Yet another series and it was the same story from Sri Lanka, even with the presence of players like Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal didn’t change anything for Sri Lanka against the visitors (England) in 2-match red-ball series. On both the occasions, Sri Lanka team was unable to perform as a team unit from batting to bowling, everything went wrong from the hosts. Sri Lanka has lost the two series back to back, first against South Africa at their home conditions and now against England at our own home conditions. Although it was expected earlier that Sri Lanka winning the test series against England is very less but the way visitors outplayed them. It will raise questions over the choices and decisions implemented by the Sri Lanka team across the test series. If there is one positive for Sri Lanka on the tour then it is Lasith Embuldeniya who picked up 15 wickets in 2 tests and troubled the England batsman with his spin.
On the other hand, England on the back of their Joe Root (Captain leading from the front) white wash the hosts very easily. In the 4 test innings, Joe Root scored 426 runs which featured 228 runs (first test match) and 186 runs (second test match). While Dom Bess picked up 12 wickets in 2 tests and was the leading wicket-taker from England. This victory will give England team some prospect ahead of team India series how to perform in the subcontinent pitches especially against spin bowling. England after losing the toss in both test matches still come out as victorious on the back of their strong bowling attack. From Dom Bess to Jack Leach; Stuart Broad to James Anderson everyone performed for the team and pushed the opposition at the back foot when it seemed they were in the test match. Let us examine some of the key factors of both sides to know about their performances in the test series.
Sri Lanka Failed To Convert The Home Conditions Factor
On both the occasions, Sri Lanka has lost the test match after winning the toss. In test cricket, the toss has been very crucial for the home team who know the conditions very well from the other team. But it seems Sri Lanka was completely unaware about the home conditions when they were bowled out at 135 in the first innings of the first test match. The England team got the massive lead of 286 runs after scoring 421 runs in the first innings.
After such a big lead in the first innings, Sri Lanka only managed to score 359 runs in the second innings and give the target of 74 runs which England chased down with the 7 wickets. While in the second test match, Sri Lanka performed better in the first innings and scored 381 runs after the early breakthroughs provided by England. But man with form in the series Joe Root turned away the game with a brilliant knock of 186 runs in the first innings to rescue his side to score 344 runs in the first innings.
With 37 runs and two more days to go in test match, Sri Lanka first choice was to win the test match to level the series after great performance in the first innings but it went all wrong once Kusal Perera wicket went down at the score of 19/1 the Sri Lanka second innings was all out at 126 runs before given the target of 164 runs with five more sessions go in the test match.
England 62/1 to 89/4, looked in trouble against the leading wicket taker of the series Lasith Embuldeniya who picked up 3 wickets to raise some hope of a miracle. But Jos Butler and Dominic Sibley couldn't let that happen and easily guided his side to the 6 wickets victory and to win the series by 2-0.
Sri Lanka Bowlers Were In-Effective
Except Lasith Embuldeniya, every other Sri Lanka bowler was effective in the series against England batsmen. Sri Lanka team only managed to take 26 wickets of England in the series and out of which 15 were off Lasith Embuldeniya. The experienced player like Suranga Lakmal went wicket less in the deciding test match was another reason Sri Lanka bowling looked very absurd in the series.
While on the other hand, every England bowler has performed and all out the hosts four times in the series. Dom Bess and Jack Leach shared 4-4 wickets in the crucial test match to confirm the England victory with 2-0 in the series. Where every England bowler is effective, Sri Lanka experienced bowlers were wicket less which will raise the criticisms.
Even the genuine fast bowler seems to be missing in the current Sri Lanka line-up, someone like Chaminda Vass who would trouble the batsman with his cutters and in-swingers. The spin bowling has good players like Lasith Embuldeniya but how long he will be consistent like Muthaih Muralitharan, Time will tell!
