CRICKET FIRST TEST:VICTORIES DO not come more sudden, unexpectedly or explosively than that perpetrated by England over Sri Lanka yesterday. As the rain washed heavily down on Cardiff throughout the morning and the early afternoon, it would have required supreme optimism to envisage more than an opportunity to put a mischievous wind up the visitors.
Instead, after Ian Bell, 98 not out overnight, had been accorded the honour of completing his 13th Test century, England – a bowler light because of the injury to Jimmy Anderson – summoned up a hurricane and simply blew the Sri Lankan batting into oblivion.
Needing only 97 to avoid an innings defeat, Sri Lanka were dismissed for 82, losing by an innings and 14 runs. It had taken 24 overs and four deliveries, the shortest innings in terms of balls bowled they have played and the fastest England have dismissed a side since Geoff Arnold and Chris Old disposed of India for 42 at Lord’s in 1972.
In one heady period of 39 balls after the tea interval six wickets fell processionally for 19 runs, and the last eight fell in just under an hour. It was the fourth innings win for England in five Tests, following those in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney during the winter, while each of their past five victories have been by an innings margin.
Chris Tremlett, outstanding with the new ball, and Graeme Swann, mesmerising at the other end, took four wickets apiece while Stuart Broad simply muscled the last two wickets in three deliveries – no messing.
Tremlett removed Tharanga Paranavitana in his first over and Tillakaratne Dilshan in his second and, as the teams strolled off for the interval, the glimmer of a possibility, evident in the carry and movement obtained by the bowler, began to dawn.
After the interval England were unstoppable, a force so irresistible the Sri Lankan batsmen had neither the skill nor, it appeared at times, the appetite to fight it. Tremlett removed Mahela Jayawardene straight away, to Strauss at slip again, and next over Swann bowled Thilan Samaraweera as he made to cut one that kept low.
When Kumar Sangakkara was then well caught at slip off Swann, Sri Lanka were 43 for five and the engine room of their batting was gone.
Tremlett had found bounce and Swann turn. Farveez Maharoof was caught at the wicket and foolishly referred it, to no avail, and Prasanna Jayawardene attempted to hook a short ball where discretion was called for, gloving a catch that was given on referral. By now the sun was out, while time and overs were on England’s side.
Rangana Herath heaved and was palpably lbw to Swann – four for four at that stage – and then Thisara Perera, having belted four boundaries, three of them in an over from the tiring Tremlett, was brilliantly caught by Bell at short-leg as he fended off a bouncer from the enforcer Broad.
The last man, Suranga Lakmal, did not stand a chance. Twenty-six overs remained unused as the England players danced their triumphant joy.
The difference this win will make to England as they decamp for the second Test at Lord’s, starting on Friday, is immense. A draw and, given the position they had established through the centuries from Alastair Cook, the man of the match Jonathan Trott and Bell, they might have felt robbed by the weather. Now they know that Sri Lanka can be obliterated in English conditions and, which is as much, Sri Lanka know they know.
The England selectors are not announcing their squad until this morning and one of their number, James Whitaker, is remaining in Durham, to look no doubt at the continuing progress of Graham Onions, who may well be named.
Guardian Service
Sri Lanka first innings 400
ENGLAND FIRST INNINGS CONTINUED
(overnight 491-5)
I Bell not out 103
E Morgan not out 14
Extras: (b 10 lb 4 nb 5) 19
Total: (for five wickets dec 155 overs) 496
Fall of wickets: 1-46 2-47 3-298 4-305 5-465, Bowling: Lakmal 22-4-68-1 (1nb), Perera 24-5-81-0, Dilshan 16-1-60-1, Maharoof 28-3-92-1 (3nb), Mendis 21-4-66-1 (1nb), Herath 44-7-115-1.
SRI LANKA SECOND INNINGS
T Paranavitana c Strauss b Tremlett 0
T Dilshan c b Tremlett 10
K Sangakkara c Strauss b Swann 14
M Jayawardene c Strauss b Tremlett 15
T Samaraweera b Swann 0
P Jayawardene c Prior b Tremlett 3
F Maharoof c Prior b Swann 0
T Perera c Bell b Broad 20
R Herath lbw b Swann 3
A Mendis not out 12
RAS Lakmal c Cook b Broad 0
Extras (b-5) 5
Total (all out; 24.4 overs) 82
Fall of wickets: 1-1 2-10 3-33 4-36 5-43 6-43 7-43 8-52 9-82 10-82. Bowling: Broad 7.4-1-21-2, Tremlett 10-2-40-4, Swann 7-1-16-4 Result: England won by an innings and 14 runs
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