though, pulling an easy single. Dilruwan’s turn, getting in behind the left-armer’s wide of the crease attack.

6.14am GMT
06:14

108th over: Sri Lanka 300-6 (Dickwella 66, Dilruwan 20) Well, there’s the 300 for Sri Lanka, brought up with a Dickwella single to long-on, where there’s a sweeper. This is drifting for England with the spinners in operation. Leach gets one to bite at Dilruwan in this over, beating his edge, but the risk profile for the Sri Lankan batsmen isn’t too high at the with just a slip in close catching. Back to Jimmy?

6.10am GMT
06:10

107th over: Sri Lanka 298-6 (Dickwella 65, Dilruwan 19) The 50 partnership is up from 87 balls, via one to deep point. They needed this – a fine partnership so far. Another single to deep backward square now, Dilruran unable to properly put away a short ball. Dickwella can though! That’s almost a slog-sweep, backing himself against the spin, down on one knee and spanking the off-break through the vacant midwicket region. Great stuff, and not a lot of risk even if he miscues.

Updated
at 6.12am GMT

6.09am GMT
06:09

106th over: Sri Lanka 292-6 (Dickwella 60, Dilruwan 18) Tidier from Leach, with plenty of protection around what could be called the one-day fielding circle.

6.01am GMT
06:01

105th over: Sri Lanka 289-6 (Dickwella 59, Dilruwan 16) Top edge… doesn’t go to hand. That’s Dickwella’s first meaningful false strike of the day, taking on Bess but it doesn’t carry to Leach at deep backward square. He’s back along the ground with one to extra cover later in the set, Dilruwan doing the rest in defence. The drone camera on the TV coverage has been getting a right work out in this series so far, delivering one beautiful Galle shot after another at the end of each over.

5.58am GMT
05:58

104th over: Sri Lanka 286-6 (Dickwella 56, Dilruwan 16) Dilruwan dances at Leach again, spanking him straight back over his head for four more! And once again, it’s from the first ball of the left-armer’s over. Attractive batting. He keeps his head too, turning the next one safely into the legside. Dickwella does likewise – an easy single to midwicket after stepping out of his crease. It’s difficult to build pressure without men around the bat – the field feels like Sri Lanka are 480/6 not 280/6.

5.53am GMT
05:53

103rd over: Sri Lanka 280-6 (Dickwella 55, Dilruwan 11) Dickwella busts out a powerful sweep for the first time today, thumping Bess in front of square for a boundary. Lovely stuff. A reminder than the 27-year-old has made it to 50 now 16 times in Test cricket but has never reached three figures, with a highest score of 83.

5.49am GMT
05:49

102nd over: Sri Lanka 274-6 (Dickwella 50, Dilruwan 10) Leach is into his groove now at Dilruwan around the wicket. Seems a touch defensive to me that he only has a slip but maybe that’s the way my brain is currently hardwired after watching Australila and India go at it for a month with close-in catchers used throughout.

5.46am GMT
05:46

101st over: Sri Lanka 274-6 (Dickwella 50, Dilruwan 10) Bess is a fraction short to Dilruwan – able to get back and use the crease to defend more often than not- but his line is good until one turns from middle stump, helped away for one.

5.42am GMT
05:42

100th over: Sri Lanka 273-6 (Dickwella 50, Dilruwan 9) Leach into the attack for the first time today and Dilruwan wants a piece of him, dancing and lofting over long-on for a once-bounce four. That’s what they call intent. There’s a couple more on offer with a late cut then a single in the same direction to finish. Sri Lanka have made it through 100 overs and this pair have put on 30 in 49 overs. Good batting.

5.36am GMT
05:36

Dickwella passes 50

99th over: Sri Lanka 266-6 (Dickwella 50, Dilruwan 2) First ball after drinks, Dickwella gets to raise his bat with a single down the ground off Dom Bess. He’s looked very tidy this morning, the milestone coming from his 95th delivery in the middle. Dilruwan does the rest in defence before pushing a single to finish.

Abhijato Sensarma is all over it with my request. “When you want a definitive list of cricketing quirks, Mr Collins, there’s no better place to look than in the Bible of cricket itself! A handy guide to the ways in which grounds in the UK have been utilised – from zebra exhibitions to holy preaching.” That was too easy!

5.31am GMT
05:31

98th over: Sri Lanka 264-6 (Dickwella 49, Dilruwan 1) Dickwella is doing a job here, pulling a couple to begin off Wood then playing with control and getting under the two bouncers as they come one after another. They need this to be the day when he cracks on for an important ton. Wood now oversteps, identified by the third umpire, and it is Dickwella taking on the next delivery, getting into position early enough to turn the ball fine for four. He then keeps the strike with a controlled pull shot for one. Drinks it is. England’s hour with the two wickets.

5.24am GMT
05:24

97th over: Sri Lanka 256-6 (Dickwella 42, Dilruwan 1) Bess, wicketless yesterday, gets his chance replacing Jimmy from the Fort End. Dickwella gives the strike straight to Dilruwan, who gets off the mark with a single behind square. Bowling with just one catching man at the left-hander – a slip. How about a short leg?

5.21am GMT
05:21

96th over: Sri Lanka 253-6 (Dickwella 40, Dilruwan 0) Wood is working on Dilruwan both full and short at pace – i.e. precisely what he is on this tour for.

Martin Coxhead is back to explain how you win a bull-riding competition. “Well, to win you seemingly have to stay on top of one and a half tonnes of angry beef on the bone for eight seconds, with both the rider and bull getting points for style and performance, like a meat-heavy Strictly Come Dancing. And one of the current riders is called Ryan Dirteater. Honestly.”

Come to think of it, this used to be part of the offering at Coffs Harbour cricket ground, where England’s women played two Ashes ODIs against Australia in 2017. Not quite Bramall Lane’s dual-purpose, but still impressive. Let’s try this on for size: what is the most bizarre alternative use a Test ground has enjoyed? Hit me.

5.14am GMT
05:14

95th over: Sri Lanka 253-6 (Dickwella 40, Dilruwan 0) Great point from Simon Doull on the telly, noting that Dom Bess’ athletic dive in the first over of the day on the point boundary didn’t only save a run but meant that Anderson got a chance at the start of the day to Mathews, which resulted in him taking his wicket within an over of the resumption at the Fort End. Back to Dickwella, who strokes his third boundary of the morning, a compact cover drive after getting to the pitch. Nice.

5.10am GMT
05:10

94th over: Sri Lanka 249-6 (Dickwella 36, Dilruwan 0) Shot. Dickwella driving again, through cover off Wood this time. But Root won’t mind that, nice and full bringing the stumps into play more often than not early in this spell. He’s hitting the radar up towards 90mph too – no mean feat in this part of the world.

5.06am GMT
05:06

93rd over: Sri Lanka 244-6 (Dickwella 31, Dilruwan 0) A rare run off Anderson, Dickwella tucking a single. He’s straight back on the mark to the new man Dilruwan, who has no choice but to defend then leave close to his off-stump.

Sky Sports Cricket
(@SkyCricket)

BIG WICKET – ANDERSON AGAIN! 💥

Jimmy Anderson has his fourth, removing centurion Angelo Mathews after an inspired review!

SL 232-5 #SLvENG🇱🇰🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

📺 Watch 👉 https://t.co/bT0CP9Q8No
📱 Live blog 👉 https://t.co/thLvSDgcvt pic.twitter.com/M0i0a7SRjM

January 23, 2021

5.01am GMT
05:01

WICKET! R Mendis c Buttler b Wood 0 (Sri Lanka 243-6)

What a catch by Buttler! Down the legside, the man on debut gets inside the line and clips Wood but too fine, the England ‘keeper leaping away to his left to to drag in a beauty. He new man bags a duck and England have two wickets in two overs.

92nd over: Sri Lanka 243-6 (Dickwella 30) It ended an otherwise handy over for the hosts, Dickwella on-driving the England quick for four. But they’re in strife now.

4.53am GMT
04:53

91st over: Sri Lanka 238-5 (Dickwella 25, R Mendis 0) Anderson to Ramesh Mendis, facing his first ball in Test cricket, and the 25-year-old gets bat on ball with a confident defensive stroke. He plays cautiously, leaving both full and short, allowing Jimmy to lodge another maiden. His figures are absurd: 21-12-24-4.

4.50am GMT
04:50

90th over: Sri Lanka 238-5 (Dickwella 25, R Mendis 0) Just to back over that dismissal, it was the perfect review for Root in many respects because had it not kissed the inside edge, there was a decent chance of it being given out leg before. The third umpire, it must be said, was a real chance of botching it. At one point, he told Kumar Dharmasena that he could “stay with his decision” despite having worked out that there was an edge on snicko. Anyway, he’s going to be a busy boy later in the Test Match, so let’s hope he improves from these early nerves. Back to Curran, who gives Dickwella the chance to cut a short ball to finish and he does so with ease, carving him behind point for the first boundary of the second morning.

