England cruise to indoor success over Sri Lankans
by Alan Rowley, 18th April 2004

The first of three indoor Test matches between England and Sri Lanka took place at Willows Sports Centre in Derby on Saturday 17th April. The well-disciplined England squad were comfortable victors over the experienced tourists, winning the game 92-82.

For those who haven't played the game before, the match is played over four 'skins'. Each skin consists of four overs. Each of the eight players bowls two overs and the batsmen bat in pairs, one pair for each skin. Each wicket down costs the batting side five runs. Runs are scored dependent on where the ball hits the netting. The umpire, in this case Derby's James Windscheffel, sits perched above the action, along with the scorer.

Sri Lanka started the game as marginal favourites with most of the previous encounters between the countries going the way of the tourists. The England squad were out for revenge in a game that was played at lightening speed.

Action from the England v Sri Lanka Indoor Test at Willows Sports Centre, Derby

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat and openers Thushendra Zoysa and Dilshan Witharana were soon in trouble against opening bowler Anthony Timpson, making his international debut. Only two runs came from the opening over. By the end of the skin, the visitors score had moved on to 28.

Chrishantha Peries and Iroshan Da Silva were well contained in the second skin with only 15 coming from the four overs. England successfully managed to contain the Sri Lankans over the third skin with only 16 runs resulting.

The final skin was more profitable for the visitors with Asela Pathirana and Sanjeewa Jayaratna putting on 23 runs to take the Sri Lankan total to 82.

With over 200 spectactors in the hall, the excitement was mounting, aided by the DJs who were belting out 70s and 80s classic rock everytime a wicket fell. It was a great advert for the indoor game for anyone who hasn't watched before, but don't be mistaken, it is nothing like the outdoor equivalent.

England opened with skipper Ian Darlington and Anthony Timpson, two local lads who knew the venue well as they play their indoor cricket at Willows. The openers set off at break-neck pace accumulating 36 runs by the end of their four overs. This undoubtably set the home side up for a great victory and meant that the following players only had to play up to their ability to land the spoils.

England openers Anthony Timpson (forground) and Ian Darlington prepare for action
watched by Sri Lankan 'keeper Dilshan Witharana

Second pair Sean Ongers, of Medite Ipswich, and Derby's Darren Yeomans were an inexperienced pairing with Yeomans making his debut and Ongers only securing his fifth cap. Their inexperienced didn't show as the pair maintained the momentum to rack up a further 17 runs.

At the halfway point of the England innings, their total was 53, ten runs up on the Sri Lankan halfway score.

Third pairing, Australian Seb Ellis, and Ian Walker kept the scoreboard ticking over. The experienced Walker, vice-captain of the squad who plays for Stumps Birmingham, is the most capped player in the squad with 40 international caps. His experience was put to good use as they totalled 20 runs from their four overs to leave the final pairing only 9 runs adrift.

The final pairing of Medite Ipswich's Gavin Driver and Jason Green, from Stumps, only had to hold their nerve to steer the England lads home. Despite an early scare coming from a needless run out, the pair inched their way towards the Sri Lankan total and eased home with something to spare.

Final scores:
Sri Lanka: 28,15,16,23=82
England: 36,17,20,17=92
England won by 10 runs.

The entourage now moves on to Ipswich for the second Test at the Henley Road Sports Stadium on Wednesday 21st April. The final Test takes place at BallPark Leisure in Cradley Heath the following day, Thursday 22nd.