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

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Rory again moving down the wicket to spinner and failing to connect the ball. Luckily hits pad and doesn't reaches keeper.

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Only one ball which was tough to play against spin (considering it spun a bit against the angle it was bowled) so far in 40 minutes of play.

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Direct hit. Feel this is out.

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Rory run out. Waste of wicket.

Rory played it deep in crease on back foot toward mid off. Karuraratne runs few steps forward and effects direct hit.

England 60/1.

That's equalled England's highest opening stand in last 20 tests.

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Bowling change. Herath into the attack in 26th over. Replacing Suranga from this end. Think may be if it has rained overnight the moisture is not allowing the surface to crack or generate severe rough on its own.. Whatever that is available is the pace bowlers foot marks to exploit and the spikes effect created by Rory coming down the wicket. Also probably Jimmy's footmark when he landed twice in red zone and got warned.

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Athers saying that given the standards this is a placid wicket to bat on. Spot on i would say.

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Caught out. Simple catch offered by Moeen on full pitched ball from Dilruwan. Moeen flops again with bat. Landed sideways in line of foot and he did not have any chance to get underneath it. Just 3 runs. Herath makes it looks tougher by falling down on ground after taking it. Above 40 people are allowed to make it look tough

67/2 in 26.3 overs

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One good thing of Keaton is he does not mixes test match with T20 like most other players. Atleast the basic approach is suitable for the format that he is playing. Typical classic approach.

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Joe caught behind. Herath strikes. 74/3.

Pitched on middle to leg and turned. Joe had to play at it, but instead of middling on the defensive blade, got an edge. Well bowled by Herath.

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Find it very odd that Moeen is being viewed as No. 3 option. Does he has the technique and other attributes to be a No.3 in tests. I don't think so.

At one point of time the number 3's were Rahul Dravid, Jonathan Trott, Hashim Amla, Sangakkara, Kallis, Ponting. Younis Khan. 7 teams had a super No. 3 batsman. Now the No 3.is diluted version of previous No 3. The spot is being occupied by very lesser batsman nowadays in many teams.

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Keaton sweeps one to fine leg for a single to reach 50. Very good innings. Not the toughest of wicket expected in Asia but still imo he deserves credit for the application, patience, temperament and shot selection. When others are showing lack of it, including the SL batsmen he has stood out.

85/3. Lead of 225 runs.

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With the strokeplayers like Rory, Moeen, Ben, Jonny England are too much full of them in test lineup. A few proper test match oriented batsmen (whoever they are) will be welcome i suppose in strategical aspect.

15 minutes away from Lunch break.

Meanwhile a reverse sweep by Keaton. Probably getting complacent after a 50.

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Another reverse sweep by Keaton. Both of them played against Herath. 58 runs from 125 balls for him.

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Lunch. 111/3. 250 runs lead.


Well played by Keaton. Got a reprieve though when he was on 58 and survived a LBW as SL did not review it. Was pads first.


Top 5 innings by balls played so far in this test match:

Ben Foakes - 202 balls
Keaton - 130* balls
Angelo - 125 balls
Sam - 104 balls
Jos - 72 balls

The art of playing long innings is not exhibited this test. One would expect a 300 ball - 450 balls innings from at least one batsman on such a type of batting wicket.

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Maiden over post lunch.