England’s win in Sri Lanka broken down into the figures

The second test in the Moose Clothing series poised nicely with all four results looking possible entering the fourth day, but following a superb all-round performance from the visitors, the ownership of the cup fell to England after their six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka, winning the series 2-0.

From the moment of the first coin flip to Dom Sibley tickling a single off his pads for the second Test win, there have been many statistical anomalies and highlights that have come out of the second test and the series. Below are five stats you may have missed.

England hit Sri Lanka for six

England have brought up their sixth successive Test win over Sri Lanka, dating back to 2012. After levelling the series, they followed this with the 3-0 whitewash in 2018-19, and have now won both matches in Galle. England’s continuous six takes them past their Bangladesh best of five victories, and only two behind the eight wins in a row against South Africa in the 19^th Century.

England extended their run dating back to 2012
Credit: ECB

Joe Root just keeps the records tumbling

After scoring 426 runs in the series, his total amassed (8,249) surpassed three of England’s finest ever batsmen in; Geoffrey Boycott (8,114), Kevin Pietersen (8,181) and David Gower (8,231). Having played only 99 matches and at the relatively tender age of 30, he finds himself in a real position to look at moving higher and higher.

Injury permitting, Root will make his 100^th appearance in Chennai next month against India. Sitting only 214 runs behind Alec Stewart in third, this should be swept aside at some point during the four-test series.

Root, not just comfortable with the runs, averaging 49.39 with the bat, is also considered as a bit of a ‘Golden Arm’ with the ball; but should he be considered in higher regards? Often referred to as an underrated bowler, his 31 wickets have now arrived at an average of 47.19.

The usual benchmark of an all-rounder is that their batting average is higher than their bowling. Now Root has cleared that mark, and given the effectiveness he has when turning the arm over, at what point does he become a genuine all-rounder?

Finally regarding Root, it was his sheer dominance against spin that set the tone. Against Lasith Embuldinya – who was by far and away the standout Sri Lankan in this series – he scored 200 runs off 247 balls, without losing his wicket.

Root now becomes only the second player ever since the ball-by-ball data became available (in 2001) to score 200 or more runs against one specific bowler in a series without being dismissed. The only other occasion being Rahul Dravid against Stuart MacGill in Australia in 2003-04, scoring 218 off 346 deliveries.

Joe Root averaged 44.4% of England’s run, second to only Wally Hammond’s 52.4% against New Zealand in 1932-33
Credit: Times of India

Whilst others faltered, Lasith stood tall

It was almost hung on the shoulders of Lasith Embuldinya to gain a positive result for the Sri Lankan hosts in this series. The 24-year-old spinner who was only playing in his eighth and ninth Tests, took 15 wickets in the series, but against England’s top-order he really shone and stood apart from his teammates.

Against England’s top-six batsmen, he took 12 wickets at an average of 23. Between all his colleagues they took just two wickets and averaged 410 apiece.

The 24-year-old shone brightly despite little support from his teammates
Credit: Sky Sports

Niroshan continues to dream

They say for any international cricketer getting your first century is always the most difficult. This is one statement that Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella will fully endorse and support. His score of 92 in the hosts’ first innings saw him bring up his 16^th Test half-century but he is still to reach the landmark of three figures.

He has tied former Indian opener Chetan Chauhan’s unwanted record of 16, something the wicketkeeper will be desperate not to break. Dickwella is now also second in Test history for the most runs without a century. Only Shane Warne sits 991 runs ahead of the 27-year-old, who thankfully still has time to turn his statistical career around.

Neither record that Dickwella is closing upon makes for pretty reading
Credit: BBC Sport

Seam and spin take all ten

Instances of seamers or spinners taking all ten wickets in an innings happens rarely, but the second Test saw another first for Test cricket. Mark Wood, Sam Curran and James Anderson claimed all the scalps in the first innings, while Jack Leach, Dom Bess and Joe Root snaffled all ten in the second. The closest any team has ever come to this previously was Australia in 2010 against Pakistan; taking all ten in the first innings via seam, with Marcus North and Steve Smith taking nine in the second.