Tag Archives: short

Anthony Watts to quit Widnes Vikings

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Watts to quit Widnes Vikings… despite signing new deal last week

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UPDATED:

08:18 GMT, 8 May 2012

Widnes Vikings have released Australian utility player Anthony Watts less than a week after handing him a new contract.

The 25-year-old Watts, who joined the Vikings on a 12-month deal from North Queensland in the winter, suffered a ruptured cruciate knee ligament 10 minutes into his Super League debut against Salford in February.

That injury ruled him out of the rest of the season but he was last week given a new deal for 2013.

Time's up: Watts will return to Australia

Time's up: Watts will return to Australia

Today, however, the bottom-of-the-table Stobart Super League club announced they have agreed to release Watts from his contract with immediate effect due to personal reasons.

Watts said: 'I would like to thank Widnes Vikings for the opportunity but I need to return home for personal reasons.

'As I suggested recently, I genuinely believe the club will be a huge force within the next few years and go on to achieve great things in the game.

'Unfortunately, I won't be a part of that but I hope the fans continue to show the passion and commitment that I have witnessed in my short time there and help steer this great club back in the right direction.

'I wish all concerned at Widnes Vikings well for the future.'

England still an impossible job! Fabio Capello warns Roy Hodgson

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Capello: It's too late, Roy (but if the Euros go well, I should get the credit)

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UPDATED:

01:13 GMT, 4 May 2012

Fabio Capello has warned his successor Roy Hodgson that he does not have enough time to turn England into Euro 2012 winners next month.

Hodgson was appointed as manager by the FA this week, just five weeks before the tournament starts on June 8.

Capello, who resigned as boss in February, said: 'It's not a normal job. It's difficult to create something in a short space of time. The idea is to create the team spirit and winning mentality in a really short time. It will be hard.

Frustrated: Fabio Capello

Frustrated: Fabio Capello found it difficult to motivate players

'And the other thing is that you don't play a lot of games. In nearly every game, you are either in or out.'

Capello knows Hodgson from the latter's spells managing Inter Milan and wished him well for Euro 2012.

He hopes the former Fulham and
Liverpool manager can lead England to success – to vindicate his own
work during qualifying for the tournament.

'I've known Roy since he was coaching in Italy and I have met him often in these last few years,' Capello told The Times.

'I believe he is a very good and experienced manager. I wish him all the best for the future and Euro 2012.

'I'm happy with the job I did for
England. I hope England will be one of the best teams at the Euros and
they can show my job was really good. If things go well, as I hope,
people will recognise that I did a good job.'

Roy Hodgson: new England boss has been warned

Roy Hodgson: new England boss has been warned

The Italian said he never considered
quitting after the 2010 World Cup debacle and wanted to prove that
England were better than the side which limped out 4-1 against Germany
in the last 16.

Referring to Frank Lampard's
disallowed 'goal', Capello added: 'The only thing I will never forget is
the goal that we scored against Germany. It was at a moment when we
were improving, and if the referee had said the goal was OK I think it
would have changed everything about the England team.

In charge: Hodgson will take Parker and Co to the Euros

In charge: Hodgson will take Parker and Co to the Euros

'Germany were a young team, and for young teams sometimes their reaction is not at the top.

'After the World Cup I decided to
carry on because I wasn't happy. My target was to play in the Euros, and
during qualification I was sure that the team was better than during
the World Cup.

'Another reason I'm happy with the
period of Euro qualification is that a lot of young players played for
the national team. The whole England team is now young. The goalkeeper,
defenders and midfield players. I'm very upset for Jack Wilshere, as
he's a very important player for England and Arsenal, but there's also
Phil Jones, Kyle Walker, Danny Welbeck and a lot of other young players.

'Look at the end of the Premier
League season. There are six top teams. Two are playing to be champions.
Four are playing to qualify for the Champions League. Chelsea will play
in the Champions League final, and before that another cup final, as
well as trying to qualify for next season's Champions League. And a lot
of players who will be at the Euros are part of these teams. They are
expending a lot of physical and mental energy. I don't know what can be
done. It's not my job.

'Managing England is not impossible,'
he added. 'Everything is possible, but you need to be lucky. When you
play in the World Cup and the Euros the balance between the teams is
very small. For this reason if you're not at your top level, you need to
be lucky.'

Regarding his own future, the
65-year-old admitted he was looking for one final job with a top
European club, and possibly managing in the Barclays Premier League.

