by Arthur Crabtree » Sat Dec 23, 2017 6:19 pm
July.
England got a new Test cricket captain in Joe Root and a change in fortune at last in a four Test series with South Africa starting at Lord's. Garry Ballance was back for England at the captain's request, but briefly. South Africa looked a team in transition, with Dale Steyn and AB de Villiers missing and Faf du Plessis absent at some points of the tour. The tourist's batting was too weak to resist James Anderson's magnificent late career resurgence.
At the home of cricket, Joe Root's 190 was just too many runs on the board for the South Africans to match, and all summer, the lower middle order of Bairstow, Stokes, Moeen and Woakes rarely gave way. But it was Moeen with the ball who was decisive at Lord's. When du Plessis returned at Trent Bridge, South Africa levelled, but it was brief respite. England won emphatically at the Oval thanks to a fabulous debut from Toby Roland Jones, who had long deserved a chance and was given one thanks to an injury to Chris Woakes. England then extended the margin to 3-1 in Manchester where Moeen Ali was made Player of the Series.
In 2017, if India hadn't just played Sri Lanka, chances were they were just about to play them. In July in Sri Lanka, India overwhelmed the hosts in each of the three Tests, winning two by an innings and one by 304 runs. The only limit to Indians scoring runs was whether or not they would get a bat, with Pujara and Dhawan particularly severe. As at home, Pujara and Ashwin took the most wickets, but Mohammad Shami led the seam attack productively.
After the inevitable clean sweep, it felt like Sri Lanka were following West Indies down a steep slope to oblivion, and that India were only going to find engaging challenges away from their own continent. But India would again play Sri Lanka in a series before the year was out.
As is the modern way, Sri Lanka warmed up for the Indians by inviting a lightweight for a little practice sparring. Zimbabwe came to Colombo, but proved resilient, with Clive Ervine making 160 up front for the tourists to ensure a small first innings lead. As ever, Rangana Herath was the bowler to keep Sri Lanka in the contest, but the 391-6 Sri Lanka scored to win was a good effort from their batters. Even though Sri Lanka won, it was Zimbabwe who came away with the kudos.
I always say that everybody's right.