Painful deja vu for Dilshan
ESPNcricinfo presents the Plays of the day from the third day of the second Test in Lord's
Andrew Miller at Lord's
05-Jun-2011
The England team gets into the spirit of things by joining in a mexican wave • Getty Images
Squelch of the day
Nothing and no-one seemed capable of stopping Tillakaratne Dilshan today. Nothing, that is, except for a freakish moment of déjà vu, six balls before his dismissal. Dilshan's participation in today's play had been in some doubt overnight, after he had been sent for a scan following a brutal crack on the thumb from Chris Tremlett. Though he was fit to resume, it was clearly a source of discomfort. Doubly so when Tremlett unleashed another sharp lifter on 192, and his thumb was once again ripped from the bat handle. Another lengthy bout of treatment ensued, and though he soldiered on with a glorious double-century there for the taking, his desire to get forward was understandably compromised. One run later, Steven Finn caught him on the crease and the ball burrowed into the top of his stumps.
Nothing and no-one seemed capable of stopping Tillakaratne Dilshan today. Nothing, that is, except for a freakish moment of déjà vu, six balls before his dismissal. Dilshan's participation in today's play had been in some doubt overnight, after he had been sent for a scan following a brutal crack on the thumb from Chris Tremlett. Though he was fit to resume, it was clearly a source of discomfort. Doubly so when Tremlett unleashed another sharp lifter on 192, and his thumb was once again ripped from the bat handle. Another lengthy bout of treatment ensued, and though he soldiered on with a glorious double-century there for the taking, his desire to get forward was understandably compromised. One run later, Steven Finn caught him on the crease and the ball burrowed into the top of his stumps.
Stat of the day
Though Dilshan missed out on a richly deserved 200, he nevertheless had the consolation of becoming the highest-scoring Sri Lankan in six Tests at Lord's. Sidath Wettimuny, who made 190 in their first appearance at the ground in 1984, had been the previous record-holder, while their current batting coach, Marvan Atapattu, made 185 in 2002. On both occasions, Sri Lanka had the better of the contest but were made to settle for draws. Thanks to the bad weather that settled in during the afternoon, that might once again be their fate in this contest. But as we've already seen this series, a lot can happen in a session.
Though Dilshan missed out on a richly deserved 200, he nevertheless had the consolation of becoming the highest-scoring Sri Lankan in six Tests at Lord's. Sidath Wettimuny, who made 190 in their first appearance at the ground in 1984, had been the previous record-holder, while their current batting coach, Marvan Atapattu, made 185 in 2002. On both occasions, Sri Lanka had the better of the contest but were made to settle for draws. Thanks to the bad weather that settled in during the afternoon, that might once again be their fate in this contest. But as we've already seen this series, a lot can happen in a session.
Wave of the day
It's been a summer of balcony moments, what with the Royal Wedding and all that jazz, and during the afternoon rain break, England's cricketers also pleased the crowd with their appearance from on high. Those same punters might have wished the team had given them more to cheer about while they were on the pitch, but on a day like this they'll take any scraps going. When a Mexican Wave went around the ground to while away the tedium, the dressing room defied the usual Pavilion conventions and rose from their seats accordingly. It wasn't much to cheer about, but it raised the volume nonetheless.
It's been a summer of balcony moments, what with the Royal Wedding and all that jazz, and during the afternoon rain break, England's cricketers also pleased the crowd with their appearance from on high. Those same punters might have wished the team had given them more to cheer about while they were on the pitch, but on a day like this they'll take any scraps going. When a Mexican Wave went around the ground to while away the tedium, the dressing room defied the usual Pavilion conventions and rose from their seats accordingly. It wasn't much to cheer about, but it raised the volume nonetheless.
False dawn of the day
England resumed knowing that the new ball would be available in 17 overs' time, and the urgency of their initial performance suggested they were simply counting down to that moment. Chris Tremlett bowled a brief burst but then retreated to rest up, while Graeme Swann's early offerings were milked by a grateful Dilshan, whose thumb enjoyed the respite if nothing else. Sure enough, when the new ball was finally taken on the dot of 80 overs, it took just four deliveries for Tremlett to lure Sangakkara into a fatal waft. But instead of seizing the moment at 288 for 2, England reverted to their waywardness of old. In the next seven overs, Sri Lanka crashed 51 momentum-seizing runs.
England resumed knowing that the new ball would be available in 17 overs' time, and the urgency of their initial performance suggested they were simply counting down to that moment. Chris Tremlett bowled a brief burst but then retreated to rest up, while Graeme Swann's early offerings were milked by a grateful Dilshan, whose thumb enjoyed the respite if nothing else. Sure enough, when the new ball was finally taken on the dot of 80 overs, it took just four deliveries for Tremlett to lure Sangakkara into a fatal waft. But instead of seizing the moment at 288 for 2, England reverted to their waywardness of old. In the next seven overs, Sri Lanka crashed 51 momentum-seizing runs.
Andrew Miller is UK editor of ESPNcricinfo