England v Sri Lanka First Test Report Card, Day Four
Featuring woodlessness and Morpheus off the short run
Woodlessness
Grade: D
Sri Lanka extended their lead on the fourth day thanks to a bout of extended competence from Kamindu Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal. The duo serenely saw off an England attack missing the inevitably injured Mark Wood as they extended their lead towards 200.
In retrospect, a very fun decision from the visitors to exclude any semblance of batting during their first couple of partnerships in each innings. Made a right proper game of this Test. Good lads.
Luckily for England, for the second year in a row, the Manchester rain arrived in time to save England from cruel defeat.
Disappointingly, however, in 2024 the rain refused to stick around, perhaps mistaking the Test for one of those The Hundred matches.
On the plus side, the lunch break-length rain delay was then almost immediately followed by an actual lunch break.
Cricket, once again showing other sports how it’s done, not-playing-wise.
Morpheus Off The Short Run
I kind of drifted off to sleep after the lunch break when England took the new ball and wrapped up the Sri Lanka innings.
And I definitely slept through the fourth innings run chase of 205.
Here’s what I missed.
Ollie Pope out cheaply, making just six once more
His leadership style, a somewhat troubling eyesore
But Root showed the way
His innings saving the day
Reminiscent of his knocks from pre-Bazball yore
