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BUMBLE ON THE TEST: Josh Hull looks to be a real find - but the Dan Lawrence experiment has failed Sri Lanka took control of the third Test on day three at the Kia Oval The visitors need just 125 more runs with nine wickets still remaining By David Lloyd for the Daily Mail Published: 17:39 EDT, 8 September 2024 | Updated: 17:57 EDT, 8 September 2024 e-mail View comments Sri Lanka seized control on day three of the third Test, cruising to 94-1 before bad light stopped play on Sunday. The visitors now need just 125 more runs with nine wickets remaining to secure a well-deserved turnaround victory against England and avoid a 3-0 series whitewash. Pathum Nissanka led the way with a sparkling 53 not out, making hay in the late evening sunshine after England had earlier been put to the sword under floodlights during a chaotic day at the Oval.
Here, Mail Sport's DAVID 'BUMBLE' LLOYD takes you through some of the stories you may have missed. England are on the brink of an embrassing defeat by Sri Lanka after a chastening third day Hull of a discovery I knew Josh Hull was coming and the 20-year-old looks a real find. On the circuit, Geoff Arnold and Ray Baker, are two notable figures when it comes to scouting fast bowlers.
All their expertise and information is then fed back to the higher-ups. This England team do not care about stats. It’s all about recognising potential.
Josh Hull rose to the challenge as he showed why he is so highly thought of by coaches Moeen a master in middle In praise of Moeen Ali. An absolute gem of a bloke. Above all, he was a bloody good cricketer but I will remember Mo the person — self-deprecating and naturally selfless in everything he did.
A crowd favourite who everyone adored and a principled man with strict values. He was one of the finest timers of a ball I’ve seen and joyful to watch. .
..and a quizmaster too Of many tales with Moeen, I recall a quiz on tour run by Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad and Mo.
I’ve never laughed so much. In the spelling bee, Mo hand-picked the players who weren’t very good at spelling, namely Sam Curran and Adil Rashid. Mo asked Rashid to spell ‘Pneumonia’ and Rashid said ‘N’ so Mo just stopped him and moved on.
We were in tears. He stole the show with his deadpan humour. Moeen Ali announced his from international cricket after being dropped by England Cross does dad proud A word for Kate Cross.
I am thrilled that she is captaining the England women’s team in Ireland and she led from the front with six wickets and an unbeaten 38 in the first ODI. Her dad, the famous David ‘Psycho’ Cross will no doubt be delighted. For those who can recall, he won the FA Cup with West Ham in 1980.
What a player. Show them who’s boss Beware the vulnerable third innings when you don’t have a great first-innings lead. Consolidate your position, don’t slip up and make sure you get in a position to boss the game.
Whether it was careless England or exceptional Sri Lanka, it was England who failed this test. England let the third Test slip away from their control in the third innings at the Oval Go for gung-ho Gay So, the Dan Lawrence experiment has failed. I assume he could have said ‘No, thank you’ to opening the batting, so credit to him for trying but he is a middle-order batsman.
England should have used this chance to give someone like Keaton Jennings or Emilio Gay a crack. They like a bit of gung-ho and they’ll be keeping an eye on Gay for sure. Northamptonshire batter Emilio Gay will surely be on the radar of England in the near future Tourists’ fighting spirit It was a great fightback by Sri Lanka.
When you’re 2-0 down, it’s very easy to think of home time but the commitment and character they’ve shown throughout the series has not gone unnoticed. They take great pride in what they’re doing and you have to remember that this is a side that plays nowhere near as much Test cricket as England. England Cricket Share or comment on this article: BUMBLE ON THE TEST: Josh Hull looks to be a real find - but the Dan Lawrence experiment has failed e-mail Add comment.
