Any England overseas cricket tour usually involves feeling a fair amount of jealousy towards the players, coaches, media and supporters who make the trip. As we battle the wintery elements back in England, we watch those lucky enough to be on tour in perfect sunshine, playing or commenting on a sport we all love, whilst casting more than an envious eye on the Barmy Army. Not only do they get to enjoy the sunshine, but they are stood with at least one ice-cold drink in hand and cheering the team on.
This tour to Sri Lanka, which finished yesterday with England winning the second test in Galle by 6 wickets, was slightly different, given it took place in the middle of a pandemic, with Britain under lockdown and only the players and coaches allowed to travel. As a result, the sense of yearning and wishing we were there was bigger and more amplified than usual. Thankfully the players responded, and in a way to suggest as though they felt they had a sense of duty to, by winning the two-match series 2-0. England's 6 wicket win followed an equally hard-fought 7 wicket win in the First Test.
It was not only the result itself which impressed but the manner of victory and individual performances as well. The Trevor Bayliss era saw English cricket hit great heights with their ODI team, culminating in that special afternoon at Lords in the World Cup final and Eoin Morgan lifting the Trophy. However England's Test Cricket results did not hit the same heights, as the era also saw a string of disappointing results, batting collapses and a sense of frustrating underachievement. This victory in Sri Lanka saw Joe Root's men, under the leadership of new coach Chris Silverwood, chalk up their fourth test series win in a row, having won against South Africa away and home victories against West Indies and Pakistan. England now travel to India with a chance of reaching the final of the World Test Championship later this year.
Under Bayliss, the team had a reputation of being inconsistent, slow starters and not responding well under pressure. This series however saw the opposite, with back to back wins recorded, a dominant display in the First Test and winning from behind in the Second. Both games also saw the team chase down potentially tricky scores in the 4th innings, on pitches not conducive to batting. Both games also saw England lose their opening batsmen early on in their innings putting pressure on those still to come. Slowly but surely, this England team is becoming a team that is tough to face, and a team that is able to grind out victories with results over style now prioritised.
England travelled to Sri Lanka without three of their usual first choice 11 - with Jofra Archer, Rory Burns and talisman Ben Stokes all staying at home for different reasons - to play in conditions known for its humidity and un-English turning wickets. Whilst this is not a vintage Sri Lankan team, this was never going to be an easy assignment. The team responded, led by the superb Joe Root, whose batting was quite simply an exhibition in batting against spin. 228 in the First Test was followed up by 186 in the Second, all at a good pace. Root played the turning ball like a master, going past Boycott, Gower and Pietersen to go 4th in the all-time England highest test run-scorers. Root was supported by cameos from Jonny Bairstow, restored to the team, Dan Lawrence on debut and Jos Butler who carried on his impressive batting stats in 2020 with more important knocks here. Dom Sibley in the 4th innings run chase in the Second Test showed his character, making a well-earned 56 Not Out, following a run of poor scores. The knock demonstrated his determination and hard-work as he found a method that suited his technique in conditions alien to him.
It was not just their batsman that impressed, as their bowlers were also key to their victory. Bowlers who thrive in English conditions, with the Dukes ball, with swing and seam in abundance found the opposite conditions in Galle, however still managed to bowl out their opponents for scores of 135 and 126. Stuart Broad in the opening test led the attack with control and no little skill, supported by spinners Jack Leach and Dom Bess who both picked up 5 wicket hauls. In the second game, James Anderson returned to the team and was at his masterful best, returning figures of 6-40 in the first innings, demonstrating all the nous and skill he possesses. In the first innings, England had the rare feat of taking all 10 wickets in Sri Lanka through their seam attack. In the second, all 10 wickets fell to their two spinners who responded to the pressure in the best way possible.
England face a challenging year, as they travel to India next, who are fresh off their famous series win in Australia, before returning home for a 2 match series against New Zealand, facing India again over 5 Tests, before the big one - the Ashes away in Australia. They have started the year in good form, and will travel to India with confidence, and with the return of the 3 missing from this tour. Whilst India and the others will prove far sterner tests than what they faced here, England are showing signs that they are a team that can be a genuine test match force. Winning here, and in the manner they did so, whilst not hitting their very best form demonstrates they are building into a good team. Slowly but surely, England are demonstrating they might have a Test team that can compete with anyone.
Whilst too early to make too definitive predictions, the signs are clearly positive. Here's looking forward to that series in India!