Top 5 performances by England against Sri Lanka

In celebration of the forthcoming series between England v Sri Lanka, Ive taken a trip down memory lane and looked at the five best performances by an England team against Sri Lanka.

#1 Kandy, 2001

England headed into the second test at Kandy in 2001 needing a win to secure a drawn series. Traditionally a side that has struggled on the sub-continent and with a team that had spectacularly underperformed during the previous years, England were given little to no chance of victory.

What followed was a famous test win for England. First, the old stagers Gough and Caddick stepped up to the plate to take four wickets apiece and dismiss Sri Lanka for just 297.

Captain Nasser Hussain then anchored the England response with a typically gritty century – making 109 in over 250 balls. He was well supported by half centuries from his dependable team mates Alec Stewart and Graham Thorpe.

Second time around, Gough again starred with the ball with his second four wicket haul of the match. Much maligned off spinner Robert Croft also chipped in with three wickets of his own, including the prize wicket of Sri Lankan lynchpin Kumar Sangakkara.

Needing just 161 to level the series, England proceeded to stumble to 97-5 and the old horrors of past sub-continental defeats sprang to mind. Happily for the travelling fans, Craig White saw his side home with a vital 21 not out to secure a historic victory for the tourists.

#2 North Sound, 2007

It may seem odd to include a defeat in a list of great England performances, but the match at North Sound during the 2007 World Cup was a real nail biter and worthy of mention. England dismissed Sri Lanka for 235 with forgotten man Saj Mahmood picking up four wickets and even Michael Vaughan turning his arm over.

England’s pursuit seemed to be coasting at 126-3 and Kevin Pietersen still at the crease, but Pietersen’s dismissal saw England slide to 133-6. It was left to Paul Nixon and Ravi Bopara to keep England in the hunt, as they put on 87 for the 7th wicket in an entertaining and innovative partnership. Nixon in particular was at his reverse sweeping best as he laid into Muralitharan with disdain, but unfortunately for England, he fell with 16 still needed for victory and England came up two runs short and missed out on a semi-final berth.

#3 Edgbaston, 2006

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After a draw at Lord’s in the first Test of the 2006 summer and whole raft of missed opportunities and dropped catches, England’s Ashes heroes had to bounce back in style in the next match at Edgbaston to satisfy a demanding public. .

A superb all round performance from the team set up a routine and satisfying victory for a team including many new names. England’s seam attack was too good for Sri Lanka on the first day and shot them out for just 144. Wickets were shared around as 21-year-old Liam Plunkett impressed with three wickets.

Pietersen then produced a masterclass as he smashed and reverse hit his way to 142 out of England’s 295 all out. England’s bowling attack again produced a brutal team performance to dismiss Sri Lanka under 250 once more. The victory was wrapped up inside four days as England completed a six wicket victory to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

#4 Cardiff, 2011

The first Test of Sri Lanka’s 2011 tour to England looked like being a bore draw as the fifth day got underway at Cardiff with England on 491-5 in their first innings, leading by 91 runs. The morning meandered along meaninglessly as England continued batting to allow Ian Bell to make his century. England then summoned immense energy and will to win in front of just 300 or so hardy supporters in the Welsh drizzle.

It was England’s’ towering battering ram, Chris Tremlett, who made the early breakthroughs to leave Sri Lanka rocking on 36-4 with all of their experienced batsmen already dismissed. Tremlett bowled with pace and aggression and was ably supported by Graeme Swann as England routed the tourists for just 83 in their second innings to secure a remarkable victory by an innings and 14 runs.

The win took on more significance as the two following Tests were drawn, meaning that England won the series thanks to one crazy afternoon in Cardiff.

#5 Colombo, 2012

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England had suffered a chastening winter, after sweeping aside India 4-0 in the comfort of home conditions they had wilted against the spin of Pakistan in the UAE and then had succumbed to the brilliance of Mahela Jayawardene in Galle to lose the first Test. England needed a performance of substance and grit to take home with them after a demoralising winter.

Once again, Jayawardene stood in their way with a classy and beautiful century in Sri Lanka’s total of 275 all out. What came next was a Kevin Pietersen batting masterclass and the first of three unbelievable centuries he was to score during the year. Pietersen laid into the bowling attack with disdain and dispatched the ball to all parts during a destructive knock of 151 in just 165 balls. His celebration upon reaching his century showed his relief at finally conquering the sub-continent and setting England on their way to a famous victory.

The match was wrapped up thanks to six wickets in the second innings from Swann; who once again proved he was the premier finger spinner of his generation.