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

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Moeen into attack. So spin in tandem with Jack and Moeen.

Slip and short leg.

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Dropped. Dimuth survives on 16 runs. Ben drops regulation catch at first slip. Didn't even go in and out of palm. The most part of ball hit finger tips

Spun few inches and Dimuth failed to middle it.

What should have been 44/1 is now 44/0.

[alfie]

Finally Jack into attack in 17th over of this innings. Settles easily to proper line.

Bit of a test for Jack , this. He was unable to bowl NZ out on debut ; this gives him a chance to show he can be the destructive spinner England want - especially in Asian conditions. First innings here was a useful effort . He'd probably have expected a bit more pitch deterioration for this innings than has eventuated , but that large run and time target is surely going to help him build pressure...

Moeen joins him in the attack...and nearly strikes ! Stokes doesn't drop many. Promising start for Mo , if unlucky.

[meninblue]

Finally Jack into attack in 17th over of this innings. Settles easily to proper line.

Bit of a test for Jack , this. He was unable to bowl NZ out on debut ; this gives him a chance to show he can be the destructive spinner England want - especially in Asian conditions. First innings here was a useful effort . He'd probably have expected a bit more pitch deterioration for this innings than has eventuated , but that large run and time target is surely going to help him build pressure...

Moeen joins him in the attack...and nearly strikes ! Stokes doesn't drop many. Promising start for Mo , if unlucky.

Totally agree

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Drinks. Openers intact after one hour. One chance but credit to them.


SL 51/0 in 22 overs.

[alfie]

Lot of analysis from the comms re that drop : seemed to me Stokes did get a bit distracted by Foakes' initial attempt to catch it...it really can be tricky close up at slip to a spinner as you don't have much time from the moment it passes the keeper's gloves. I know they practice this but it happens fast and sometimes you can misjudge. Ball also seemed to fall quicker than Stokes expected. Yes , call it straightforward but they never are when you drop them...
Just one of those things. Hopefully Stokes won't dwell on it too much.

[alfie]

Leach gets his man ! Kaushal an ill- judged sweep and a worse judged revue...stone dead.

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Kaushal LBW to Jack on 30. SL 41/1 in 22.3. Review wasted by SL. Plumb.

Good one by Jack. Wide from bowling crease angled to middle and pitches middle, hold the line and spins slightly.

5 overs, 10 runs and a wicket for him so far.

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Chandimal in whites. Looks like he will come to bat later.

[alfie]

Chandimal in whites. Looks like he will come to bat later.

He'd better ! He's in my fantasy team and lord knows I need some points

Moeen c&b Karunaratne so Stokes will be relieved...

59/2

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Dimuth caught and bowled Moeen on 26. Easy return catch as Dinuth stepped down the wicket and whack it back over Moeen for 4.

SL 60/2 in 25.2

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Chandimal in whites. Looks like he will come to bat later.

He'd better ! He's in my fantasy team and lord knows I need some points

Moeen c&b Karunaratne so Stokes will be relieved...

59/2

I also picked Chandimal. Think he might miss the series.

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30 minutes for Lunch. England have a big cushion, infact it's like king size bed. 71/2 with 5 session with three spinners should seal the win.

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Rashid into attack. Couple of very full pitched balls at 80 kph. 1 from it.

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Full toss by Rashid. Kushal lofts it over square leg for 4.