England v Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Day 3 Review

Posted on May 28, 2011 by Site Admin in Tests

Close of play

England 287-2 (Cook 129*, Trott 125*)
Sri Lanka 400 (P Jayawardene 112, Anderson 3-66)

In a sentence

Trott and Cook cruised along at a gentle pace in 240 run partnership where neither player ever looked seriously troubled by a popgun attack.

Player of the day

The two headed monster that is Johnister Trook. A familiar sight to watchers of English test cricket over the last 6 months, Cook and Trott were as comfortable as a Cheshire cat spread out on a pillow in front of the fire. The runs were carefully shelved and ordered rather than piled on, but another day of obedient work at the crease from these two would be very welcome indeed in the England dressing room.

Moment of the day

The England pair took advantage of the extra pace of the new ball and the marginally more adventurous fields that accompanied it, best summed up by a powerfully succinct cover drive for 4 played by Cook off Herath in the 87th over. It was a terrific display of the command over bowling Cook now possesses and served as a warning for any who may write off the Essex opener’s feats in the winter as a fluke.

Outlook for tomorrow

It’s difficult to see such a moderate Sri Lanka attack dismiss England for a low enough total to create themselves a lead. Barring the weather the home side should push past 400 tomorrow – but with no Anderson in the field and more rain to come predicting anything other than a draw seems fanciful.