Can Sri Lanka overcome Cardiff calamity? (Preview)

England may still be in search of a winning combination in the limited overs format but the test side is a menacing unit after the incredible win over Sri Lanka at Cardiff. The rain affected match was heading for a tame draw until the English bowlers pulled a rabbit out of the hat by rolling over the visitors inside two hours. As a result, hosts start the Lord’s test in the driver’s seat having landed a psychological blow on their opponents.

It will be hard for Dilshan and Co. to recover from such a demoralizing defeat and face the same attack on a track that may not be as conducive for batting. Though, P Jayawardene’s ton in the first innings was a definite positive but the batting just wilted against hostile bowling from Graeme Swann and Chris Tremlett. The experienced pair of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene (both former captains) did not impress many; the grueling IPL having taken a lot out of them physically as well as mentally may be the culprit in their case.

Tillakaratne Dilshan is a man under tremendous pressure to deliver as a skipper and key batsman. Throw in the mix an ineffective bowling line up that is light on quality as well as big names, Sri Lanka are looking for cover very early in the tour. Without the services of Lasith Malinga and Muthaih Murlitharan, the chances of twenty English wickets in a match are remote if not an impossibility.

If Sri Lanka had only one thing to cheer at Cardiff, the English camp was full of loud laughter except Kevin Peterson whose weakness against left arm spin is fast becoming a subject of lengthy analysis and ridicule. He for sure would like to set the record straight at cricket’s most cherished venue and deal with his latest nemesis Rangana Herath with the disdain that made him a poster boy in English cricket. In an otherwise solid batting display, Peterson was the only to have missed out in the last match on a docile strip. Jonathan Trot continued his dream run with yet another big score, his sixth century in just 19 matches with average over 66 make for remarkable numbers. Other centurions who starred in the first test victory, Alistair Cook and Ian Bell just don’t look like getting out.

More than the batters, game was eventually won by a bowling attack that comprised only three specialists. Though the spearhead of English attack, James Anderson did not bowl in the second innings, yet the Lankans were routed in only 25 overs. Swann’s 7-wicket haul and a destructive spell from Tremlett made the difference for the team. Anderson’s side strain meant uncapped Jade Dernbach got an opportunity to don the whites but he will find it difficult to break into the playing eleven as Steven Finn is likely to get the nod ahead of him.

After a successful away Ashes campaign, the Strauss led side’s dramatic victory at the start of summer is definitely a sign of things to come. They may not have achieved the status of world beaters but if they carry on last week’s form, the coveted number one spot in the test rankings is not too far away. For visitors, survival will be the priority.

England Squad: Andrew Strauss (c), Alistair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior (wk), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Chris Tremlett, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn.

Sri Lanka Squad: Tillakaratne Dilshan (c), Ajantha Mendis, Chanaka Welegedara, Dilhara Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Farveez Maharoof, K Sangakkara, Kaushal Silva (wk), Lahiru Thirimanne, M Jayawardene, P Jayawardene (wk), Rangana Herath, Suraj Randiv, Suranga Lakmal, Tharanga Paranavitan, Thilan Samaraweera, Thissara Perera