At last - long last - England has secured a Test match win this winter. And, somehow, despite all the agony and disappointment, it seems worth waiting for. Not least, I guess, because by doing so, England has retained its Number One Test Team ranking, if only by analysis to the second decimal point or some such, over South Africa. Although, to be absolutely fair, it was only poor weather in Dunedin and Wellington that prevented South Africa from sneaking the title a few weeks ago. The two teams meet in England, albeit for only three Tests, later this summer. That should be a great contest.
After the utter misery of England's Test series against Pakistan in the UAE, they had a second chance to prove their away from home form with a two match series against Sri Lanka. The first match started well as Sri Lanka, having chosen to bat, were 15-3 very quickly. 67-4 still felt good, and 128-5 didn't suggest disaster. Sri Lanka wickets fell quite steadily but Mahela Jayawardene stayed determinedly at the crease, just as steadily amassing runs, until, when he was last out, the Sri Lanka total was 318, of which he had scored 180 (56%) himself.
Somewhat predictably, in reply England gave yet another abysmal demonstration of batting and were all out for 193 off just 46.4 overs, with Herath grabbing a great six-fer. Second time around, Sri Lanka "only" made 214 and Swannie took a six-fer himself.
England had a target of 339 and acres of time. OK, doing so would have required breaking almost every record going for successful fourth innings chases but somehow we felt that (a) we deserved it and (b) it was possible. And for a while it seemed so. Cook and Strauss went sooner than desirable (48-2) but Trott looked like replicating Jayawardene's performance and, well supported by Pietersen, Bell and Prior, kept us believing. As long as Trott was in, there was hope we felt. But with Prior out at 233-5, followed by Patel at 252-6, that flickering flame began to look rather vulnerable. Trott himself fell, having scored 112, at 256-7 and we knew that out luck had run out. Monty was last out and England were 76 runs short. It felt worse for there having been some hope.
Off to Colombo then, just a few days later, for the second match. Ravi was still carrying the drinks and being sub-fielder; Monty was left out in favour of Bresnan, who had a very impressive record for England: played 10, won 10. Perhaps he was the lucky charm we needed. Sri Lanka won the toss again and put themselves in. A similar start to the first match in Galle: two down for 21, 30-3, Sangakkara out again for a duck, and, oh yes, there was Mahela Jayawardene filling his boots again. Only 105 this time, out of a total of 275, and a "Michelle" (Pfeiffer) for Anderson, but a 2-0 loss still loomed.
Then, something close to a miracle happened: Cook and Strauss posted a century opening partnership. Strauss improved his average hugely with 61, Cook looked well set for a huge century before falling at 94, with the score at 213-2. Trott was again batting steadily, until out for 64 at 253-3. Pietersen was playing fluently, scoring at a rate of over 90 but never looking in danger. What had he had for breakfast? He and Bell put on nearly 100 for the fourth wicket (at 347) and a super-huge score looked possible. Ended up as 460, with a lead of 185. Could this be a winning position? It felt best not to think too far ahead. Concentrate on getting ten wickets. (BTW Another six-fer for Herath.)
Time passed very very slowly. Sri Lanka scored at just over two an over. The first four wickets were down for 125 and then Mahela Jayawardene and Samaraweera stuck in with a 90 run partnership that meant England would have to bat again. The England bowlers were visibly wilting in temperatures above 40 Celsius, as their frustration and desperation were palpable. Then, in the penultimate over of the day, Swann took two wickets to leave the home side on 218-6 at the close. Relief … but Jayawardene would still be at the crease in the morning.
Day 5 dawned. An achievement in itself to have got so far through a match. The sky was overcast but rain was not going to fall on England's parade. Cook dropped a catch in the first over … was this going to set the tone? The Barmy Army were in full voice, fully playing their part as England's extra man. Jayawardene reviewed an lbw decision and (what felt like) hours later was reprieved thanks to an inside edge that was invisible to everyone but him and the third umpire (and every Sri Lankan on earth). Cook dropped another catch at short leg. We began to lose faith. But, after 45 minutes of agony, Cook held one and Jayawardene was gone (with a series average of 88.5 and 354 runs). Immediate jubilation for England and another "Michelle" for Swann. The other Jayawardene was out shortly after and Swann had only his second ten wicket match. Another half hour until the ninth wicket and just moments before the lunch interval, the tenth. England need 94 to win with two sessions available. Memories of all out for 72 chasing 145 in the UAE flood back. Surely we can't have to suffer that again?
OK, the plan, of course, would be for Strauss and Cook to knock the runs off in style … but I prepared myself for less than a fairy-tale. Good job: Strauss out for a duck; England 0-1. Cook and Trott take deep breaths and get determinedly to the task. Trott falls at 31-2 and KP strides out. Positivity continues, Cook closes in on a half-century, Nuts hits a boundary, then another, only five needed. The script says KP should finish it with a six … and KP finishes it with a six! (Leaving Cook stranded on 49 but one doubts he cares.) England has won, squared the series 1-1 and retained the Number One Test ranking. Wonder what happens to the huge trophy intended for the series winners?
There's no escaping that this was an awful winter for England's batsmen and a poor performance by the Number One Test team. Something's got to be done about their inability to play spin away from home. KP's solution is to head off to India to play in the IPL with his sights on each of, one imagines, the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka starting in late-September and the tour of India at the end of the year. Not a bad plan, although perhaps not ideal preparation for facing the West Indies at Lord's in mid-May. However, it definitely keeps him away from Surrey, which is absolutely fine by me. Loved the way he played in this match, pleased for his century and the winnings runs … but he's just not my cup of tea and so not a Surrey man so I'd much rather he was performing well - and, I suggest, being happier - elsewhere.
Tim Bresnan now has a Test record of played 11, won 11. And Ravi is still being left out: surely he must be the most experienced 12th man ever? He's certainly far too good at it …
Right, now to concentrate on the England domestic season. Sooo many (simple) plans for Surrey!
Fifteen wickets fell on the first day: Surrey all out for 264 and Sussex 105-5 at the close. Felt as if we were just ahead. The sun came out, but without any real warmth, on Friday. Sussex were all out for 196 and Surrey reached 250-8. 300 ahead felt promising. The last two wickets took us to 273 on Saturday morning, Sussex wickets kept falling and the thought of a win inside three days popped up. Not to be: Sussex 240-8 at the close and we'd have to come back for the conclusion on Easter Sunday morning. Could it all be over in just two balls? Well, no, it took about 45 minutes but Surrey had secured their first County Championship win of the season. Loads more to come, we trust. And there we were at the top of the table … until Somerset beat Middlesex later in the day and sneaked ahead with an extra batting point.