For the first time in seven years in Test cricket, the bowling team had to concede a draw without taking the last wicket. If England suffered such a humiliation in 2014, this time it was India who suffered such a setback. In the 2014 Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s in England, England had to concede victory and concede a draw. England gave Sri Lanka a huge target of 390 runs. But Sri Lanka managed to level the score at 201 for nine.
England-Lanka Test 2014
If England had landed under Alastair Cook, Sri Lanka would have been led by all-rounder Angelo Mathews. Batting first, England put on 575 for nine in the first innings. Joe Root (200)’s unbeaten double century put England ahead. His innings included 16 fours off 298 balls. Fifties from Matt Pryor (86) and Ian Bell (56) also strengthened the England innings. For Sri Lanka, Nuwan Pradeep took four wickets and Shaminda Iranga three.
In reply Sri Lanka scored 453 runs. Kumar Sangakkara (147) and skipper Mathews (102) scored centuries. Kaushal Silva (63) and Mahela Jayawardene (55) also shone. England declared at 267 for eight in the second innings. Gary Ballance (104 *) scored the century. His 188-ball innings included 12 fours and a six. No one else got 40 plus. At the tail end, Chris Jordan scored 35 runs. Captain Cook scored 28 and Stuart Broad 24 runs.
Batting first, Sri Lanka scored 201 for nine to reach the target of 390. England were bowled out for seven, but were bowled out for 90 in the final over. Rangana Herath was dismissed for ninth in the 90th over. England failed to take the last wicket of the remaining five balls. Sangakkara (61) and Kaushal Silva (57) hit fifty for Sri Lanka. Pace legend James Anderson, who took four wickets, was at the helm of English bowling. Broad took three wickets and Jordan two. Root was named Player of the Match.
The Kiwis fought and won
New Zealand came back from the brink of defeat in the Test against India to draw level. Batting first, the Kiwis scored 165 for nine to reach the target of 284 runs. The Kiwis were saved in the fifty by opener Tom Latham (52). He also scored 95 in the first innings. William Somerville (36), skipper Kane Williamson (24) and Rachin Ravindra (18 *) were the other two batsmen to cross the line.
