Post by hhsussex on Feb 20, 2017 7:06:38 GMT
As I write it looks as if the Lions will win the first A "Test" comfortably, SAri Lanka on 132-9 will not reach the 364 needed for a win, or probably hold out for a draw. But who has really impressed in this resounding victory? In the first innings the big wickets of Hameed and Jennings, as well as that of Gubbins went cheaply before a big stand by Westley and Livingstone, then an entertaining 81 by Roland-Jones built a secure total. Then in the second innings, with the Sri Lankan left arm spinner Pushpakumara dominating it was more of the same: the big wickets mostly going very quickly and a cluster of 20s and 30s building to a reasonable total. The bowling has been Roland-Jones and Rayner with a little bit of Tom Curran.
Of all these Rayner has probably done himself the most good, especially as sly hints from the doyen of drivel have suggested that Jack Leach has been withdrawn from this match because of a lack of confidence and control over his remodelled action. 3-27 and 2-11, and a 77 ball 32 in the second innings are not world-beating figures but they suggest someone who has the ability to take centre stage and if he continues to perform like this I think he must replace Rashid in next summer's Tests and give Moeen the opportunity to recast himself yet again in his true role, as a dashing if fallible middle-order batsman and a change bowler capable of finding the unplayable ball that breaks a stand or hastens a collapse. As for Roland-Jones, he may yet play himself into an unlikely Test career at the age of 29, now that Wood is crocked yet again - surely the last we will hear of him - and Finn is once again in the wilderness.
Meanwhile Hameed has twice gone cheaply and Jennings once, Gubbins has made a Gubbins of his chance and Foakes too. Of all the batsmen Westley, who has the opportunity this summer to show that he can score silkily off first division attacks has done most, and there could be a vacancy for him in the full Test team if Cook remains as an opener in place of either Jennings or Hameed.
Of all these Rayner has probably done himself the most good, especially as sly hints from the doyen of drivel have suggested that Jack Leach has been withdrawn from this match because of a lack of confidence and control over his remodelled action. 3-27 and 2-11, and a 77 ball 32 in the second innings are not world-beating figures but they suggest someone who has the ability to take centre stage and if he continues to perform like this I think he must replace Rashid in next summer's Tests and give Moeen the opportunity to recast himself yet again in his true role, as a dashing if fallible middle-order batsman and a change bowler capable of finding the unplayable ball that breaks a stand or hastens a collapse. As for Roland-Jones, he may yet play himself into an unlikely Test career at the age of 29, now that Wood is crocked yet again - surely the last we will hear of him - and Finn is once again in the wilderness.
Meanwhile Hameed has twice gone cheaply and Jennings once, Gubbins has made a Gubbins of his chance and Foakes too. Of all the batsmen Westley, who has the opportunity this summer to show that he can score silkily off first division attacks has done most, and there could be a vacancy for him in the full Test team if Cook remains as an opener in place of either Jennings or Hameed.