He said: 'At the end of my career, it would be interesting to find a team with big motivation to arrive at the top.

'England would be very interesting
for me because I know very well the teams and the players, and
everything would be less difficult. It would be easier for me in
England. And my English is not so bad!'

Blackburn 2 Norwich 0: David Dunn laments club"s position

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Changes to blame, admits Dunn as Blackburn battle bravely to avoid the drop

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UPDATED:

21:30 GMT, 22 April 2012

Midfielder David Dunn, who is Blackburn born and raised, can hardly credit how his club have been brought to their knees by infighting.

There was another protest march before the game against Norwich but Dunn acknowledges Rovers will have no-one but themselves to blame should they go down.

‘The club’s plight hurts a lot,’ he said after goals by Mauro Formica and Junior Hoilett brought three vital points. ‘Everything around it does. There just seems to be unrest everywhere you look and that hurts me.

Sort it out! David Dunn lamented Blackburn's current plight

Sort it out! David Dunn lamented Blackburn's current plight

‘It can happen when things aren’t going well, but I think there have probably been too many changes here in a short space of time. Any club making that many changes would be affected.’

Fresh from denying any rift with Gael Givet, who was restored to the starting line-up after having his attitude questioned the week before, the beleaguered manager Steve Kean found himself trying to keep a lid on claims of a bust-up with Steven Nzonzi.

Protest: Blackburn fans remain deeply unhappy with the club's owners

Protest: Blackburn fans remain deeply unhappy with the club's owners

The Blackburn midfielder evidently took exception to being demoted to the bench, after a recent dip in form, but Kean dismissed suggestions of an angry exchange between them by snapping: ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about. Steven has played every single minute, when he’s been available, and it has caught up with him a bit. I don’t want him being burnt out, and I explained that to him.’

Guan Tian-Lang, 13, is the youngest swinger on tour

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EXCLUSIVE: Meet the youngest swinger on tour: Guan, 13, leads red revolution

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UPDATED:

21:07 GMT, 18 April 2012

Oliver Fisher was just 16 when he became the youngest player to compete in the Walker Cup.

Seven years on, the Londoner could be forgiven for wondering what held him back when he steps on to the first tee at the Volvo China Open.

Walking the fairways alongside him will be a fellow competitor who stands 5ft 6in and is barely a teenager, at 13 years and 173 days old.

Driving ambition: 13-year-old Guan Tian-Lang wants to be the youngest player to make the cut on the European Tour

Driving ambition: 13-year-old Guan Tian-Lang wants to be the youngest player to make the cut on the European Tour

Naturally, the better players in the field, like Paul Casey, were openly suspicious about the presence of Guan Tian-Lang, wondering if it wasn't just some spurious publicity stunt.

But Guan is playing on merit, having made it through a qualifying competition to become the youngest golfer ever to compete in a European Tour event.

What were you doing at 13 Looking forward to a lie-in until noon Planning your first kiss Guan is certainly looking forward to his big date.

'I can't tell you how excited I am to be playing in my national Open,' he said.

Guan could be found at Binhai Lake in Tianjin on Wednesday, working on his swing with his father in close attendance. In some respects he could almost pass for a typical teenager, being as skinny as a whippet and not overly interested in talking about his studies.

He looks about eight, pitches the ball about 230 yards through the air with his driver and will have to rely on his short game, his strongest suit, on a course that measures more than 7,600 yards.

Red revolution: China have a production line set-up for producing the next generation of golfers

Red revolution: China have a production line set-up for producing the next generation of golfers

It is usually in the women's game where players make their mark at a very early age. American Lexi Thompson was just 12 when she qualified for the US Women's Open.

Earlier this year, New Zealander Lydia Ko became the youngest winner of a pro event when she claimed the New South Wales Open at the age of 14.

Michelle Wie was the same age when she missed the halfway cut in a men's US Tour event by a stroke in her native Hawaii. What Guan's emergence underlines is the ever increasing presence of players from the Far East in today's game.

We've seen it in the women's events and it seems only a matter of time before the pattern is repeated in the men's.

All over China, there are golf programmes in place where kids are taught the game from as young as five or six then 'hot-housed' if they show potential.

European senior tour professional David J Russell was playing in a pro-am at Mission Hills in 2010.

'There were 36 pros playing alongside 36 juniors and it was such an eye-opener,' he recalls. 'I played with an 11-year-old off a two handicap and he was far from alone in being of that standard. It is amazing to see how good they are at such a young age.'

