England v Sri Lanka, First Test - Player Reviews

England

Andrew Strauss A quiet match with the bat for the skipper as he was undone by a rare threatening ball from Lakmal. Barring one sharp drop off Swann, his slip fielding was as exemplary as ever and his captaincy equally so; allowing Bell to make his century avoided any loss of morale and a sustained attack helped gain the most unlikely of victories.

Alastair Cook Gone is the player of twelve months ago who relentlessly fiddled outside off-stump. His century was as good as chanceless and the presence he now offers at the top of the order is more reassuring than the price of Stella Artois. Took the catch that sealed the match.

Jonathan Trott Quite simply a run-scoring machine. Attracted some ridiculous criticism for his scoring rate on day four but asking Trott to change his style is like asking Status Quo if they wouldn't mind adding in a couple of extra chords to their repertoire. His average is now approaching freakish proportions. Ran out Maharoof fortuitously off his own bowling.

Kevin Pietersen Well well. KP dismissed by unheralded left-arm spinner. It isn't all that simple; even with the benefit of technology, it took five full minutes for him to be given out and the ball did keep horribly low. However, his body position and approach to this most filthy style of bowling are well out of kilter. There's no question of him losing his place - yet - but it's an issue he has to deal with quickly. In 19 out of his last 61 Test innings, it's the cursed left arm tweakers who've removed him. We're being generous here and including Xavier Doherty in that.

Ian Bell The form of his career continues with another excellently compiled century, and how nice that he was allowed to complete the job before England's declaration. If we were saying he was wasted at six in Australia - is he wasted at five now? Also cemented his reputation as one of the world's best fielders at short leg.

Eoin Morgan We learned nothing about him. He isn't great in the field, he doesn't bowl and his innings of 14 off 19 tells us little. His time to shine, or otherwise, will come.

Matt Prior Tidy behind the stumps including a sharp catch off Swann in the second innings. Didn't bat.

Stuart Broad Looked as ring-rusty as you would expect of a man who has played precious little cricket over the last six months. Improved steadily and wrapped up the tail in convincing and hostile fashion. Question marks still remain over a man who takes his wickets at around 35 apiece, but they're really for another day.

Graeme Swann The world's best spinner showed once again that even on unresponsive tracks, he offers control and a genuine wicket taking threat. At one stage he had the incredible figures of 4-0-4-4. A world class performer who will be licking his lips at the further prospect of bowling at this brittle Sri Lankan line-up.

Chris Tremlett Beginning to secure his place as a bona fide England regular. Bowled well with little luck in the first innings, but was truly devastating when Sri Lanka came out to bat what they surely would have felt would be a routine net through 51 overs. They were wrong. Is also beginning to show that he isn't just a bang it in short merchant - his fuller length, as shown with Paranavitana's second innings dismissal, is equally dangerous.

James Anderson Bowled beautifully early on but was cruelly sidelined by a minor side strain. He'll miss Lord's and most likely the Rose Bowl, not necessarily a bad thing as the important thing is to have him fit and raring to go against the Indian top order.

Sri Lanka

Tharanga Paranavitana Played a methodical innings first up against some challenging bowling from Anderson and Tremlett which indicates that he has the right temperament for Test cricket. Like so many, looked ill at ease from the off on the final day and was out for a duck, which set the tone for the eventual collapse.

Tillekeratne Dilshan A poor game for the new skipper. Threw away his wicket in the first innings when well set, then his captaincy was a litany of confusion. Mendis was barely used, he brought himself on as first change, and wasted the second new ball by bowling Herath over the wicket to the right handers. Then wasted a referral by reviewing his own dismissal in the second innings when he'd manifestly hit the ball. Big improvements required all round.

Kumar Sangakkara A modern great had a very disappointing game. Possibly unfortunate to be ruled out under the UDRS in the first innings - he almost certainly *did* hit the ball, but the supporting evidence available was flimsy. His body language in the field wasn't the best and was comprehensively undone by Swann as all around him was falling. Sri Lanka need him to return to form, quickly.

Mahela Jayawardene Still an exceptional slip fielder, but was given a real working over by first Anderson, and secondly Tremlett to be dismissed cheaply both times. Both he and Sangakkara could well be suffering from difficulties in re-adjusting to the red ball format after a prolonged IPL spell.

