Test Cricket Online - The Article

England in Sri Lanka 2001 Test series review:

First a question. What do Duncan Fletcher, Nasser Hussain's captaincy and central contracts have in common? answer later (It is a bit obvious though). I was out the night before the third and final day of the third Test, and awoke briefly to turn the radio on and find out the score. Sri Lanka were about to come out to bat a second time, and I gradually drifted of to sleep. Then bang! a wicket, bang! another wicket, and bang! Thorpe 'catches' Jayasuriya. The match is alive, and I am very awake.

The answer to the earlier question is simply that since their inception, they have all played a part in England's resurgence as a Test nation. The pinnacle (so far) of which was witnessed on the third, and final day of the third Test in Colombo. England took control of the situation, and showed more fight than the Sri Lankans. They bowled and fielded themselves into a winning position, and did not falter, as a n England side of a couple of years earlier may have.

England began on the back foot in Galle. Solid batting by Marvan Atapattu (who consequently struggled for another run all series) stood firm for 201 not out, putting Sri Lanka firmly in the driving seat. Yes the umpiring was less than impressive, and generally favoured the home side, but the better team on the day deserved their victory. England lacked a little spark, Croft was useful but not threatening, and Giles was struggling with an achilles injury.

By the second Test, the umpiring had not improved, but at least England got a decent share of the decisions, although tempers began to flare, and the message for action and improvement of standards was clear. The World Test championship will become a farce, unless these problems are given proper attention and suitable actions.

Meanwhile back on the pitch in Kandy, England were enjoying pitches with a little more life than those they had put up with in Pakistan. Indeed the seamers came out of the series with just as impressive records as the spinners. Darren Gough, undoubtedly man of the series, came out with 14 wickets at 19 apiece, while Andy Caddick toiled for nine at 25. Then come Croft and Giles, who made their important contributions in the second half of the series. For Sri Lanka, part-time spinner , opener and captain Sanath Jayasuriya took 16 wickets for just under 15, with the impressive left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas picking up 16 for a shade over 15, Murali had 14 wickets but they cost over 30. He was clearly out of sorts, and gave England the breathing space to mount a serious challenge to the home side.

The batting was useful, but never fully in control. Atherton and Trescothick made starts, Hussain (at last) and the ever reliable Graham Thorpe made centuries, but Craig white had a leaner tour. Croft took over where Salisbury left off, and made important contributions in the lower ranks, his improved bowling made his election a shrewd one in hindsight. Alongside him, Gough and Giles hung around for telling partnerships, that put England in useful positions, particularly in the second and third Test wins.

On bubble that finally seems to have burst is Graeme Hick's Test career, after standing by Graham Thorpe as England won the final Test of the Pakistan tour, he failed time and again, leaving no option but to give the bit-champing Michael Vaughan a knock. He looked more adhesive than Hick, despite a lack of recent match practise. A sorry figure Hick must be. A hundred first-class centuries to his name and a mediocre Test career. Some things just were not meant to be. I for one wish him well, and hope that his achievements will not be overshadowed by his failures.

England have successfully chased a total in three of their last four Tests. Low totals they may have been, but success is the more important fact here. Self-belief, collective confidence, n appreciation of what it is like to win matches and series', England now have all these. Talk of an ageing side is fair enough, and hopefully the management can integrate some of the leading lights from the 'A' and U19 sides, but if central contracts prevail, there is no reason why the cream of England's current Test crop cannot keep going a couple more years.

So who is next then? Pakistan, well England's seam attack will give them a good run. It will depend on Saqlain and England's batting I reckon. As for the Aussie's, winning is no longer a forgone conclusion, but they will be lean and hungry. McGrath, Gillespie and probably Brett Lee will be keen to show our pace trio how it is done, while their batting will be more experienced than our own at rearguard tactics. But with their fortress now crumbling a little, England will surely put up a decent fight. Maybe 2-1 to the visitors might be fair bet, or just maybe, no I'm not going to tempt fate, lets wait and see...

Richard Kendall

See also:
Sri Lanka v England Test Reports
1st Test, Galle> | 2nd Test, Kandy> | 3rd Test, Colombo>
India v Australia reports:
1st Test> | 2nd Test> | 3rd Test>
Web links:
England's rise up the World table from BBC Online>
Duncan Fletcher talks to SkySports.com after England's win>
Glenn McGrath talks to SkySports about the prospect of an Ashes showdown>
England series averages from Wisden.com>
Sri Lanka series averages from Wisden.com>