Twitter Reactions: Jos Buttler and Sam Curran save the day for England
The Lankan spinners did most of the damage with nine out of the ten wickets.
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Prior to their second Test against Sri Lanka in Pallekele, England were brimming with confidence. Moreover, they were in with a golden opportunity of getting their opponents on the mat yet another time and inch closer to a rare Test series win in the sub-continent. Joe Root and Co wouldn’t be overly delighted though, as they ended their first innings at 285 in 75.4 overs.
Jos Buttler races away
The Three Lions won the toss and had no hesitation to bat first. But they lost Keaton Jennings for one to interim skipper Suranga Lakmal. Rory Burns and Ben Stokes tried to steady the ship with a 37-run stand. Dilruwan Perera removed Stokes for 19 runs to break the partnership. Malinda Pushpakumara, who replaced Rangana Herath, got rid of skipper Root for 14 runs.
Rory Burns was the next man to perish for 43 as Akila Dananjaya picked up his first wicket. Even as the other batsmen strained to find their feet, Jos Buttler took the bowling by the scruff of the neck and notched 63 runs from 67 deliveries with the help of seven boundaries after which he became Pushpakumara’s second victim. Ben Foakes also couldn’t perform.
Curran takes England to respectability
With the score at 171/7 in the 47th over, the Brits found themselves in a precarious position. However, Sam Curran accomplished his third half-century to bail his team out of jail. The left-hander scored 64 runs from 119 runs with the help of six hits into the stands and a solitary boundary. He was severe on the spinners and didn’t shy away from playing his strokes freely.
Adil Rashid lent him appropriate support and scored 31 runs. The spinners did most of the damage with nine wickets out of the ten. In Lanka’s first innings, the visitors used the tweakers for seven out of 12 overs and the tactic worked for them. Jack Leach nipped out Kaushal Silva for six. Pushpakumara and Dimuth Karunaratne remained not out as the hosts ended on 26/1.
Here is how Twiter reacted
BOOM! See ya.
Incredible batting by @CurranSM – 6 sixes & still blazing away. What a gutsy entertainer.
So young yet so calm. #SLvENG pic.twitter.com/2QRk0iOwP4— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 14, 2018
His Dad would be so proud! #talent https://t.co/C721UlDnG7
— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) November 14, 2018
"Curran is a player who reads situations better than any other player in the England team currently. He's got the knack of getting the side out of holes."@MichaelVaughan is very impressed with the Surrey man.
Live: https://t.co/l6hIsvpV3T#SLvENG #bbccricket pic.twitter.com/XnIdxIcjds
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) November 14, 2018
This Sam Curran surely knows how to bat with tailenders… Another supremely crucial fifty at a critical juncture! Remember, he was the most impactful performer in 2 Tests against India earlier this year. Had it not been for him, India would perhaps hv won the series! #SLvENG
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) November 14, 2018
Have they just decided to take a frame out there 🤣🙈
— Sam Billings (@sambillings) November 14, 2018
Game over #engvssl
— Rob Key (@robkey612) November 14, 2018
Sri Lanka tactics have been nothing short of woeful …….. #SLvENG #JustSaying
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 14, 2018
How good is Stewie!!! @CurranSM 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/eqlaqgOAaK
— Ben Duckett (@BenDuckett1) November 14, 2018
Lower order Runs will once again Win England this Test Match ….. #SLvENG
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 14, 2018
Sam Curran is the first player to reach each of his first 3 Test fifties with a six.
— Andrew Samson (@AWSStats) November 14, 2018
I think England have got this one wrong! Trying to appease everyone and squeeze ‘them all in’ doesn’t work. Bairstow proven and still England’s number one in test matches. Sam Curran more likely to be long term number 3 who will bowl a bit! Stokes is a middle order all rounder..
— Nick Compton (@thecompdog) November 14, 2018
Most sixes in first 50 runs of Test innings without a 4:
5 Sam Curran today
3 Martin Guptill NZ v Bdesh Hamilton 2010— Andrew Samson (@AWSStats) November 14, 2018
When I grow up, I want to be Sam Curran. #bbccricket
— Daniel Johnson (@_dsjohnson) November 14, 2018
England have added 428 runs for their last-three wickets in seven innings when Sam Curran has batted with the tail – an average of 61 runs an innings from wickets no. 8 ,9 & 10; Curran himself has made 239 of those runs at an average of 34.14. #SLvENG #SLvsENG
— Shiva J (@Shiva_cricinfo) November 14, 2018
Played Sam Curran! Wonderful knock. Potentially match winning.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) November 14, 2018
Sam Curran. The no.3 which England desperately needs.
— Yash (@YRG1996) November 14, 2018
285 all out it is then. Once again Sam Curran to the rescue…
— P₹akash $inha 🇮🇳 (@Predicto_Praky) November 14, 2018
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