Tricky trio turn it on as Root’s men seal series
ENGLAND had a trio of spin wizards to thank for their first series win in Sri Lanka in 17 years – and a place called ‘Ciderabad’.
That’s the affectionate subcontinent inspired nickname given to Somerset’s spin-friendly surface in Taunton where Jack Leach learnt his trade before delivering for England.
Leach and fellow Test spinner Dominic Bess have benefited from bowling on a pitch that has consistently favoured spin, unlike at most English grounds where seam bowler after seam bowler dominates.
So when presented with a pitch like the one for the second Test here in Kandy, far from being daunting and unusual, it felt just like home for Leach.
The left-hander, who picked up a career best 5-83 and combined with Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid to spin England to victory, said: “I’m absolutely buzzing.
“It feels amazing to have contributed to a series win.
“Mo took some of the pressure off me by taking a couple of wickets and I am just glad to get it done. When we looked at that wicket we were not sure it would go five days.
“It has been a great advert for Test cricket.”
With Moeen (above) and Rashid playing their part too, skipper Joe Root had plenty of options and was full of praise for his match-winners.
Root said: “Jack has taken all the from DEAN WILSON in Kandy
experience that he’s had at Somerset bowling on those wickets at Ciderabad, or whatever they call it down there. He’s done a fantastic job.
“The spinners have complemented each other and given me great options. “Jack provides control and Mo and Rash can be very attacking. They’ve been brilliant.” Root put his faith in his spinners on the final morning and the tourists needed just half-an-hour on day five to dismiss Sri Lanka for 243 – taking the last three wickets for 17 runs. Moeen delivered two quick wickets, first taking the key scalp of Niroshan Dickwella for 35 before clean bowling Suranga Lakmal for a duck.
Leach ended things with a caught and bowled to see off last man Malinda Pushpakumara and seal a 57-run win, putting England 2-0 up with one match to play. Man-of-the-match Root added: “It’s very special. We said we were going to play in a certain manner and we’ve stuck to our guns.
“We’ve been ruthless when we’ve had our opportunities to get ahead in the game and we’ve soaked up pressure well on occasions.
“It fits very well with the make-up of individuals in this part of the world. We have to play to our advantage.”
Leach, Sam Curran and Ben Foakes all delivered huge performances with just 12 caps between them as the 182 caps of Jonny Bairstow and Stuart Broad sat on the sidelines.
Pressure
But far from moving completely away from the experienced players on tour, Root is keen to emphasise the importance of the squad.
The final Test, starting on Friday, could see the return of Bairstow to the side in place of the injured Curran, who is struggling with a side problem.
Root added: “It’s not only about the 11 guys, it’s about the full squad.
“The work they’ve done, the pressure they’re putting on the guys in the starting XI to keep improving. They’re driving the standards up all the time. Having that strength in depth has been a massive contributor to these wins.”