At The Test
YOU DO THE MATHS
PITY the poor soul who came up with the statistic that Mahela Jayawardene scored Test cricket’s two-millionth run when he cracked Jimmy Anderson past point for four in the 11th over. Note to readers: any disagreement should come with proof of calculations.
KUMAR’S TWO DUCKS
BEFORE this series, Kumar Sangakkara (right) had been out to a golden duck twice in 179 Test innings. But his first-baller here was his second in a fortnight, both inflicted by Anderson’s brilliance and both caught in the cordon — although it took Andrew Strauss two attempts to cling on.
DIPLOMATIC BROAD
STUART BROAD, watching from back home as he rested his injured calf, had to bite his tongue after Ian Botham tweeted: ‘I reckon it’s the bowlers who have kept England in with a chance all winter..!!!’ Broad replied: ‘I really want to retweet that Beefy, but going to sit on the fence for team reasons.’
THERE’S HOPE YET
GRAEME SWANN (right) should note that the inaugural Test here 30 years ago was won by a third-innings spell of off-spin from John Emburey (six for 33), with Derek Underwood — in the crowd here — claiming three for 67 in his final Test. England may be hoping history can repeat itself.
TOP BOY MAHELA
JAYAWARDENE’S sixth Test hundred on home soil against England took his average against them in Sri Lanka to 90 — higher than anyone who has played at least 10 home innings against England. Next comes Pakistan’s Inzamam-ul-haq (81) ahead of Don Bradman (78). 8).
DRS FRUSTRATIONS
THE dismissal of Jayawardene was a very modern kind of lbw. Delivered from round the wicket, it spun back massively and hit Jayawardene on the front pad as he lunged forward. Umpire Asad Rauf upheld Swann’s shout, and DRS did the rest — but Jayawardene left shaking his head.
TIM’S UNBEATABLE
TIM BRESNAN (right) looked relieved to claim the wicket of Thilan Samaraweera and well he might: he has a proud record to uphold. Each of his previous 10 Test appearances have ended in an England win. Only Adam Gilchrist, with wins in each of his first 15 Tests for Australia, has made a better start.