SSC offers nothing for bowlers, Trent Bridge offers a lot

The second Test match between India and Sri Lanka ended in a draw at the SSC in Colombo. However, that is hardly an issue. What was the problem was that in the five days of cricket, only 17 wickets fell, and almost 1400 runs were scored, which speaks about the nature of the track.

Indian captain MS Dhoni lost the toss again – for the seventh time in a row – and had to chase the leather for most part of a couple of days. Sri Lanka amassed a 642/4 before they declared the innings thanks to Kumar Sangakkara’s double century and tons from Tharanga Paranavitana and Mahela Jaayawardene.

In reply, Virender Sehwag was stumped for 99, but a double-century by Sachin Tendulkar and a maiden ton by Suresh Raina ensured that the Indians got to more than 700. By the time the Indian innings had ended, it was the fifth day of the game and the match petered out to a tame draw. Sri Lanka still leads the series 1-0. The two sides play in the third Test from Tuesday at PSS.

In the other game of the week, Pakistan were sent packing to their second-worst defeat ever at Trent Bridge. Chasing almost 435 for a win, Pakistan was bowled out by a James Anderson-special, for a woeful 80 in the second innings. Earlier, England had begun well to reach 331/4 before collapsing to 354 all out. Pakistan could not face up to Anderson in the first innings either and had conceded a 172-run lead.

Mohammad Yousuf has now been recalled into the squad.

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Tags: England, India, James Anderson, Mahela Jaayawardene, Mohammad Yousuf, MS Dhoni, Pakistan, Sachin Tendulkar, Sangakkara, Sri Lanka, Suresh Raina, Test match, Tharanga Paranavitana, Virender Sehwag