17:52
Preamble
Hello. Here’s how it usually works in Galle: the team that wins the toss bats first and wins the match. Good job everyone, thanks for coming. On a pitch that deteriorates like no other in world cricket, batting second is a huge disadvantage – and one that, for touring teams in particular, has been almost impossible to overcome.
The away side has won only two of the 21 Galle Tests in which they have fielded first. Pakistan were the victorious team on both occasions, in 2000 and 2015. Since then, India, Australia, South Africa, West Indies and Bangladesh have all lost the toss and then the match.
This hardcore statistical evidence makes England’s position in this match even more impressive. Despite losing an important toss they will resume on 320 for four, a lead of 185, and there are plenty who feel they could declare now and still win by an innings.
Sure, they were helped by a wretched batting performance from Sri Lanka, but it feels so English to appraise a potential victory by focussing on what the opposition did wrong. Sri Lanka’s batting is only one of the reasons England are on top; the list includes some whipsmart bowling from Stuart Broad, fine innings from Jonny Bairstow and Dan Lawrence – and, most of all, an unobtrusive masterclass in playing spin from Joe Root.
He resumes on 168 not out, 32 away from a fourth double hundred. Only Wally Hammond, Sir Alastair Cook and Sir Len Hutton have made as many for England. But what he really, really wants is another Test victory. If England win here it’ll be their fourth consecutive away win, following three in South Africa at the start of last year. The last time England won four Tests in a row away from home was between 1955-57. Bumble wasn’t even a teenager!
South Africa and Sri Lanka are not India and Australia, it’s true. But if England are on course to achieve something for the first time in 64 years, they must be doing something right.
Updated