Thilan Samaraweera Looked composed for his 58 before falling to Anderson's first over with the second new ball, wiping out his previous dismal record in England. Clearly has talent but his attempted cut to Swann, given the match situation, was faintly ludicrous.

Prassanna Jayawardene A very well made century against testing bowling helped partially dispel the theory that he has been promoted beyond his abilities at number six. With such a long tail, Sri Lanka will need big contributions from him with the bat if they are to salvage anything from this series. Looked competent behind the stumps although little was offered in the way of chances thanks to an anodyne attack. In the second innings, suffered a similar fate to Sangakkara in the first innings - a UDRS decision that was almost certainly correct, but not necessarily arrived upon satisfactorily.

Farveez Maharoof The cult-hero of Lancashire's early season looked every inch the journeyman county pro. Little more than medium pace, poor in the field (one "slide tackle" attempt to stop a boundary was laughable) and contributed little with the bat, though he was unfortunate to be run out backing up first time around. It seemed fairly clear just why he hasn't played Test cricket for nearly four years.

Thisara Parera Willing but wicketless, Parera is the epitome of this limited and unthreatening seam attack. Could be vulnerable to the returning Dilhara Fernando at Lord's. Did at least show some resistance with the bat in both innings, which may just save him.

Rangana Herath Failed to impress in a spell at Hampshire last season and again, it was clear why. His brand of left-arm spin is most easily comparable to the phalanx of twirlers that Bangladesh habitually field, though predictably enough, he did dismiss Kevin Pietersen. Played a truly horrible shot as the second innings came towards its close.

Ajantha Mendis The "mystery spinner" is only a mystery because it's hard to work out why he was selected in the first place. Short on form in a brief spell at Somerset, he picked up the solitary wicket of injured nightwatchman Anderson and rarely turned the ball, and was used for a mere three overs on day four.

Suranga Lakmal Just a solitary wicket for the young seamer who did little to convince that he is a viable option at this level.

England Ladder: Test Matches

1. Strauss- Already older than both Vaughan and Atherton were when they played their last match, it is conceivable that Strauss is approaching the twilight of his career. The decision to play Tests only is a bold move, given his fantastic form recently in the 50-over version of the game, but one that it is hard to disagree with. Unlike many previous captains (Athers' bad back, MPV's knackered knee, Freddie's buggered body), Strauss has rarely - if ever - missed matches through injury. So long as that remains the case, we could see Strauss as the first name on the team sheet (both as captain and as arguably the most important batsman) for a few more years still.

2. Swann- One of the most surprising elements of the Ashes thrashing was that England had so little difficulty in bowling out the Australians with a relatively insignificant contribution from the world's leading spinner, who is perhaps best remembered for his tour diary rather than his fifteen wickets (admittedly a total not to be sniffed at, but at an average of almost 40). That is not meant to be a criticism, rather an observation, as all the pundits, whether in the press box or in the armchair, assumed a series victory would depend on Swann being the star performer. Nonetheless, he is the best spinner in the world (second in the rankings only to Steyn, for what they're worth) and an automatic pick, maybe the only automatic pick, in all forms of the game.

3. Cook- Is it really less than a year ago that his technique, his form and his place in the team was being questioned? One of the best winter tours from any England player ever has removed any doubt about him; allied with his position as vice-captain, the opening partnership with Strauss, already the highest-scoring pair for England, will surely continue for the foreseeable future. It better had, for the queue of openers ready to fill his boots is rather short. However there are question marks over how the ODI captaincy will affect his form. So long as the half-hearted, slow-footed prodded edge to slip doesn't return, he should be fine.

4. Anderson- The leader of the Test attack for a while now, his figures in Australia and last summer were incredible. If he keeps bowling as well as that, rather than his rather substandard ODI performances, then a whitewash against Sri Lanka, even with their batting order, is possible.

5. Trott- God, England supporters should all love the man who is ranked No. 4 in the world by now. Despite a dodgy winter in South Africa at the start of his career, his average of 61.53 after 18 matches puts him second only to the Don. By the end of the summer he will have played more matches than Pollock and Headley, who are third and fourth on the list of averages. It is not difficult to envisage his average remaining that high come September. How old does one have to be to remember the last time No. 3 in the English order was not a problem position?

