England 8/13 to take second Test following victory in Cardiff
Published:Fans have been calling for every England Test match to be played at Cardiff following a stunning final day collapse by Sri Lanka.
Having spent four days watching a dire Test match fizzle into a draw thanks to some strong batting and plenty of rain, England’s victory came as a nice surprise to the few fans that witnessed the final days play.
Despite boasting some of the most potent batsman in world cricket, Sri Lanka failed to bat out the remaining 55 overs of Monday’s play after losing all 10 wickets for just 82 runs.
The manner of Sri Lanka’s dramatic collapse suggests England should have no problem wrapping up the series win over the next two Test matches and Andrew Strauss’ side at 1/12 to win the series.
All attention now turns to Lords for the start of the second Test on Friday and England are the strong favourites at 8/13 to win and with Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell in such fine nick, it’s hard to see Sri Lanka upsetting the odds.
James Anderson will be missing from the England team for the second Test but Chris Tremlett and Graeme Swann proved the Lancashire paceman will not be missed against a novice Sri Lankan team by taking eight wickets between them in the second innings.
Jade Dernbach has been called up to replace Anderson in the England squad but it looks as if Steven Finn will be given the chance to prove his worth after being dropped on the morning of the first day of the first Test.
At the home of cricket, this established England side should be too strong for a Sri Lankan side that is yet to gel and Strauss’ men should wrap up the series win.
