Sri Lanka v England: Jack Leach says tourists have 'great chance' to win

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England nightwatchman Jack Leach watches the ball after playing a shot against Sri Lanka
Jack Leach will resume as nightwatchman for England on day three
Second Test, Pallekele (day two)
England 290 & 0-0
Sri Lanka 336: Roshen 85, Karunaratne 63, Dhananjaya 59, Leach 3-70, Rashid 3-75
England trail by 46 runs
Scorecard

England have a "great chance" of victory over Sri Lanka in the second Test with "any kind of a score" in their second innings, says spinner Jack Leach.

Roshen Silva's 85 helped Sri Lanka make 336 on day two, a lead of 46 runs on a pitch offering significant turn.

England closed on 0-0 in Pallekele after Leach survived the final over of the day as nightwatchman.

"Batting last on that wicket will be very hard," Leach, 27, told BBC Sport.

"If we bat well and get a good lead then that will put a lot of pressure on Sri Lanka."

England are 1-0 up in the three-match series and victory in the second Test will secure their first away series win under captain Joe Root.

Dimuth Karunaratne (63) and Dhananjaya de Silva (59) put on 96 for the third wicket to frustrate England in the morning before the tourists reduced Sri Lanka to 165-6.

But Roshen expertly accumulated to add 171 for the last four wickets, while England's spinners failed to bowl a consistent line and lengths.

"Our plan for the day was to be as patient as possible and know that things were not just going to happen," said left-arm spinner Leach, who took 3-70.

"We were a bit disappointed that they got ahead because we felt at one point we could've had that lead.

"I could have been a bit more consistent in terms of asking questions ball after ball.

"I need to be really specific with my line and length in the last innings because if it's turning a lot then we all need to be right on it. That's going to give us a great chance."

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60 comments

  • Comment posted by Jumparound, at 20:14 15 Nov 2018

    I never thought I'd see the day that Jack Leach opened the batting for England! 🤣

  • Comment posted by Paul Sutton , at 20:19 15 Nov 2018

    Looks like it's going to be a good test match. Not too sure I've ever seen an opening night watchman before though!

  • Comment posted by DolbyD, at 20:20 15 Nov 2018

    50 here for you young Jack! Take your time, see the shine off the ball, and play the ball as late as possible, 30-0 at lunch better than 75-6. Time is the key. See the shine off the ball and let Jennings come out at 3 and score.

  • Comment posted by U16796374, at 22:02 15 Nov 2018

    What on earth is the '5 penalty runs' rule about? I always thought that short runs simply didn't count. The batsman thought it was a 4 (very nearly was) stopped short, forgot to ground his bat and attempted to run a 'second' run. Neither 'run' valid and no harm done, so why the penalty?

  • Comment posted by Raedwulf, at 21:46 15 Nov 2018

    Realistically, we have a great chance to lose too. It's a finely poised match. Which is great! :) And also, considering day one, grate... ;-)

  • Comment posted by boating-voter, at 21:12 15 Nov 2018

    Aminur @11
    Those who suggest Woakes (or Curran, Bairstow, or other "typical" late middle order batsmen) to bat in the top 5 are missing a vital point.

    Making runs with the tail, slogging gloriously against a soft ball & frustrated tired bowlers, is a lot easier than building a big score against a hard bouncy ball & fresh hungry bowlers.

    They'd get found out quickly at the top of the order.

  • Comment posted by Stu, at 20:22 15 Nov 2018

    What else is he going to say... and that is worth a headline?

    Important to remember that there are 3 days left. How will England play? They tend to go aggressive and it might pay off but its risky. I'd love to see someone knuckle down and build a responsible innings... Maybe Jennings? but not holding my breath.

    SL showed they know how to play on this pitch but Leach to win it for us.

  • Comment posted by Potters1863, at 20:19 15 Nov 2018

    Neither did Leach!

