DRS drama and a Swann super over
Plays of the Day from the fourth day of the second Test between Sri Lanka and England in Colombo
Andrew McGlashan in Colombo
06-Apr-2012
Tillakaratne Dilshan was less than happy with his dismissal • Getty Images
Plan of the day
England were being frustrated by the efforts of nightwatchman Dhammika Prasad who had withstood whatever James Anderson or Graeme Swann threw at him. Then a change of plan worked perfectly. The field was set for a short delivery from Steven Finn - with two men out in the deep and a short leg - so Prasad knew what was coming but still obligingly hooked straight to deep square. Finn gave him a little clap as he walked off.
England were being frustrated by the efforts of nightwatchman Dhammika Prasad who had withstood whatever James Anderson or Graeme Swann threw at him. Then a change of plan worked perfectly. The field was set for a short delivery from Steven Finn - with two men out in the deep and a short leg - so Prasad knew what was coming but still obligingly hooked straight to deep square. Finn gave him a little clap as he walked off.
Chirping of the day
There was a bit of needle out in the middle as England hunted early breakthroughs. Anderson had plenty to say to Prasad, and followed through towards the batsman on a couple of occasions, but they were not the only words exchanged. Tillakaratne Dilshan was far from happy when he thought Alastair Cook had walked across a good length in his spikes. Dilshan spoke to the umpires and a few of the England players chipped back at Dilshan, presumably about him wanting a nightwatchman. In the end, the umpires asked the captain, Andrew Strauss, to have a word before anyone stepped over the line.
There was a bit of needle out in the middle as England hunted early breakthroughs. Anderson had plenty to say to Prasad, and followed through towards the batsman on a couple of occasions, but they were not the only words exchanged. Tillakaratne Dilshan was far from happy when he thought Alastair Cook had walked across a good length in his spikes. Dilshan spoke to the umpires and a few of the England players chipped back at Dilshan, presumably about him wanting a nightwatchman. In the end, the umpires asked the captain, Andrew Strauss, to have a word before anyone stepped over the line.
Debate of the day
When Dilshan was given out against Swann he immediately called for a review. He was convinced he had not hit the ball but the replays - without the aid of Hot Spot - were inconclusive so Bruce Oxenford's on-field decision stood after a very lengthy wait as Rod Tucker studied the pictures. Dilshan was fuming as he trudged off, but it was not a shocking decision.
When Dilshan was given out against Swann he immediately called for a review. He was convinced he had not hit the ball but the replays - without the aid of Hot Spot - were inconclusive so Bruce Oxenford's on-field decision stood after a very lengthy wait as Rod Tucker studied the pictures. Dilshan was fuming as he trudged off, but it was not a shocking decision.
Bowling change of the day
Regardless of the role of DRS in Dilshan's dismissal, it provided immediate reward for Swann who had been surprisingly overlooked straight after lunch as Samit Patel was given a spell from the Press Box End. Patel was not expensive but neither was he a huge threat. Swann wasted no time in making his mark and provided a constant danger.
Regardless of the role of DRS in Dilshan's dismissal, it provided immediate reward for Swann who had been surprisingly overlooked straight after lunch as Samit Patel was given a spell from the Press Box End. Patel was not expensive but neither was he a huge threat. Swann wasted no time in making his mark and provided a constant danger.
Drop of the day
The perfect start for England after tea would have been a quick wicket and they came within fingertips of getting one. Mahela Jayawardene came down the pitch at Patel, again given an early-session bowl, and aimed a lofted drive over mid-on but it did not come out of the middle. It flew towards Tim Bresnan who had to backpedal - as Kevin Pietersen did successfully on the second morning to catch Suraj Randiv - but he could not get the required airtime to pull in the catch. It was not an easy chance, but in conditions like this everything needed to be taken.
The perfect start for England after tea would have been a quick wicket and they came within fingertips of getting one. Mahela Jayawardene came down the pitch at Patel, again given an early-session bowl, and aimed a lofted drive over mid-on but it did not come out of the middle. It flew towards Tim Bresnan who had to backpedal - as Kevin Pietersen did successfully on the second morning to catch Suraj Randiv - but he could not get the required airtime to pull in the catch. It was not an easy chance, but in conditions like this everything needed to be taken.
Late surge of the day
With two overs to go, Swann was brought back for one before the close. What a crucial decision it proved. He induced a bottom edge onto leg stump from Thilan Samaraweera then, two balls, ripped one through Suraj Randiv (the second nightwatchman of the innings). Each time Swann exploded in celebration; he found the energy from somewhere. It was just the finish England wanted.
With two overs to go, Swann was brought back for one before the close. What a crucial decision it proved. He induced a bottom edge onto leg stump from Thilan Samaraweera then, two balls, ripped one through Suraj Randiv (the second nightwatchman of the innings). Each time Swann exploded in celebration; he found the energy from somewhere. It was just the finish England wanted.
Andrew McGlashan is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo