Day 16: Spin it to win it

Is it possible for a spinner to find the rhythm they need in just a day of match practice? The answer is usually no. However good the conditions. It would never be easy for Jack Leach and Dom Bess. Leach hasn't played much cricket in the last 12 months, and Bess has been under scrutiny during the same time despite five wickets in the first innings. Bess has the credit of an impressive tour of South Africa in the bank, and Leach deserves his chance.

It was also inevitable that Sri Lanka would bat better second time around. England are still on top of course, and with two days to go, it won't be easy. More formidable challenges await in India, but there is no expectation that the rest of the Test series with Sri Lanka won't be tricky. How England respond will be interesting. Of course, this isn't a full-strength England side. Ben Stokes, Rory Burns and Jofra Archer aren't in Galle. James Anderson is having his workload managed. It is a long year of Test cricket for England as ever the build-up is to the Ashes next winter.

With the first two days' efforts, expectations are high with Sri Lanka well beaten in South Africa recently that could have given the position they would roll over. The first innings did little to dispel that.

What England need over the next seven days cricket is to find a way of winning. There is enough promise there, and one disappointing day doesn't make a Test year.

Ireland play

Ireland finally managed to play some cricket today. It wasn't the planned ODI against UAE, but instead, Afghanistan stepped into the breach as the two sides ramp up preparation for the series between the two sides. Ireland lost by 23 runs, but the majority of the squad took part.

South Africa let Luus

South Africa announced its women's squad to face Pakistan. Without the services of Dane van Niekerk, Sune Luus will lead the Proteas.

Pakistan's new coach David Hemp will be hoping to see his side beat a well organised South Africa team.

Make or break day

Australia will be kicking themselves that they failed to reach 400 in the fourth Test at The Gabba. Tim Paine needed to bat well, talk that his place was under pressure not just as captain, but also behind the stumps.

Australia will have to bowl well in the first session. If there was ever a day was made for Cheteswar Pujara to bat all day, then this is.

Day two: looking forward to the action

2 January 2021

As England depart for Sri Lanka, it would be quite possible for the Twitter accounts of some counties to post images of their respective headquarters clad in snow. While in previous years the welcome relief of those in the touring party to escape the cold climate for warmer pastures would be welcome.

These as different times, with bubbles and quarantine, what welcomes England’s is far from the usual trip to distant shores. England taking a full-time therapist with them for the first time on tour is not just sensible but essential.

Already confirmed is that Jos Buttler will start with the gloves in the tests against Sri Lanka, which when you consider Buttler is an essential player across all formats seems an opportunity wasted to give someone the likes of Ben Foakes a spell behind the stumps. What is sure though, as last year there will be a few players in contention for places.

It would be interesting to see the likes of Ollie Robinson to prove they can perform on the big stage. Robinson is a player who I have admired for a while. You can be sure that his name will pop up over the next year.

New Zealand v Pakistan

Of course, there is test cricket going on all over the place, and nowhere looks cooler to watch it from Hagley Oval where New Zealand take on Pakistan in the second test of their series.

Much has been made of how New Zealand has handled the pandemic. There is also much to admire in the way they play their cricket.

WNCL

There are some concerns about the start of the new WNCL season, scheduled to begin in the next couple of weeks. With some state borders likely to be closed. With schedulers nervously pencilling fixtures in it would be unfortunate if plans for this competition were needed.

The standard is incredibly high, and with a 50 over World Cup a year away, it may be the final chance for some players to convince the selectors they deserve to cross the Tasman Sea and pull on the green and gold.

Early Morning Radio

It was good to hear Kathryn Bryce interviewed for the BBC Stumped radio programme. Even if it was nearly three in the morning when it was broadcast in the UK. The Scotland and Lightning captain recently picked up the ICC award for Women’s Associate Player of the Decade. An award she rightly deserved.