ENG v SL, 3rd Test Day 4 Review: Alex Hales misses out on ton amid the rain

View : 125

2 Min Read

Alex Hales
info
England’s Alex Hales acknowledges the crowd after reaching 50 runs not out during play on the fourth day of the third test cricket match between England and Sri Lanka at Lord’s cricket ground in London, on June 12, 2016. / AFP / IAN KINGTON / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)

In contrast to the sunshine of Day 3 of the third ENG v SL Test match, Day 4, unfortunately, began on a rainy note. Day 3 had seen Alastair Cook hobble off Lords to receive treatment on an injured knee while Alex Hales had weathered the storm to remain unbeaten on 41.

However, when the rain subsided, Steven Finn was quickly dismissed by Shaminda Eranga. This finally saw Alastair Cook make an entry into the scheme of things, batting at an unusual batting position. The England skipper, who had presumably cleared a fitness test seemed ready to do battle. He initially began by targeting left-arm spinner Rangana Herath. In spite of getting the turn he desired, Cook’s luck seemed to grow with each moving delivery of the day.

While Cook seemed to find his way past the Lankan labyrinth, Alex Hales had reached his half-century and was on his way to his maiden Test century. With Rangana Herath being operational for the most part of the innings, Alex Hales faced his fear of playing spin as he played the wily spin of Herath with utmost ease.

However, he was on 94, only six runs short, when he fell only 10 minutes before tea on the fourth day at Lord’s, trying to turn Angelo Mathews quietly on the leg side and falling lbw. Hales opted for a review, only for the umpire’s decision to stand with the decision and for Hales to continue his walk back to the dressing shed.

Rain interruptions became a calling card of the day as the heavens opened up in series of five to ten minutes over a period of an hour. It was at this point where Alastair Cook and Moeen Ali began to turn on the screws. This included a massive heave over the midwicket fence. The fall of Moeen Ali, yet another Shaminda Eranga victim. Chris Woakes was present for the final few deliveries as Cook made the decision to call in the decorations with England at 233/7. This meant that the Lankans would be chasing 362 to claim a victory.

A break and a few more showers later, the Lankan openers made their way out to the middle to bat. Dimuth Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva began the Lankan innings in the same manner as they had done in the first innings. The solid start saw Sri Lanka at 32 at the loss of no wicket at stumps.

Brief Scores

England 1st Innings: 416 all out

Sri Lanka 1st Innings: 288 all out

England 2nd innings: 233/7 declared (A Hales 94; Pradeep 3/37)

Sri Lanka 2nd innings: 32/0 (Karunaratne 19*)

Get every cricket updates! Follow Us:

googletelegraminstagramwhatsappyoutubethreadstwitter

Download Our App

For a better experience: Download the CricTracker app from the IOS and Google Play Store