Guan was introduced to the game by his father at the age of four. He has already travelled the world playing golf, winning numerous age-related titles.

Young gun: Fisher exploded onto the scene when he was just 16

Young gun: Fisher exploded onto the scene when he was just 16

Last year, he went to San Diego and won the World Junior Championship by 11 shots after carding a 63 in the opening round.

On the practice ground yesterday Guan, who speaks fractured English, downplayed any thoughts of being considered the new Tiger Woods. For a start he was born in the Year of the Rabbit – how inappropriate is that

'I'm not thinking about turning pro or anything like that yet,' he said. 'I just want to get better and try to do well here.'

One of the things he is looking forward to is meeting Ian Poulter, the leading attraction this week. Having achieved one record in getting into the event, Guan's ambition now is to set another by becoming the youngest player ever to make the halfway cut.

One man who gives him a shot is Alistair Polson, the tournament's operations director.

'Anyone who has seen Guan play wouldn't rule out the possibility,' he said. 'He really is a talented player. He displays a maturity well beyond his 13 years and doesn't seem fazed by all the attention.'

Welcome to the start of golf's red revolution.

Wasps forward John Hart retires from rugby with back injury

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Hart break for Wasps as back injury forces celebrated forward to retire

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UPDATED:

13:52 GMT, 12 April 2012

Wasps back-row forward John Hart has been forced to retire from rugby due to injury.

The Aviva Premiership club have announced that Hart, who made 165 first team appearances and captained Wasps 38 times, must stop playing immediately because of a shoulder problem.

Over and out: Wasps forward John Hart has been forced to retire

Over and out: Wasps forward John Hart has been forced to retire

The 30-year-old made his Wasps debut in 2002, featuring in two successful Premiership finals and being part of two Heineken Cup-winning squads.

'I am really disappointed to bow out this way, but the decision was taken out of my hands, unfortunately,' Hart said.

'I had hoped I would be able to carry on to the end of the season, but after the game against Northampton (on March 24) it was clear that I wouldn't be able to.

'I've had great support from the club in this matter, and I want to thank everyone for that through a difficult time.'

Wasps rugby director David Young added: 'Harty has been a lynchpin in the Wasps side for a number of years. and I have been hugely impressed with him in my short time with the club.

Luke Benedict

'His leadership and passion for Wasps was the reason I named him my captain at the start of the season, and it's sad to see him have to retire before the season is out.'

Hart's former Wasps back-row colleague Tom Rees recently announced his retirement from the game due to injury during what has been a difficult campaign for the London club.

US Masters 2012: Luke Donald shows survival instinct

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Desperate Donald shows survival instinct

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UPDATED:

22:35 GMT, 7 April 2012

Despondent Luke Donald compounded the
disappointment of his first two days at the Masters by turning what had
been a nightmare on and off the course into a disaster.

The world No 1 was edging towards
third-round respectability when he fell foul of Rae's Creek on Augusta
National's 510-yard par-five 13th hole and sank to a double-bogey seven.

Sneaking in: Donald made the cut by one

Sneaking in: Donald made the cut by one

He followed that with a bogey five at the 14th and his misery was complete when he bogeyed the last hole for a four-over 75. 'I feel a bit flat right now,' he said.

'I had high hopes for this week and it hasn't panned out. 'I'm disappointed because I had prepared as well as ever. Careless mistakes have cost me. I have to keep working. At this stage of my career I need to get into contention in majors.'

An eagle two at the second and a birdie four at the eighth had contributed to a two-under front nine, which compensated for opening rounds of 75 and 73.

But trouble lurked at the 10th.

Before disaster struck: Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley (left) walk up to the third green

Before disaster struck: Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley (left) walk up to the third green

A bogey five was the prelude to the crushing blow three holes later when his three iron was a fraction short, catching the top of the bank and dropping back into water.

'I thought I'd hit a decent shot but missed carrying by two inches, otherwise it would have been 30 feet away for an eagle, but I made a seven. That's how this course is sometimes.

'Same again on 14. I drilled a five iron right of the pin and, if it goes another three or four feet, I have a 10 footer for birdie. It rolls down the hill 45 feet away and I three-putt.

'It's been one of those weeks. I've not played that badly. I've probably driven it as well as I ever have here. My iron play hasn't been sharp enough and certainly not my short game.'