“What a start,” writes Jonathan Kelly. “Was even worth the rum punch I’ve spilled all over my shorts and flip flops when I leaped for joy!” That’s commitment.

4.43am GMT
04:43

WICKET! Mathews c Buttler b Anderson 110 (Sri Lanka 232-5)

Outstanding from Anderson, beating Mathews three times in his first over with the inswinger, the third clipping the inside edge and deflecting off the front pad into the gloves of Buttler behind the wicket. The third umpire is having a dreadful time applying the technology but the correct decision is arrived at after Root reviews. Jimmy gets his fourth and it’s a huge one, Sri Lanka’s best player gone for 110.

89th over: Sri Lanka 232-5 (Dickwella 19)

Angelo Mathews heads back to the pavilion after his knock of 110. Photograph: Sri Lanka Cricket

Updated
at 7.48am GMT

4.35am GMT
04:35

88th over: Sri Lanka 232-4 (Mathews 110, Dickwella 19) Mathews defends the first few balls of the day; not a lot of venom as the left-armer works into it. The century-maker unfurls his arms to the next offering, a wider ball driven square towards the point rope, dragged back in at the last by Bess – three runs added for the hosts.

“The cricketing world at large surely hasn’t escaped from the clutches of the miracle at the Gabba,” says Abhijato Sensarma, plugging his blog in the process. We’ll allow it. “But a Sri Lanka v England match-up, that too in conditions which support both teams equally, has all the potential for being a blockbuster. The first few days of Test cricket are always a slow burn, with the stage being set for a tight finish or a tepid one. With both sides having admittedly fragile line-ups and the same quality of bowlers, we should theoretically be in for another rollicking day at the cricket!” Well said, young man. Let’s hope so.

4.30am GMT
04:30

The players are on the field. Mathews (107) and Dickwella (19) are ready to roll for the hosts with Slammin’ Sammy Curran to bowl the first over of the day. PLAY!

4.27am GMT
04:27

Jimmy is on TV. “When you have a bit of time off you always wonder if you can get straight back into things and I was really happy with my rhythm from ball one. When you come to Sri Lanka you don’t expect to bowl 19 overs but I was really happy with that. It is tiring being out there in this heat but that’s what we train for. So today is about putting that behind us and trying to get some breakthroughs in the morning. We kept ourselves in the game by keeping the run rate down so if we get a couple of early breakthroughs we’re definitely in the game.”

4.24am GMT
04:24

Russell Arnold is looking at the pitch on the coverage. He says identified a fair bit of rough but believes it is “very, very good” where the ball will mainly be pitching.

“Morning Adam.” Hello, Martin Coxhead. “First time I’ve been called a rugged individualist before. Currently watching Pro Bull Riding on the box before the cricket. Interestingly for such a ‘all-American’ sport the current champions all seem to be Brazilian.” Blimey, a fair contrast there! How do you… win?

4.20am GMT
04:20

John Parkinson is here with an important email. “I would like to apologise to all four of the other expats who may have been eagerly anticipating a full days uninterrupted TMS coverage apropos of the link sent yesterday. Nevertheless I do hope that the entire 30 minutes (or 7 overs in real money) of coverage that it did provide more than made up for any subsequent feelings of rage, anger and existential angst. It is in that spirit that I am pleased to provide today’s link with no guarantee that it will stretch beyond the first five overs.”

Well played, John. In Australia, the rights to this series are held by a sports betting agency. You couldn’t make it up. Welcome to the future – it’s a grim place.

4.16am GMT
04:16

Dialing in from Timor-Leste, it’s Robert Hammond. “Like you, it’s not such a struggle to be following England today from the first ball. It’s 1pm here, and I’m having to quarantine after moving for work, but following the cricket from my balcony with a beach-view makes up for it! It’s the rainy season, so even more humid (80%) than Galle, but I’d bet that Jimmy would still get top order wickets here.” A country I deeply regret not having visited as yet. Best of luck up there.

