Niroshan Dickwella engaged in banter during the second Test match against England at Galle. Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman was caught murmuring behind the stumps and his words were clearly caught by the stump mic.
It is cognizance of the fact that Jonny Bairstow has not been named in England’s squad for the opening two Tests against India in February. However, for the 14th edition of the cash-rich Indian Premier League, he has been retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan wicketkeeper decided to play mind games in a bid to unsettle Bairstow in England’s first innings. During the 36th over, Dickwella can be heard saying that Jonny is someone who plays only for cash.
Dickwella backed his claim by adding that the Englishman will play the IPL but not the first two Tests against India starting next month. Meanwhile, Bairstow got distracted by these words and lost his concentration while batting.
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The English cricketer surely fell prey to Dickwella’s words as the latter chirped all the way to his dismissal. Just a ball later, the SRH batsman was trapped for an inside edge off Embuldeniya’s bowling. The ball went straight into the hands of Oshada Fernando at slip.
Bairstow couldn’t believe that he would get dismissed in this sort of fashion. He made his way back to the dressing room after scoring just 28 in the first innings. Sledging is quite common in the game of cricket. But, Dickwella surely crossed his limits in his banter.
England complete 2-0 whitewash over Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka failed to protect their crumbling fortress as they lost 2 consecutive Tests for the first time in history. England won the first Test by 7 wickets. The tourists followed it up with the 6-wicket victory. With this special win, they registered a 2-0 whitewash over the hosts.
Talking about the second Test, Angelo Matthews scored a brilliant 110 in the first innings. Niroshan Dickwella was the second-best in terms of contributing runs. He missed out on scoring a hundred by just 8 runs. They helped the hosts post 381. James Anderson picked 6 wickets for the visitors.
England replied with 344 in the first innings. Joe Root was the pick of the batsmen as he scored a valiant 186. He was en route to scoring yet another double century of the series but Oshada Fernando ran him out. Jos Buttler scored a candid half-century.
Sri Lanka collapsed in the second innings as they scored just 126. Jack Leach and Dom Bess ran riot as they accounted for 8 dismissals between them. Sri Lanka set a target of 164 for the visitors. England lost 4 wickets during the run-chase.
Dom Sibley and Buttler added a 75-run match-winning partnership to steer his team to a 6-wicket win. Sibley chipped in with 56 while Buttler scored 46 to his name as England finished the run-chase on Day 4 itself.
Joe Root – Player of the Series
England captain Joe Root was adjudged the man of the match for his batting masterclass. Root scored 426 runs in the series. The real challenge lies up ahead for Root’s side as they will fly for a full-fledged tour. Initially, both teams will play the four-match Test series next month. The first Test will take place in Chennai at MA Chidambaram Stadium on February 5.
