Sun 24 Jan 2021 05.30 EST
My heart went out to Jonathan Agnew, having to commentate on Englandâs first Test by watching the television in his attic instead of being in Sri Lankaâs Galle stadium, because of a Covid travel ban. âYou donât feel in the game,â Aggers told a BBC news reporter, after opening
Test Match Special from his home. I know how he feels, but there are compensations to on-screen experiences.
This week, from my attic, Iâve been watching short films commissioned by the London international mime festivalâs ever resourceful directors, Helen Lannaghan and Joseph Seelig, reacting to current restrictions by moving events online. For the first time since its 1977 debut, people worldwide can experience the crazy diversity of work for which the festival is justly famous.
Amit Roy | | Published 23.01.21, 01:59 AM
Wisden 2021 will be a collector’s item. For a cool assessment of the just concluded India-Australia series, I turned to Lawrence Booth, editor of
Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack. “The 2021 edition comes out in early April,” he tells me. “I am still editing it.” He will be grateful that the “thrilling” India-Australia series has provided him with so much drama in a year notoriously short of first-class cricket. The cricketers’ bible, rich in statistics and match reports, is now brought out by Bloomsbury
Wisden 2020 cost £55. Still, I suspect the 2021 edition will become a collector’s item for Indians to be bequeathed as a family heirloom to be savoured by generations. I still have an evocative photograph that I took of the late Dicky Rutnagur, doyen of cricket writers, with shelves packed with past
England in Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews hits century on first day of second Test
By Matthew HenryBBC Sport
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Second Test, Galle (day one)
Sri Lanka 229-4: Mathews 107, Chandimal 52; Anderson 3-24
England: Yet to bat
Angelo Mathews ground out a century for Sri Lanka as England s bowlers battled hard on the first day of the second Test in Galle.
The hosts were 7-2 when James Anderson claimed two early wickets, and 76-3 when the seamer struck after lunch.
But, on a flat pitch in gruelling heat, Mathews hit a measured 107 not out as Sri Lanka closed on 229-4.
Mathews put on 117 with captain Dinesh Chandimal, who made 52 before being trapped lbw by Mark Wood.
James Anderson reveals nerves on Test return
James Anderson was England’s star performer in Galle (Mike Hewitt/PA)
Despite being the only seamer in history with 600 Test wickets to his name, James Anderson confessed to a minor bout of nerves before again delivering his brilliant best for England in Galle.
Anderson reached that remarkable landmark against Pakistan on August 25, but has not played competitively since and sat out the first Test against Sri Lanka as Stuart Broad led the attack.
The combination of a five-month intermission and replacing Broad in the only change to a winning team left Anderson with a few butterflies that belied his status as the most prolific seam bowler in the history of the game.
Sri Lanka v England: Joe Root previews second Test in Galle
Last updated on
Joe Root made 228 in the first innings of England s first-Test victory
Sri Lanka v England, second Test
Venue: Galle
Time: 04:30 GMT
Coverage: Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and BBC Sport website. Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app.
England captain Joe Root expects a stronger challenge from Sri Lanka when the second and final Test in Galle begins on Friday.
The tourists won the first Test by seven wickets, thanks mainly to dismissing the home side for 135 on the opening day.