Tillakaratne Dilshan fined for excessive appealing

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Dilshan hit with 10 per cent fine for excessive appealing in first innings

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UPDATED:

08:11 GMT, 6 April 2012

Sri Lanka all-rounder Tillakaratne Dilshan has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee for excessive appealing in the second Test against England in Colombo.

Dilshan was bowling at Jonathan Trott on day three when the he sprinted towards the striker's end in celebration after the ball popped to short-leg.

There was no bat involved, though, and the appeal was promptly turned down.

Hit in the pocket: Tillakaratne Dilshan has been fined for excessive appealing

Hit in the pocket: Tillakaratne Dilshan has been fined for excessive appealing

Dilshan duly pleaded guilty to a level 1 breach of the ICC code of conduct, relating to clause 2.1.5.

That dictates excessive appealing 'shall include a) repeated appeal of the same decision/appeal and b) celebrating a dismissal before the decision has been given'.

Match referee Javagal Srinath said: 'Dilshan accepted the charge and the penalty imposed without qualms and so there was no need for a formal hearing.'

Bradford Bulls raise 300K

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Bulls raise 300K as bid to save club gathers momentum ahead of Friday deadline

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UPDATED:

16:58 GMT, 4 April 2012

Beleaguered Bradford have broken through the 300,000 barrier in their battle for survival and have received the backing of the club's supporters group.

The Bulls need to raise 1million, half by 5pm on Friday, to stave off the threat of a winding-up petition and almost certain administration and have reached another major landmark in pledges.

Bradford chief executive Ryan Duckett said: 'The 300k figure is a significant milestone for the club to reach.

Tough times: Bradford Bulls face the threat of extinction

Tough times: Bradford Bulls face the threat of extinction

'We are delighted to have got that far and pledges are continuing to come in.

'Pledges had slowed down earlier in the week but momentum has picked up again today and we urge all supporters who haven't pledged to make sure they get them in before 5pm on Friday ahead of the Leeds game.'

The Super League club also received support from BullBuilder, a supporters trust, following face-to-face talks with the Bradford board.

BullBuilder spokesman Mike Farren said: “As a result of the meeting, we are fully satisfied that the current situation has indeed arisen from the 'perfect storm' of adverse financial circumstances that the board has sought, we believe not always effectively, to explain.

'We are satisfied that, after the bank withdrew overdraft facilities, in the very short period available to it the board explored all other avenues before approaching the fans.

Empty for good Bradford's Odsal Stadium has hosted many a game

Empty for good Bradford's Odsal Stadium has hosted many a game

'Once they had concluded that only an approach to the fans could succeed in the tight time-frame, they went public as soon as they were commercially able to do so in a structured and organised manner.

'Should the club not receive the level of pledges and other support that is necessary, we are as sure as we can be that the board would have no alternative but to seek administration almost immediately.

'We remain of the view that this would be at best seriously detrimental, and at worst fatal, to top flight rugby league in Bradford.

'As a result, BullBuilder is supporting the Quest for Survival with a pledge of 2,500.

'We likewise urge those supporters who have so far been hesitant or reluctant to back the Quest for Survival to do so now, either via the pledge or other fund-raising activities.'

Hope: Bradford Bulls are closing on their first fundraising target of 500K

Hope: Bradford Bulls are closing on their first fundraising target of 500K

Bradford chairman Peter Hood said: 'We were able to outline what we have been doing in the past week to alleviate the situation and also provide them with an honest overview as to why the club is in the position it now finds itself.

'We are always delighted to meet with them. They are true supporters who have got the best interests of the club at heart.'

Meanwhile, Bradford have been dealt another injury blow ahead of the Good Friday derby against Leeds with the loss of winger Jason Crookes, who is facing a 12 week lay-off after being told he needs to undergo shoulder surgery.

Bulls football manager Stuart Duffy said: “We are desperately sorry for Jason who has been tremendous for us this season.

'It is a further blow to our squad but one which we will just have to cope with.'

Sri Lanka v England: Second Test, day two, Colombo, live

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LIVE: Sri Lanka v England – follow the action on day two of the second Test in Colombo

Stay up to date with all the action on
day two of the second Test between Sri Lanka and England with Sportsmail's
unrivalled team. We'll deliver over-by-over coverage as the action
unfolds at the P Sara Oval in Colombo while our brilliant team of
writers will update with their insights from the ground. Email your thoughts to tom.bellwood@dailymail.co.uk or tweet to @TomBellwood

Sri Lanka v England: Essentials

England: A Strauss (c), A Cook, J Trott, K Pietersen, I Bell, M Prior (wk), S Patel, T Bresnan, G Swann, J Anderson, S Finn.

