"During the first hour of this match the grass banks on each side of the wicket filled both in number and belief. Dot balls set off boisterous celebrations, wickets provoked delirium. An increasingly joyous crowd whooped as England's batters trooped dolefully to and from the square. Mexican waves rippled around a stadium already and prematurely as it turned out in full celebration."
"England were restricted to 146 for nine, an innings that revealed a few demons in the pitch and several, it seemed, in their heads. Again England faltered against spin. Jos Buttler remains in a pitiful search of form. Tom Banton was run out seeking a make-believe single, a victim of his own scrambled decision-making. Jacob Bethell, rather than giving himself a few moments to get the measure of Maheesh Theekshana,"
During the first hour the crowd celebrated every dot ball and wicket as England's batters struggled on a testing pitch. England were limited to 146 for nine amid faltering against spin and visible lapses in judgment from several players. Jos Buttler remained out of form. Tom Banton was run out attempting a questionable single. Jacob Bethell attacked a spinner's first ball instead of settling in. The crowd delighted in each mis-step and England's total looked hardly defendable. Sri Lanka's chase then stumbled early with multiple quick wickets, leaving them deeply in trouble at the powerplay.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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