Trott ton trumped by Herath's ten
Plays of the Day from the fourth day of the first Test between Sri Lanka and England at Galle
Andrew McGlashan in Galle
29-Mar-2012
Matt Prior's dismissal, via a remarkable catch at short leg, gave Rangana Herath his first 10-wicket haul in Tests • AFP
Moan of the day
England supporters have had a few grumbles during this match. On the opening day it was about being exploited by Sri Lanka Cricket, who charged between LKR 5,000 ($39) and LKR 7,500 ($59) for a ticket. In the end, the ground has been well populated throughout but plenty of fans have also taken to the ramparts of the Dutch Fort. On the fourth day they found that for one area of it they were being charged LKR 1,000 ($8) for the privilege. That might just seem good business sense - supply and demand - but one fan suggested that because the fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site it should be free for all.
England supporters have had a few grumbles during this match. On the opening day it was about being exploited by Sri Lanka Cricket, who charged between LKR 5,000 ($39) and LKR 7,500 ($59) for a ticket. In the end, the ground has been well populated throughout but plenty of fans have also taken to the ramparts of the Dutch Fort. On the fourth day they found that for one area of it they were being charged LKR 1,000 ($8) for the privilege. That might just seem good business sense - supply and demand - but one fan suggested that because the fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site it should be free for all.
Drop of the day
Jonathan Trott was settling England after the early loss of Kevin Pietersen when he pushed forward at Rangana Herath and looped a catching opportunity back down the pitch. Herath moved to his left and lunged with one hand but couldn't hold onto the chance. For a long while it appeared it could be a match-changing miss.
Jonathan Trott was settling England after the early loss of Kevin Pietersen when he pushed forward at Rangana Herath and looped a catching opportunity back down the pitch. Herath moved to his left and lunged with one hand but couldn't hold onto the chance. For a long while it appeared it could be a match-changing miss.
Landmark of the day I
When Trott swept Herath through deep square leg to reach his hundred from 240 balls it was England's first three-figure score in Test cricket this year. The previous best was Alastair Cook's 94 in the second Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and it just highlights what a struggle it has been for the batsmen recently. Last year (and the one before) England could not stop scoring hundreds - and double hundreds - for fun.
When Trott swept Herath through deep square leg to reach his hundred from 240 balls it was England's first three-figure score in Test cricket this year. The previous best was Alastair Cook's 94 in the second Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and it just highlights what a struggle it has been for the batsmen recently. Last year (and the one before) England could not stop scoring hundreds - and double hundreds - for fun.
Landmark of the day II
With the wicket of Matt Prior - caught in fortunate fashion by Lahiru Thirimanne at short leg, but huge credit to the fielder for anticipation and not turning away - Herath collected his first 10-wicket haul in Test cricket. It was the 27th by a Sri Lanka bowler, but only the fifth by anyone other than Muttiah Muralitharan. It was also the first 10-wicket haul in by a left-arm spinner since 2007 when Monty Panesar starred against West Indies at Old Trafford.
With the wicket of Matt Prior - caught in fortunate fashion by Lahiru Thirimanne at short leg, but huge credit to the fielder for anticipation and not turning away - Herath collected his first 10-wicket haul in Test cricket. It was the 27th by a Sri Lanka bowler, but only the fifth by anyone other than Muttiah Muralitharan. It was also the first 10-wicket haul in by a left-arm spinner since 2007 when Monty Panesar starred against West Indies at Old Trafford.
Fumble of the day
Thirimanne's grab was not the only slightly lucky grab of the innings. Tillakaratne Dilshan, who showed what a fine fielder he is around the bat, almost gave Samit Patel a life. Patel drove inside-out against Herath and Dilshan palmed his first attempt to take the catch into his chest. However, he had the presence of mind to keep his eye on the ball and stuck out a hand to intercept before it hit the turf. As his team-mates rushed to celebrate him, Dilshan lay face down on the ground, soaking up his relief and joy.
Thirimanne's grab was not the only slightly lucky grab of the innings. Tillakaratne Dilshan, who showed what a fine fielder he is around the bat, almost gave Samit Patel a life. Patel drove inside-out against Herath and Dilshan palmed his first attempt to take the catch into his chest. However, he had the presence of mind to keep his eye on the ball and stuck out a hand to intercept before it hit the turf. As his team-mates rushed to celebrate him, Dilshan lay face down on the ground, soaking up his relief and joy.
Edited by Alan Gardner
Andrew McGlashan is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo