Cricket - England in Sri Lanka

It is very much honours even at the end of the first day in the opening Test between Sri Lanka and England, in Galle. Strauss' tourists began brilliantly, with their opponents on the ropes are 190-7, yet a spectacular unbeaten 168 by Mahela Jayawardene lifted the hosts to close on 289-8. Despite being dropped on four occasions, it was a superb knock from the skipper and his heroics ensured that this game definitely remains in the balance. So, just where is your money in this two Test series?

Sri Lanka 1-0 : 2.6

England 1-0 : 2.62

Draw 0-0 : 2.64

Draw 1-1 : 3.3

England 2-0 : 5

Sri Lanka 2-0 : 6

It's been a promising start by England, without doubt. However, upon their recent whitewash in Pakistan it was the batsmen which let down coach Andy Flower, so it is there where there will need to be a marked improvement in order to achieve success. It terms of it only being a two Test series, this creates an imperative need to avoid defeat in the first, and England will be wary of this. They will have to bat long and hard in their first innings starting tomorrow, and that could well set the tone for the series.

TB's Series Prediction - Draw 1-1 : 3.3

HA