Agency :
Despite having their own Test series against Sri Lanka to focus on, the England squad were keeping one eye on the ups and downs, twists and turns of the just-concluded rubber between Australia and India. Partly, that was because of the compelling nature of the contest down under but also because of the four Tests against India that come thick and fast next month. That challenge, already daunting, now looks even more so.
India’s performances at the SCG and the Gabba have certainly raised the stakes ahead of England’s visit and while Joe Root is adamant that he wants his side to look no further than the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, beginning today, there is little doubt that the India series looms even larger over the squad following the events in Australia. Whether England are inspired or intimidated by India’s famous victory against Tim Paine’s team remains to be seen.
The second Test against Sri Lanka was already an important match for this group of players. England are not yet such a good team away from home that they can take any Test match for granted. A series win in Sri Lanka would be a significant achievement given the absence of some key players, their lack of preparation time and how difficult it is for visiting teams to win in Galle. But with the India series coming up, it is even more important they take care of business this week so they board their charter flight to Chennai with a spring in their step.
Backing up their first Test win with another will be far from easy for England. Sri Lanka proved on days three and four that they are a formidable side in their own conditions; had they batted slightly better on the first day, they may well even have won. England did exceptionally well to win the opening Test. They will have to do even better to win the second. And for now, that is the immediate focus. “If we start to look four games ahead we won’t give ourselves the best chance of winning right now,” Root said.
Despite having their own Test series against Sri Lanka to focus on, the England squad were keeping one eye on the ups and downs, twists and turns of the just-concluded rubber between Australia and India. Partly, that was because of the compelling nature of the contest down under but also because of the four Tests against India that come thick and fast next month. That challenge, already daunting, now looks even more so.
India’s performances at the SCG and the Gabba have certainly raised the stakes ahead of England’s visit and while Joe Root is adamant that he wants his side to look no further than the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, beginning today, there is little doubt that the India series looms even larger over the squad following the events in Australia. Whether England are inspired or intimidated by India’s famous victory against Tim Paine’s team remains to be seen.
The second Test against Sri Lanka was already an important match for this group of players. England are not yet such a good team away from home that they can take any Test match for granted. A series win in Sri Lanka would be a significant achievement given the absence of some key players, their lack of preparation time and how difficult it is for visiting teams to win in Galle. But with the India series coming up, it is even more important they take care of business this week so they board their charter flight to Chennai with a spring in their step.
Backing up their first Test win with another will be far from easy for England. Sri Lanka proved on days three and four that they are a formidable side in their own conditions; had they batted slightly better on the first day, they may well even have won. England did exceptionally well to win the opening Test. They will have to do even better to win the second. And for now, that is the immediate focus. “If we start to look four games ahead we won’t give ourselves the best chance of winning right now,” Root said.