6. Prior- He averaged 50 down under and after 40 matches, his batting average of 42.96 is higher than Gooch's and Collingwood's were at the same stage in their career (and higher than Vaughan's career average, incidentally): Prior's place in the Test team is pretty much certain. His wicket-keeping is competent enough to make The Flying Beard a candidate for the global Test team, should the Martians land with their cricket coffins. Just don't ask him to open…

7. Bell- Continues to progress. His current form and ability with the bat would have made him an England great in the lesser teams of the 1990s, but in the era of a settled batting line-up, he is still perceived to be only on the verge of transformation from having the potential to actually delivering it. The plethora of nicknames may be slightly tongue-in-cheek, but Lord Ian Ronald Bell MBE MBE MBE continues to rise.

8. Broad- Seems to have been around for years. Actually, he has been around for years. A great foil to Anderson and Swann, his fairly low position on the ladder is indicative of the current form and mood of this England side under Team Andrew (and also related to his recent run of injuries). If he gets fully fit, and stays fully fit, he's in the side, but the performances of the other seamers in the Ashes suggest he's got very healthy competition.

9. Pietersen- No longer the star of the team, it's easy to forget he averaged 60 in the Ashes and that Cook wasn't the only man to score a double hundred. Like other English players in the past with incredible self-belief, it is difficult to balance his talent with his figures, and the character with the results. He is still a huge force to be reckoned with, but KP needs a run of consistent scores over the summer and next winter to reinforce the idea that he is world-class, rather than just bloody good.

10. Bresnan- The most improved player? The most underrated player? Or a club cricketer who's got lucky? The B&Q jokes have sadly decreased in use, as Bresnan demonstrated his value to the side in Australia. A very useful squad player, who takes the 3rd seamer position in the ladder due to being perhaps better suited to an English summer than the taller bowlers. If it weren't for injury, would probably be playing in the first Test.

11. Tremlett- His absence from the Lions squad suggested that the 3rd seamer position would be between him, a fit Bresnan and Finn. Now his place in the side has been confirmed, it's good to remind people that he was a surprise selection for the Ashes. Of course he performed better than anyone could have wished for in Australia and is a very handy bowler who will surely cause the Sri Lankans and Indians problems.

12 and 13. Morgan and Bopara- Bopara can bowl a bit, Morgan can't. Bopara is scoring well in county cricket (division two) with two hundreds, Morgan was averaging 15 from 9 innings in the IPL with one fifty. Both have talent, both have yet to prove that they are the right man for the Test side. Currently Bopara should be ahead, but the final choice depended on their performance in the Lions match. Morgan's colossal innings sealed it, to the surprise of many. Nonetheless, both will need to perform consistently in all their matches this summer if they are to cement a place in the side for the next few years.

14. Finn- Outstanding figures for the start of his career, but probably lacks a bit of control and composure that is needed if he is to play regularly. It is likely that this will come in time though, so don't write him off. Also very handsome.

15. Shahzad- His swing bowling should place him above Finn in English (and Welsh) conditions, but Finn's place in the squad for the first Test shows the selectors wanted to choose two of three taller bowlers to support Anderson.

16. Davies- Should be reserve wicket-keeper, though knowing England, there's probably a dozen players challenging for this.

17. Panesar- It is difficult to assess who is back-up for Swann. Tredwell is unlikely to trouble India or Sri Lanka. The Lions squad included Patel and Briggs, neither of whom look like international bowlers at the moment. Rashid seems to have dropped off the England radar, so for now, Monty probably remains the first reserve.

18. Taylor- It is telling that only one proper opener was selected in the Lions squad (Jimmy Adams), meaning James Taylor filled that role. Allied to his strong start to the season and undoubted potential, it is judged that he is currently the next in line for a place should one of the top seven (i.e. including Morgan and Bopara) are injured.

19. Onions- With Woakes injured and Onions fit, it is the more experienced man who takes the place as 7th (seventh!) choice seamer.

20. Bairstow- His selection in the Lions squad shows he's in the selectors' thoughts.

21. Dernbach- Is not Liam Plunkett.

22. Hildreth- Lions captain with a chance of playing should Bopara and Morgan both fail.

23. Adams- Appears to have overtaken the Yorkshiremen Lyth and Gale. Possibly the back-up opener.

24. Woakes- Injured, but a stunning start to the season warrants inclusion still.

25. Mahmood- Hey, at least he's not Amjad Khan.