Now over to Sweden:

“Greetings Adam from a mildly nippy Stockholm suburb where the combination of a rattling headache and a cranky toddler have usurped my alarm clock,” writes Matthew Collins. “The sprog is back snoozing, the kettle is on and I’m looking forward to some more attritional cricket today. Jimmy’s eternal grace is as enticing as ever, each gliding delivery etched with a hint of melancholy for me, surely he can’t go on much longer and when he’s gone the game will be lesser for it. Mind you I’ve been thinking this for 5 years or so now. Is he man or android?!”

I’m certain he’s going to be in Australia in November. I’m also convinced he will be playing into his 40s if his body allows it. He’s craving more. Good on him!

And a theme is emerging here with the baby wake-ups…

“Our baby Dylan (not a nod to the great Bob Willis) has been having a bad night of sleep so I have selflessly stepped up to the plate and plonked us in front of the TV waiting for the day’s play to start,” reports Darrien Bold. “England unbeaten in 3 tests since he was born, but I would say that record is under threat here.”

Congratulations! What a streak. My baby girl (11.5 months) is having her afternoon nap in the room next to me. So, predicably, she’ll he kicking off the very moment the first ball is bowled and I need to sharpen my concentration.

4.09am GMT
04:09

Jonathan Kelly is with us. “I’m currently trapped in quarantine in Barbados (yes there are many worse places to be trapped). But I can’t leave my hotel room at all, my balcony is too hot to enjoy being outside so staying up late with the cricket with the sounds of the ocean is a glorious way to spend my time. As I’m travelling on my own and there’s no local coverage I’ll be following your coverage with eager anticipation.”

Great to have you here. Having logged 15 nights in Perth’s Hotel Quarantine back in December, I know the drill well. The key to it all: a rigid routine. If you can plug into a Test Match for five days, then you’re laughing. Good luck with it.

Philip Vial has bypassed tea, “expresso machine has done its job” instead – he’s considering a bacon sarnie. “I wasn’t going to get up, but I had to get up for a wee, and the dogs nabbed my side of the bed as soon as I did.” That’s the OBO spirit!

4.01am GMT
04:01

“It’s getting on for five in the afternoon here in Auckland,” writes Steve Perrin to get my inbox off the mark, “so I’m cracking a beer rather than putting the kettle on. Looking forward to the commentary. Go Jimmy.”

Delicious. In Melbourne, where I am at the moment, there isn’t a cloud in the sky as I look out over Collingwood with the door of the Birmingham Hotel no more than 50 metres away. Perfect afternoon pub weather. I considered taking the OBO to the front bar but that might be stretching the friendship with those locked down in the United Kingdom – where we return to in a couple of weeks, for the record.

Speaking of…

Rex Clementine
(@RexClementine)

There are a few pubs at Galle Fort. One guy told me, last time England were here, the beer sale alone topped Rs. 1 million daily. That was the case with all other pubs apparently. This time, from auto driver to pineapple vendor to hoteliers all are feeling the pinch.

January 23, 2021

3.55am GMT
03:55

To catch up on yesterday, he’s Andy Bull on Jimmy’s performance so far – his fifth tour of Sri Lanka and 19th year in Test cricket. What a remarkable cricketer.

3.35am GMT
03:35

Preamble

Adam Collins

How much do you want it? Enough to be with me for the preamble at about half past three on a cold British morning? Has it been enough to set an early alarm, safe in the knowledge that it’ll be Jimmy Anderson up against Angelo Mathews when play does resume, two titans of their respective cricketing nations? I hope so.

Good morning to every rugged individualist with me today. Where I am at the moment after the conclusion of the Australia/India epic, some 10,000 miles away, it is a sunny Saturday afternoon. But I couldn’t be more excited about returning to the OBO tools with Sri Lanka four down after batting conservatively after winning an important toss at Galle. They did as they must in a situation like that, putting overs into the legs of the visiting bowlers, in contrast to the first innings last week.

For England’s part, they return knowing that, due to the slow scoring rate, they are only a few wickets away from opening up the Test in their favour. To think that Jimmy – with 19-10-24-3; an absurd set of numbers – can still put in performances like this at age 38 is proof again that it’s foolish to believe he’s giving it away any time soon. It’ll be a tad concerning for Root that both of his finger spinners went wicketless, but they have time on their side to make amends through the week.

Mathews, meanwhile – what a guy. How long has been carrying this team around on his broad shoulders? For too long, probably. He’ll start again with 107 to his name from 228 deliveries, the punchy Niroshan Dickwella with him on 19.

As always, I’m looking forward to your company throughout the first half of the day. Have you sprung out of bed and popped the kettle on? Let me know.

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