Rain delays the inevitable by CricketArchive staff reporter

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Event:

Sri Lanka in England 2006

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DateLine: 27th May 2006

 

Birmingham: Rain gods are standing in way of an inevitable England win in the second Test against Sri Lanka, here on Saturday. The visitors ended the second day on a pathetic note, tottering on the brink at 86/4 in their second essay with a first innings deficit of 153 staring at their face. There was, however, a brief respite for the islanders as rain forced cancellation of play in the pre-lunch session on the third day. But the Lankans’ chances of survival are negligible since two full days of play are possible even if Saturday were to be washed out.

 

England were cruising to a commanding lead on Friday before Muralitharan put the breaks. The wily off-spinner scalped six wickets to contain the hosts to 295. Kevin Pietersen’s swash-buckling century wasn’t enough to take England to a massive total. But the real problem for Sri Lanka is their brittle batting, which has no clue against bowler of any hue. If weather holds up for a brief period on Saturday, England may still be able to uncork champagne bottles in their dressing rooms.