Sri Lanka: M
Jayawardene (c), A Mathews, T Samaraweera, T Dilshan, R Herath, P
Jayawardene (wkt), S Randiv, S Lakmal, D Prasad, K Sangakkara, L
Thirimanne.

Umpires: A Rauf (Pak), B Oxenford (Aus).

Third Umpire: R Tucker (Aus).

Match Referee: J Srinath (Ind).

Click here for full scorecard

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100th over: Sri Lanka 257-6 (Mathews 53, Randiv 12)

Ah, here we go. Time for a bowling change. Graeme Swann joins the attack. Silly point, forward short leg and slip in place. Encouraging signs as Swann guiles one in, Randiv goes on the drive but fails to lay the spin and inside edges back down the track but wide of the bowler. There's a decent lbw shout which looked promising but struck Randiv just outside the line.

99th over: Sri Lanka 256-6 (Mathews 53, Randiv 11)

The – relatively still hard – ball is doing nowt for the seamers. Time for a bowling change soon, Mr Strauss, please. Maiden.

98th over: Sri Lanka 256-6 (Mathews 53, Randiv 11)

Well, in these early exchanges you have to say it's advantage Sri Lanka. The England quicks have varied line and length stuff with shorter variations to try and unrest Mathews and Randiv. But to no avail. The scorecard is ticking over and England need wickets. Two runs from the final over from a steer down to third man.

97th over: Sri Lanka 254-6 (Mathews 53, Randiv 9)

Boom! Now that's an impressive way to bring up your half-century. The Sri Lanka vice-captain pulls the ball hard through midwicket for four runs.

96th over: Sri Lanka 248-6 (Mathews 47 Randiv 9)

Hello! What's this Some uneven bounce causes Mathews all kinds of problems as the ball spits up off the deck, hits his bat, pads and rattles away onto the off side. 'Randiv is a competent batsman', Nick Knight tells us, 'He has a first-class hundred', as if to forewarn us if he hangs around to torment England for a time. Just the single from the over.

95th over: Sri Lanka 247-6 (Mathews 46 Randiv 9)

Two slips in place for Anderson who is briefly immersed in a chat with umpire Bruce Oxenford over his follow-through strides. Another maiden, England are starting to turn the screw here.

94th over: Sri Lanka 247-6 (Mathews 46 Randiv 9)

The Barmy Army serenade Steven Flinn (As he will be known from here on in) with a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday to You. Forget the singing, let's hope he can deliver the best of presents: a couple of wickets. Finn to Mathews: six dots, that's a maiden.

93rd over: Sri Lanka 247-6 (Mathews 46 Randiv 9)

A word on the pitch: Sky have stuck their cameras in close to reveal a myriad if cracks which will only deteriorate at a rate of knots as the sun continues to beat down on the track over the coming days. It could become a nightmare for England batting, let alone batting last. second Rabndiv angles a couple past the man at slips and there's a play-and-miss in there to keep Anderson interested.

92nd over: Sri Lanka 243-6 (Mathews 45 Randiv 6)

Two slips and short leg in place for birthday boy Steven Finn (23 today, no less). The huge scoreboard displays a congratulatory message reads: 'Happy Birthday Steven FLINN'. Brilliant! Mathews rocks back on his heels as Finn delivers some dross: short, wide and sent packing to the boundary via point in a flash.

91st over: Sri Lanka 238-6 (Mathews 41 Randiv 5)

Aaaaah, there it is! The strains of Jerusalem ring down from the stands as Billy the Trumpet leads the massed choir and James Anderson is handed the ball to begin England's attack. Maiden over gets us off and running for the day.

5.27: Players and officials on their way out. No sound of the Barmy Army singing Jerusalem just yet, but I'm sure it can't be far away. Live cricket is imminent. Tidy.

5.25: So, what are we expecting this morning Lower order resistance or more imperious bowling from England's lead attack James Anderson This is 'moving day' for England, they need to force the issue and try and keep the score under 260-275. Anything above that and they're are right behind the eight-ball.

5.20: And if you've finished that, I can tell you there was DRS controversy yesterday and some more excellent bowling from James Anderson.

5.15: While we have a few minutes to kill before the resumption of play, why not have a quick nose of Paul Newman's report here. And here are the thoughts of the Top Spin's Lawrence Booth.

