Fortress Galle stormed
England achieved their first victory at Galle by 211 runs and ended a losing sequence that went back to October 2016.
After the uncomfortable start in the morning of the first day, Ben Foakes, Sam Curran and before them Keaton Jennings steadied the ship. In the end the win was comfortable. Not a ball was lost to rain and the wicket did not turn as much as expected.
Important contributions were made too by Moeen Ali who took 8 wickets, Ben Stokes who bowled with hostility and Sam Curran.
The coach and captain now have the difficult job of whether to choose Jonny Bairstow, who to play at number three and who to drop if they choose another seamer at Kandy on Wednesday.
I cannot see how man of the match Ben Foakes could be dropped but word is Bairstow is fragile and would find it difficult to come to terms with giving up the wicketkeeper’s gloves.
If Stuart Broad is picked, then Jack Leach could be the unlucky discard.
All in all England would be delighted with this performance and for once they have given their long suffering supporters something to cheer.
On the way back to our hotel we stopped to view the fishermen on stilts.
There is one wholesale fishmonger in our group who scaled the post, as did the irrepressible Lamby.
I viewed from afar. I suspect the skill lies less in perched on the stilts angling in the shallows but taking rupees off mugs like us for photographing it.
