First Test: Sri Lanka v England in Galle, 6/11/18.

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Joe sticking with spin in tandem. Moeen and Rashid bowling in tandem now. No indifferent turn yet, nothing staying low. Normal wicket.

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That was a good ball by Rashid. Pitched outside leg and turned to get edge of Chandimals bat. Looked like Ben grabbed that in first attempt. Given out by on field but they go upstairs after a quick chat. Third umpire ruled not out. Correct decision.

95/4 after 36 overs.

[sussexpob]

Has the new ball moved for the seamers? Just wondering how both teams have struggled on such a seemingly flat pitch?

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Has the new ball moved for the seamers? Just wondering how both teams have struggled on such a seemingly flat pitch?

There has been very less deviation. Suranga got ball to wobble a bit before pitching yesterday in initial overs. That's a result of wrist position and good release. Today England pacers got some movement but nothing more than normal expected with new ball after pitching. Example being the LBW taken by Sam. Jimmy did not get any swing. The normal seam movement which should not bother specialist batsmen.

The quality of batting is a concern for both teams on this pitch. Good teams will make opponents bowl 150 to 180 overs here.

At one point I thought the hardness of ball is causing the problem and once it's lost the batsmen are playing well.

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Bowling change. Joe brings Jimmy into attack in 39th over after a very very long rest. Jimmy bowled just 5 in first spell.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Both spinners do not have a wrong one..

Mo used to get a lot of drift away from right handers but seemed to lose it when being told to bowl ever faster by the England coaches. At one time it looked like he'd make it as a Test spinner. Hasn't happened though. Obviously his batting is on the blink too.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Mo and Rashid going for far too many runs.

[meninblue]

Both spinners do not have a wrong one..

Mo used to get a lot of drift away from right handers but seemed to lose it when being told to bowl ever faster by the England coaches. At one time it looked like he'd make it as a Test spinner. Hasn't happened though. Obviously his batting is on the blink too.

Moeen Ali has been a complicated case. The original skill sets, the expectation, the utilization, the under performing results in his primary skills and better peaks in his secondary skills. Then the inconsistency. Not having a specialist spinner or not identifying one and grooming as replacement of Swann and Monty skill wise is a major issue. Now there are two specialist options. Rashid and Jack. Jack was treated and handled properly by Joe today with 12 overs in a go and was even introduced first. Then Moeen bowls ahead of specialist spinner Rashid. Things are still not clear.

[sussexpob]

5 down..... Chandimal stumped, a result of his limping footwork?

[Durhamfootman]

England bowlers sharing the wickets. Century for Foakes... well done... good start to his test career

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Wicket.

Chandimal gone stumped by Foakes of Rashids bowling.
Good flight. Looked like it was probably 86 kph and dipped. Turned quickly by enough degrees to miss the bat.

England were 113 /5. SL are 115/5.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Mathews has had a lean time of it in Tests in the past couple of years, but at least he makes the batting line up appear better on the card with him at five and he's been crucial today. He's helped add 81 runs for two wickets down.

Everyone's got a wicket each, so maybe time to introduce Gentle Ben to get the next one...

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5 down..... Chandimal stumped, a result of his limping footwork?

Wasn't affected by limping. He just did not get any connection on bat as it turned while he moved out of crease to play that.

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Bowling change. Ben into attack in 49th over. One slip for him.

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4. Takes Angelo to a 50. Well played.

Takes Lanka to 136 for 5.