Before the start of the first Test match, Sri Lanka were the clear favourites in Galle. But, after four days of uninterrupted action, England have secured their maiden Test win in Galle with plenty of records shattered.
Reporting from Galle
The hosts were far more experienced in terms of run-making and taking wickets with spin at Galle. Yet, they were completely outplayed in all three departments by the determined visitors.
Debutant and Man of the Match, Ben Foakes’ brilliant hundred was crucial to get a commanding first innings total, before their spin trio of Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Jack Leach rattled the hosts.
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Opening batsman Keaton Jennings then played a fine, excellent knock to stretch that lead out of Sri Lanka’s reach.
With a target of 462 runs to get, Sri Lanka were nowhere near in chasing that down as England’s spin troika were at work again, sharing 8 wickets between them.
“We had taken five wickets early but we couldn’t take the game forward. Players with not much experience scored runs for them. After reducing them to 100 for 5 and if you had given another 150 runs for the next five batters, we would have been still in the game at this stage. We made a mistake there. Then, when we were batting in the first innings, we lost four wickets for 40 odd runs. A total of 203 was a poor show. This kind of wicket when you are placed so badly it is going to be tough.” Sri Lanka Head Coach Chandika Hathurusingha said.
Former captain Angelo Mathews was the batsman to go pass 50 runs in the entire match for Sri Lanka as several top order batsmen fell cheaply.
Some of the strokes attempted by the Sri Lankan batsmen are questionable. Sri Lankan batsmen are known to have natural instincts as they play as they were bowled out for 203 and 250 respectively in both innings.
“When you play Test cricket, you need to understand how people are going to get you out – even at club cricket you need to understand that,” Hathurusingha further stated. “You cannot come to international cricket and learn that. If you are doing things like playing against turn and getting out, it is sad. The opposition looks like they are playing with school kids.
Photos: Sri Lanka Vs. England | 1st Test – Day 4
“It is very disappointing with the way we got out – getting out to the traps they set. You can play your natural game, but that doesn’t mean you are given free licence to play shots regardless of the situation. You need to understand what the opposition is trying to do.”
England came into this game with a 13-match winless streak away from home. This victory means a lot to a young English side. They were clinical in the ODIs and have brought forward that performances into the longest format of the game. The 211-run crushing handed to the hosts is also England’s biggest win against Sri Lanka in terms of runs, eclipsing a 137-run win at Lord’s in 1991.
“It’s obviously great to see guys come into the team and really take their opportunities. But as a collection, the way we played throughout the four days, with everyone contributing and playing a part is really pleasing. We said we were going to do things slightly differently at the start of the series and we’ve really backed that up and given ourselves a really good chance to go to Kandy with a lot of confidence and back-up what’s been a brilliant four-days here.” England Captain Joe Root said.
