'Windowgate' and Cook's first stumping
Plays of the Day from the 5th day of the 2nd Test between England and Sri Lanka at Lord's
Andrew Miller at Lord's
07-Jun-2011
Matt Prior apologises to MCC members after inadvertantly smashing a window in the England dressing room at Lord's • Getty Images
Scandal of the day
A fit of pique, an etiquette breach, a trivial injury, a spurious explanation, a dash of "misinformation", and the sound of ECB shovels sploshing all the way down to the water table. This was cricket's best storm in a teacup since Jellybeangate in 2007 - and once again, it was Matt Prior at the centre of the (non-) events. In short, Prior was run out second-ball as England faffed over their declaration. He stomped back to the dressing room, where he threw his glove or placed his bat, depending on which ECB explanation you believe, and inadvertently caused the dressing-room window to cave in and shower glass all over the spectators below - one of whom, a lady on her first day as an Associate MCC member, suffered a cut to her ankle. Prior apologised before going out to field, and there the story almost certainly will not end.
A fit of pique, an etiquette breach, a trivial injury, a spurious explanation, a dash of "misinformation", and the sound of ECB shovels sploshing all the way down to the water table. This was cricket's best storm in a teacup since Jellybeangate in 2007 - and once again, it was Matt Prior at the centre of the (non-) events. In short, Prior was run out second-ball as England faffed over their declaration. He stomped back to the dressing room, where he threw his glove or placed his bat, depending on which ECB explanation you believe, and inadvertently caused the dressing-room window to cave in and shower glass all over the spectators below - one of whom, a lady on her first day as an Associate MCC member, suffered a cut to her ankle. Prior apologised before going out to field, and there the story almost certainly will not end.
Surprise of the day
After missing out on a century in England's first innings, Alastair Cook made amends at the first opportunity by grinding along to a 231-ball 106, his 18th hundred in 67 Tests, and his sixth in the past 12 innings. That, however, was not the surprising part. The shock was the manner of his dismissal, as he danced down the track to Rangana Herath, and was stumped by a split-frame as he tried to regain his ground. In eight years of first-class cricket, and 150 previous games, he had never once got out in such a manner - which says a lot about his style.
After missing out on a century in England's first innings, Alastair Cook made amends at the first opportunity by grinding along to a 231-ball 106, his 18th hundred in 67 Tests, and his sixth in the past 12 innings. That, however, was not the surprising part. The shock was the manner of his dismissal, as he danced down the track to Rangana Herath, and was stumped by a split-frame as he tried to regain his ground. In eight years of first-class cricket, and 150 previous games, he had never once got out in such a manner - which says a lot about his style.
Ball of the day
Maybe this is the secret to Kevin Pietersen's phobia. For the 20th time in his past 65 Test innings, he fell to a left-arm spinner, but just for once, it would be cruel to dwell on that fact. The ball that bagged him was an absolute rip-snorter - pitching outside leg, hitting the top of off, not dissimilar to Ashley Giles's collector's item against Damien Martyn in the 2005 Ashes. Up until that point, Pietersen had looked to be regaining his fluency, as he dispensed with all the dancing at the crease and concentrated on reaching his first hundred in a home Test since The Oval in 2008. He missed out, but at least he's been reminded that some balls just have your name on them. Maybe he'll now be able to treat the rest with the contempt of old.
Maybe this is the secret to Kevin Pietersen's phobia. For the 20th time in his past 65 Test innings, he fell to a left-arm spinner, but just for once, it would be cruel to dwell on that fact. The ball that bagged him was an absolute rip-snorter - pitching outside leg, hitting the top of off, not dissimilar to Ashley Giles's collector's item against Damien Martyn in the 2005 Ashes. Up until that point, Pietersen had looked to be regaining his fluency, as he dispensed with all the dancing at the crease and concentrated on reaching his first hundred in a home Test since The Oval in 2008. He missed out, but at least he's been reminded that some balls just have your name on them. Maybe he'll now be able to treat the rest with the contempt of old.
Fail of the day
For a batsman of the highest class, Kumar Sangakkara's Test record in England is unbecoming. In eight Tests since 2002, he has mustered just 399 runs at 26.60, with just a pair of half-centuries - 65 and 66 - at Lord's and Trent Bridge on his second visit five years ago. At the age of 33, this was conceivably his final chance to etch his name onto the honour's board at Lord's, and in the absence of Tillakaratne Dilshan, he was promoted to open alongside Tharanga Paranavitana. Sadly for him, on 12, Chris Tremlett banged in a long-hop, well outside off stump, and in a moment of confusion, Sangakkara slapped a cut straight to Eoin Morgan at point.
For a batsman of the highest class, Kumar Sangakkara's Test record in England is unbecoming. In eight Tests since 2002, he has mustered just 399 runs at 26.60, with just a pair of half-centuries - 65 and 66 - at Lord's and Trent Bridge on his second visit five years ago. At the age of 33, this was conceivably his final chance to etch his name onto the honour's board at Lord's, and in the absence of Tillakaratne Dilshan, he was promoted to open alongside Tharanga Paranavitana. Sadly for him, on 12, Chris Tremlett banged in a long-hop, well outside off stump, and in a moment of confusion, Sangakkara slapped a cut straight to Eoin Morgan at point.
Andrew Miller is UK editor of ESPNcricinfo