England vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test at London, , May 11 2006 - Ball by Ball Commentary

RESULT
1st Test, Lord's, May 11 - 15, 2006, Sri Lanka tour of England
551/6d
(f/o) 192 & 537/9

Match drawn

Player Of The Match
61 & 119
mahela-jayawardene
New
SL 2nd Innings
Full commentary
end of over 1994 runs
SL: 537/9CRR: 2.69 
Chaminda Vaas50 (188b 7x4)
Muthiah Muralidaran1 (16b)
Matthew Hoggard 46-11-110-2
Sajid Mahmood 35-5-118-2

That's it, the game has been called off. The Sri Lankan players are celebrating at the pavilion. And so the elements have had the final say in what has been an enthralling game. After having folded up tamely, without a fight, in the first essay, Sri Lanka stood up in the second, led by a captain’s innings from Mahela Jayawardene and nearly every batsman put up a gritty fight. Tension mounted under fading light as the fascinating Test match hurtled towards a thrilling finale. Flintoff, England’s captain, threw everything at Sri Lanka- pace, swing, seam, spin and even the gentle seam-up stuff from Collingwood but they withstood it all. Time and again, victory floated towards England but their butter-fingered fieldsmen let it slip by. As the dark clouds hovered over the Lord’s, Chaminda Vaas, with a brave vigil that lasted over four hours, waged a mighty battle, and along with a belligerent Kulasekara, steered Sri Lanka to safety. The Sri Lankans now head to Hove for a game against Sussex, starting on May 18 before they face England in the second Test, starting on May 25, at Birmingham. If the first Test is any indication, we could have another cracker of a contest. This is Sriram Veera, along with Sajan Nair, signing off. Good bye and Good luck!

And the bad light has been offered! and off they go. Quite a picture this: Two happy Sri Lankans and 11 dejected Englishmen troop off. It has been a gripping game so far and it's not over yet. No official announcement has been made yet but one gets the feeling that Sri Lanka have done enough to draw this game. It's dark and murky at Lord's and if it stays like this, it could well be curtains on what has been an enthralling game. Stay tuned for further updates

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198.6
Hoggard to Vaas, no run

full-length delivery outside the off stump, Vaas covers the line and lets it go to Jones.

198.5
4
Hoggard to Vaas, FOUR runs

Fifty up for Vaas as he flicks a ball down the leg to the fine-leg fence. A most priceless knock from Vaas. four hours and 12 minutes for this fifty, a long brave and a valuable vigil in the middle.

198.4
Hoggard to Vaas, no run

again another outside the off stump, inviting Vaas to have a go, but resisted by the batsman, left alone

198.3
Hoggard to Vaas, no run

outside the off stump, no stroke offered

198.2
Hoggard to Vaas, no run

full, on the off stump, another full toss, driven to Panesar at mid-off

198.1
Hoggard to Vaas, no run

low full toss, driven to deep cover. Doesn't take the run!

end of over 198Maiden
SL: 533/9CRR: 2.69 
Muthiah Muralidaran1 (16b)
Chaminda Vaas46 (182b 6x4)
Sajid Mahmood 35-5-118-2
Matthew Hoggard 45-11-106-2
197.6
Mahmood to Murali, no run

on a length, outside the off stump, Murali stays rooted at his initial batting position and just puts his bat out to steer it to gully

197.5
Mahmood to Murali, no run

comes forward and pushes it to backward short leg where Plunkett makes the stop. One more to keep away for Murali

197.4
Mahmood to Murali, no run

worked a full-length delivery to short leg.

Vaas is having chat with the Umpire Aleem Dar about the fading light

197.3
Mahmood to Murali, no run

bouncer! and Murali tumbles down in a comical fashion but the important thing is that he has survived

197.2
Mahmood to Murali, no run

short of length, outside the off stump, steered to Pietersen at backward point

197.1
Mahmood to Murali, no run

outside the off stump, Murali shoulders arms! wasted delivery, it was a foot outside the off stump

Dark clouds hovering over again. Wonder how long before the light is offered.

end of over 1975 runs
SL: 533/9CRR: 2.70 
Chaminda Vaas46 (182b 6x4)
Muthiah Muralidaran1 (10b)
Matthew Hoggard 45-11-106-2
Sajid Mahmood 34-4-118-2
196.6
Hoggard to Vaas, no run

slower ball outside the off stump, left alone

196.6
5nb
Hoggard to Vaas, (no ball) FOUR runs

short and this one raises head high but Vaas is ready this time, pulls it past Cook, at square-leg, and it screamed to the fence!

196.5
Hoggard to Vaas, no run

Good slower ball this time but Vaas is equal to the task, waits and turns it to square leg

196.4
Hoggard to Vaas, no run

another bouncer, Vaas sways away

196.3
Hoggard to Vaas, no run

ooh! another snorter! this one heads straight towards Vaas' throat, and fended off ungainly, in the air, to square leg. Vaas survives.

196.2
Hoggard to Vaas, no run

short one and Vaas ducks underneath it

196.1
Hoggard to Vaas, no run

delivered from round the wicket, full and around the off stump, driven to covers

end of over 1961 run
SL: 528/9CRR: 2.69 
Muthiah Muralidaran1 (10b)
Chaminda Vaas42 (175b 5x4)
Sajid Mahmood 34-4-118-2
Matthew Hoggard 44-11-101-2
195.6
Mahmood to Murali, no run
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