Cook's patience and Malinga's hostility
Andrew Miller provides the plays of the first day between Sri Lanka and England at Colombo
Andrew Miller in Colombo
09-Dec-2007
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Over of the day
At 237 for 3 and with half an hour of the day's play remaining, England were in sight of a satisfactory day's work. It had been slow and sapping, and possibly less rewarding than they had envisaged. Still, they were expecting to lay claim to at least a share of the spoils. And then Lasith Malinga wrecked all their good work in the space of two new-ball deliveries. If Cook's leg-before decision was debatable, there could be no quibbling with his follow-up to Ravi Bopara. Full, fast and swinging, it ripped through the new boy's defences and brought to mind the low-slung hostility Malinga generated in that incredible World Cup spell in Guyana. He's been quiet in this series so far, but he's always been about more than just his haircuts.
At 237 for 3 and with half an hour of the day's play remaining, England were in sight of a satisfactory day's work. It had been slow and sapping, and possibly less rewarding than they had envisaged. Still, they were expecting to lay claim to at least a share of the spoils. And then Lasith Malinga wrecked all their good work in the space of two new-ball deliveries. If Cook's leg-before decision was debatable, there could be no quibbling with his follow-up to Ravi Bopara. Full, fast and swinging, it ripped through the new boy's defences and brought to mind the low-slung hostility Malinga generated in that incredible World Cup spell in Guyana. He's been quiet in this series so far, but he's always been about more than just his haircuts.
Innings of the day
Throughout the first session, it seemed there was only one man to whom this day was going to belong. Michael Vaughan was in such superlative touch that by lunch he had outscored his junior partner by four runs to one. And yet, as the shadows began to creep, only one of the pairing was still standing. Cook committed himself to survival, and endured in the manner that recalled the endeavours of his Essex team-mate, Nasser Hussain, seven years ago. Patience is the key in Sri Lanka, as all the sages in the England set-up like to profess. Cook couldn't quite see it through to the close, but he was the only man who looked like heeding that advice.
Throughout the first session, it seemed there was only one man to whom this day was going to belong. Michael Vaughan was in such superlative touch that by lunch he had outscored his junior partner by four runs to one. And yet, as the shadows began to creep, only one of the pairing was still standing. Cook committed himself to survival, and endured in the manner that recalled the endeavours of his Essex team-mate, Nasser Hussain, seven years ago. Patience is the key in Sri Lanka, as all the sages in the England set-up like to profess. Cook couldn't quite see it through to the close, but he was the only man who looked like heeding that advice.
Drop of the day
It hasn't been the easiest of series for Cook. His Kandy experience lasted all of seven balls and though he had been hanging around for rather longer than that today, the runs were refusing to flow. After limping to 8 from 38 balls, he edged Dilhara Fernando into no-man's land between first and second slip. Realistically it was Kumar Sangakkara's catch, but Mahela Jayawardene at second dived straight across his team-mate, and the moment was lost. As England learnt to their cost at Kandy, such let-offs can be crucial.
It hasn't been the easiest of series for Cook. His Kandy experience lasted all of seven balls and though he had been hanging around for rather longer than that today, the runs were refusing to flow. After limping to 8 from 38 balls, he edged Dilhara Fernando into no-man's land between first and second slip. Realistically it was Kumar Sangakkara's catch, but Mahela Jayawardene at second dived straight across his team-mate, and the moment was lost. As England learnt to their cost at Kandy, such let-offs can be crucial.
Dismissal of the day
Like some mad scientist, Vaughan is always on the look-out for new and inventive ways to get out - handling the ball, getting bowled off the underside of his thigh pad, serving up miracle one-handed plucks to outstretched fast bowlers and the list goes on. Today, with a century there for the taking, he decided to test the adhesiveness of Jehan Mubarak's thighs with a firm tuck off the hips. Mubarak at short leg stood his ground, clenched his legs together, and rolled over backwards to end the most fluent innings of the day
Like some mad scientist, Vaughan is always on the look-out for new and inventive ways to get out - handling the ball, getting bowled off the underside of his thigh pad, serving up miracle one-handed plucks to outstretched fast bowlers and the list goes on. Today, with a century there for the taking, he decided to test the adhesiveness of Jehan Mubarak's thighs with a firm tuck off the hips. Mubarak at short leg stood his ground, clenched his legs together, and rolled over backwards to end the most fluent innings of the day
Controversy of the day
A monstrous moment, and potentially a match-turning one as well. Kevin Pietersen drove with hard hands at his fifth delivery, and squirted a sharp edge low to Chamara Silva's left at third slip. Silva reacted brilliantly, scooped the ball off the turf, juggled it as he fell to earth, by which time Sangakkara at first had swooped round to tidy the rebound. Sri Lanka's reaction was ecstatic and the umpires were convinced, but replays suggested the chance had gone to ground at the first attempt. Pietersen somehow attracts these moments. Against India at Lord's last summer he was reprieved as he reached the pavilion gate, and once again he loitered with every intention of carrying on his innings. This time it wasn't to be, and England's momentum was well and truly quashed.
A monstrous moment, and potentially a match-turning one as well. Kevin Pietersen drove with hard hands at his fifth delivery, and squirted a sharp edge low to Chamara Silva's left at third slip. Silva reacted brilliantly, scooped the ball off the turf, juggled it as he fell to earth, by which time Sangakkara at first had swooped round to tidy the rebound. Sri Lanka's reaction was ecstatic and the umpires were convinced, but replays suggested the chance had gone to ground at the first attempt. Pietersen somehow attracts these moments. Against India at Lord's last summer he was reprieved as he reached the pavilion gate, and once again he loitered with every intention of carrying on his innings. This time it wasn't to be, and England's momentum was well and truly quashed.
Fight of the day
Ricky Hatton v Floyd Mayweather. It may have been taking place on the other side of the world, but the world title bout in Las Vegas was the only topic of conversation on the morning of the Test. The ground was echoingly empty for the first session of play as most of the Barmy Army chose to watch the contest in the lounge at the Hilton. One punter was even said to have asked Angus Fraser over breakfast: "Which are you off to watch today, the cricket or the boxing?"
Ricky Hatton v Floyd Mayweather. It may have been taking place on the other side of the world, but the world title bout in Las Vegas was the only topic of conversation on the morning of the Test. The ground was echoingly empty for the first session of play as most of the Barmy Army chose to watch the contest in the lounge at the Hilton. One punter was even said to have asked Angus Fraser over breakfast: "Which are you off to watch today, the cricket or the boxing?"
Idiot of the day
Midway through the 70th over, a streaker decided to liven up proceedings by hopping over the fence and giving a quick twirl of the outfield. So far, so very average. The amusing aspect came a couple of minutes later. Reunited with his shorts, and with a T-shirt draped over his shoulder, he strutted along the hill, taking the salute from England's fans, and generally loving his moment. Unfortunately, his cockiness left the ground authorities in no doubt whatsoever as to his identity. And off he was led to the local slammer, busted by his own bravado.
Midway through the 70th over, a streaker decided to liven up proceedings by hopping over the fence and giving a quick twirl of the outfield. So far, so very average. The amusing aspect came a couple of minutes later. Reunited with his shorts, and with a T-shirt draped over his shoulder, he strutted along the hill, taking the salute from England's fans, and generally loving his moment. Unfortunately, his cockiness left the ground authorities in no doubt whatsoever as to his identity. And off he was led to the local slammer, busted by his own bravado.
Andrew Miller is UK editor of Cricinfo