  • Comment posted by boating-voter, at 23:20 15 Nov 2018

    RobertW @37

    I've lost count of the number of times this argument has come up, & how many times I've said the same.

    Wrist-spin has so much more going on during the delivery, that it's impossible to get the same level of control as with finger-spin. Warne was an anomaly, most wrist-spinners go for a lot of runs.

    But they get wickets. After all, if the bowler doesn't know what's happening...

  • Comment posted by QED, at 20:26 15 Nov 2018

    It may be that the wicket is getting easier to bat on! England lower order and today the Sri Lankan lower order seemed to be able to accumulate runs with relative ease. I think we will need to bat all day tomorrow to set a target of around 250 which may just about be enough to squeak home if we bowl better.......but then again!

  • Comment posted by crickleinfo, at 22:13 15 Nov 2018

    5 penalty runs for not grounding your bat, but nothing for dissent nor slow over rates? ICC really needs to update this part of the rules

  • Comment posted by Paul Sutton , at 20:54 15 Nov 2018

    This is where the inexperienced players will have their metal tested. Plenty of time, nothing rash needed just a nice patient build up. Real test cricket. This is where someone like Burns could really make his mark & give his fledgling career a push in the right direction. COME ON ENGLAND!

  • Comment posted by blinkin park, at 23:38 15 Nov 2018

    Apart from Warne no leggies are picked to keep the runs down. 
    Rashid is a wicket taker. The control is needed from the off spinners. 
    AR has a higher batting average than root, stokes, burns and ali in this series. Anderson hasn't done much in SL this time. 
    Beats me why some people love to pick on Rashid

  • Comment posted by Bhajiboy, at 21:26 15 Nov 2018

    Sri Lanka big favourites, 46 run lead huge! Would like to see some disciplined batting tomorrow from England. Let’s not have the usual collapse as the series would slip away! Root to score a ton tomorrow!

  • Comment posted by Ossie009, at 20:38 15 Nov 2018

    Who could have guessed this England team and batting line up 1 year ago!
    Jack Leach
    Rory Burns
    Keaton Jennings
    Ben Stokes
    Joe Root(c)
    Jos Buttler
    Moeen Ali
    Ben Foakes(wk)
    Sam Curran
    Adil Rashid
    James Anderson

  • Comment posted by boating-voter, at 21:17 15 Nov 2018

    As Stu says @5, what else is he going to say??

    Realistically, Eng is facing an unexpected 1st innings deficit. In a low scoring game, 46 is a hurdle in its own right.

    This is the end of day 2. Aeons still to go. They have to pace themselves, take their time & build sensibly, Be mature, not intemperate toddlers in a rush to hit everything out of sight. As Paul S says @14, Real test cricket.

  • Comment posted by Hostamosta, at 09:53 16 Nov 2018

    Enjoying listening to Zafar Ansari on Cricket Social. One of many aspects I appreciate about the sport, it attracts intelligent people, unlike the Neanderthal tribal game that consists merely of kicking a ball up and down a field. And Leach is right, good chance of an England win. Curran and Rashid to come. Now, I must make a smoked salmon sandwich, where did I put the lemon?

  • Comment posted by Tony, at 08:55 16 Nov 2018

    The love affair some people have with Stokes is incredible. A world class player we are continually told. His batting is average and bowling no better. All those that say he is essential are wrong. We need one all rounder not a team of them and currently Curran is playing better. Stokes at 3 is a joke. Stokes anywhere higher than 7 is a joke.

  • Comment posted by boating-voter, at 23:14 15 Nov 2018

    I hope Leach digs in & sells his wicket dearly. His target should not be to just whack a few & get out, but to still be there at lunch.

    That'd be a massive frustration to SL, & set an excellent foundation for a match-transforming innings total.

    However (James @36) I'm not confident that the top order has the patience & mental discipline to build a big score. Hopeful, but not confident.

  • Comment posted by RobertW, at 23:09 15 Nov 2018

    @25 that's what happens with a leg spinner; take wickets but often expensive

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