England Cricket 
/ Ed Hawkins / 27 March 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Can Andrew Strauss put in an improved display in England's second innings?
"Of the last five fourth innings when a side has been bowled out on this ground, the average score is 174 while England's highest innings total in six attempts in Galle is 253."
England are suffering from a crisis of confidence, says Ed Hawkins, as he considers the reasons for their batting collapse and weighs up their chances of a successful chase...
One can muse for hours about the reasons behind why Englishman go to pieces on a soft, crumbly wicket in the sub-continent against wily, magical spinners. Perhaps it is because they are used to batting on green tops against medium pacers who like an ale and a pie at lunch.
Perhaps they can't see the flight of the ball through the sweat dripping into their eyes.
The collapse of England' top order in Galle on the second day of the first Test against Sri Lanka could have been down to both of those. More likely it was the result of lingering confidence issues from their 3-0 whitewash against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Yesterday this column discussed why it was difficult to make an assessment on the match and the series until we saw how England coped.
Well, they didn't. They produced a timid, frightened batting performance which was exposed when James Anderson and Monty Panesar swotted the Sri Lankan bowling around the park with ease for 34 runs for the last wicket.
The chronic lack of confidence was most evident in England's obsession with the sweep shot. They view it as their get out of jail shot, a residual comfort blanket which goes all the way back to Duncan Fletcher's time as coach. As soon as they feel susceptible, they cling to the sweep. It has to be played well, though, and Andrew Strauss and Stuart Broad were both guilty of grasping too tightly.
Those two wickets were two of six leg-before dismissals if further proof were needed that this was the Emirates all over again. Matt Prior and Samit Patel, however, perhaps best personified England's mental state. They went back instead of going forward, misjudging the length horribly. Any cricketer will tell you that playing spin is all about judging the flight and these two were not even close. Between them, Rangana Herath and Suraj Randiv claimed eight wickets for 100 runs.
Indeed, Graeme Swann's four-wicket super show in Sri Lanka's second innings was bitter-sweet. He ragged it square which will only have added to England's unease as they face the prospect of a daunting chase. With a lead of 209, Sri Lanka probably already have enough.
Of the last five fourth innings when a side has been bowled out on this ground, the average score is 174 while England's highest innings total in six attempts in Galle is 253.
Sri Lanka have won only one Test since Muttiah Muralitharan played his last game in July 2010 and, despite Herath being a pale imitation of the great man, they should make it two here. They are [1.42] with England [3.55] and the draw [42.00]. The best wager, predictably, is to get against England for 250 or more on the innings runs market.
Recommended bet
Lay England for 250 or more at [2.30]
Ed Hawkins, the Betting Writer of the Year for the second year in succession, has all the stats and analysis ahead of the match, which starts on Monday...
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Pakistan are talking a good game ahead of the first Test but England's preparation under Andy Flower is exemplary and they are capable of dealing with whatever Saeed Ajmal bowls at them, says Ralph Ellis....
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