Sustaining Momentum on England's Agenda (Preview)

Not often, England outclass their opponents, strong ones in particular, in a one day game. On Tuesday, they pipped Sri Lanka at The Oval and, in some style too. The first fixture of the five match series turned out to be lop-sided affair with the home team literally all over Sri Lanka.

For the hosts, Tuesday victory was outstanding in more than one ways. It coincided with the beginning of England’s new era in the limited overs’ cricket. The fixture was England’s first under new skipper Alastair Cook who took the reins after the retirement of Andrew Strauss. And, also, some of the oldies were dumped to pave a way for some young players, who England selectors feel can play big role in world cup, 2015. Not only triumph over a strong Sri Lankan outfit would have added to the confidence in the camp, a feel good about kind of a feeling would have set in Cook and his charges’ overall demeanour.

What was refreshing about England were the energy levels, passion and desire to win, its players exhibited. Cook failed with the bat on his captaincy debut, but majority of his top order didn’t. The batsmen showed intent and positivity right throughout the rain shortened innings, and, unlike the past, innings didn’t stagnate in the middle overs. In the swinging and seaming conditions and James Anderson bowling as well as he did, Sri Lanka were never in the hunt, losing the game by a big margin of 111 runs.

All of a sudden England look a team having more bases covered than Sri Lanka. Star batsmen Kevin Pietersen looks in a good nick and hungry for runs, Ian Bell assured and purposeful at the crease as ever, Eoin Morgan as innovative and intentful only can be and Johnathan gives the team the insurance in case they are some are stutters. Wicket keeper Craig Kieswetter played a real gem in his comeback game and should give him sureness about his plans at top of the order.

And, with Anderson looking in a good rhythm and Jade Dernbach having a good outing on his debut, England look a serious outfit in the conditions favorable for their style of bowling. Graeme Swann’s off-spin gives control in the middle overs and Stuart Broad aggression to be at the batsmen all the time. Under Andy Flower’s regime, fielding has always been on a high. Now, it is all about momentum for Cook and going by the conditions in Headingley, the home should make life difficult for Sri Lanka yet again.

In contrary, the Tilkerratne Dilshan led side has looked a shadow of themselves. Their bowlers couldn’t stop English batsmen from going great guns, struggled in the field and batsmen were blown out in the swinging conditions by Anderson and Co. Their champion batsmen Sanath Jayasuriya had to bid a good bye to his illustrious career on a very sour note. His team was beaten comprehensively and he didn’t score many himself as well. Certainly, not an ideal way for a legend to dusk away from a cricket field.

Dilshan will have to find a quick solution to plethora of problems his team is facing. By the look of things, the runner-ups in the world cup don’t seem to enjoy their cricket, of late. There seems to be a mental block that is preventing them from playing their best cricket, apparently, it has to do with lot happening off the field in Sri Lankan cricket. Unabated political interference in the cricketing matters has handicapped the team from giving the desired results.

To change the fortunes of the side, the spotlight will be again on Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawerdena.  The duo will have to take responsibility and runs should also come from Dilshan himself to make things easier for his side. Lasith Malinga should make a statement after retiring from long version of the game and mentor young fast bowlers in the side. Simply, things aren’t happening for the touring side and England, on the other hand, are already looking a confident side under Cook’s stewardship.

For Sri Lanka to make a move on, they need to forget the damage inflicting defeat on Tuesday and back themselves to compete with England in alien conditions. It is matter of sustaining momentum for the home team, and, make headway in their pursuit of bringing England’s ODI cricket on track.

ENGLAND SQUAD: Alastair Cook (capt), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Craig Kieswetter, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott, Chris Woakes.

SRI LANKA SQUAD: T Dilshan (c), T Kandambi, K Sangakkara (wk), M Jayawardena, D Chandimal, J Mendis, Dimuth Karunaratne, Thissara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekera, Suranga Lakmal, Damikka Prasad, Suraj Randiv, Ajantha Mendis, Angelo Mathews.