5.05am: Hello one, hello all and welcome to Sportsmail's coverage on day two of the second Test between Sri Lanka and England at the S Para Oval in Colombo. Eyes down for another fascinating day of Test cricket.

Day one in Colombo was a carbon-copy of the opening in Galle: three early wickets for James Anderson, England elated, then it became the Mahela Jayawardene show. The Sri Lanka captain is highly adept at pulling his team from the fire.

His stand was ended on 105 runs and late wickets for the visitors means this game hangs firmly in the balance, even if the hosts have the slight edge as England will not relish batting last on this track.

And so onwards. Early wickets for England will put them firmly in control. But. And it's a big but. Can the jittery nerves with the bat be held in check on the subcontinent The empirical evidence would suggest the visitors' struggles will continue.

Imperious: Mahela Jaywardene once again led his team from a precarious position

Imperious: Mahela Jaywardene once again led his team from a precarious position

Nasser Hussain: England should keep the sweep

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England should keep the sweep, but they must do it right

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UPDATED:

21:00 GMT, 2 April 2012

The sweep is in danger of becoming a dirty word with this England side, but the truth is it’s a crucial shot to have in your armoury in Asian conditions.

The problem is not with the shot itself, but the manner in which it has been executed.

Look at all the best players of spin in recent times – Brian Lara, Matthew Hayden, Marcus Trescothick, Andy Flower, Graham Gooch – they all worked ferociously on their sweep because they realised it disrupts a spinner more than any other shot. But they chose their moment to play it.

On the sweep: Ian Bell gets down to the spinners

On the sweep: Ian Bell gets down to the spinners

FIVE WHO FELL IN GALLE

STRAUSS: Out lbw after missing a very full, quicker delivery.

BROAD: Attempts to sweep a fuller ball but misses and is out lbw.

BELL: Mistimes a premeditated sweep and is given out lbw.

PRIOR: Sweeps Herath straight to Thirimanne at short leg despite good connection.

SWANN: Misses a sweep and is plumb out lbw.

In the last four Tests, England have been sweeping full-length deliveries off the stumps. It’s a sign of panic. They feel they don’t have any other release shot against spinners on slow pitches, so they premeditate and fail to adapt when they realise they might be in trouble. Their bodies and minds are scrambled.

Plenty of sweeps are premeditated – it’s not a crime. But there must be a Plan B if you realise you’ve chosen the wrong ball. Play an ugly dink, if you like – just don’t get out!

But it’s Plan A that concerns me most. You have to choose the right line for the sweep. The shot is relatively safe to play if the ball’s outside off stump, as there’s less chance of an lbw. And if it’s outside leg, just paddle it round the corner, as Jonathan Trott did so well at Galle.

Showing how it's done: Trott plays a reverse sweep on the way to his century

Showing how it's done: Trott plays a reverse sweep on the way to his century

If you keep sweeping the ball when it’s straight and full, you are playing a high-risk game. And that is especially the case in the era of the decision-review system. Look at Ian Bell in the second innings at Galle. He was hit just in line with off stump – Dickie Bird would never have given it. But now the umpires have got DRS to fall back on, the stroke becomes riskier.

Kevin Pietersen is a good example of someone who has changed his game post-DRS. In his first Test match he was slog-sweeping Shane Warne at Lord’s. He used to sweep Muttiah Muralitharan too. Now he’s less inclined to play it. And the less you play it, the more hemmed in you feel.

When that happens, you’re more likely to do something silly. It can be a vicious circle. And yet bowlers hate it. Murali preferred it when the batsman was trying to hit him over the top rather than sweeping him.

Man-of-the-match: Herath profited from England's poor use of the sweep shot in Galle

Man-of-the-match: Herath profited from England's poor use of the sweep shot in Galle

When I toured Sri Lanka in 2000-01, we knew we could sweep Murali because he turned it so much. If the ball hit you in line with the stumps, the chances were it would spin on past leg stump. And if it was going to hit, it probably hit your pad outside the line of off stump.

But Rangana Herath isn’t such a big turner of the ball, and England are getting into trouble on pitches that are not exactly bunsen burners (turners). They’re trying to manufacture strokes that don’t come naturally to them on pitches they’re not comfortable on.

It’s easy for armchair critics to say they should give up the sweep. But on these slow, low tracks, it’s not easy to come down the track and hit straight.

England are in a bind. But Trott showed there is a solution. Be patient and pick the right ball. And be flexible enough to change your mind if disaster’s looming.