Looking forward to the first Test
And so after an eventful, but very enjoyable fortnight in Colombo we are off to Kandy to prepare for the first Test of the series between England and Sri Lanka.
At one point on Monday all the old "the wheels are coming off this tour" and "England in crisis" clichés were being dusted off as to the bare bones.
Yet 24 hours later we can reflect on a with most of the batsman showing form, plus far more promising news on the fitness of the bowlers.
As we all make the five-hour road journey to Kandy, some of the England team are stopping off on the way at the world famous .
This is one of Sri Lanka's most visited tourist attractions, which I was lucky enough to see at the end of my last visit here.
It’s the home for over 60 elephants, which have been found abandoned or orphaned in the wild.
If you go at the right time of the day you can actually accompany the animals as they are taken to the nearby river for their daily bath. And if you are even luckier you may get asked to help wash them.
I am also told that the England squad’s two main wildlife experts, Matthew Hoggard and Ravi Bopara, are even considering trying to take a ride on some elephants.
We saw evidence of Hoggard's animal obsession when he was first to search for the snake at the opening warm-up match in Colombo.
When the England players do eventually reach Kandy I’m sure they'll be taken by the beauty of the area.
I remember from my trip here four years ago that it is another special part of the country with its wonderful 14th century Buddhist temples, glorious Royal Botanic Gardens and of course the magnificent golden-roofed Dalada Maligawa shrine of the Sacred Tooth relic of Buddha.
What is also good about Kandy is that being up in the hills it tends to feel a little fresher, especially after the sapping heat and humidity of Colombo.
The , where the first Test starts on Saturday, is also one of the world's most beautiful cricket grounds.
Because of a lack of flat space, the stadium was literally carved straight out of a hill and has amazing views from our commentary position.
We are also likely to witness cricket history at the ground with Muttiah Muralitharan needing just five wickets to overtake Shane Warne as the leading wicket-taker in Test history.
Although he may have liked to set the new record during Sri Lanka's recent tour of Australia, he will perhaps be even keener to do so in front his home crowd at Kandy.
Test Match Special will of course be on hand from 0445 GMT on Saturday to bring you all the drama with our commentary team of Jonathan Agnew, Christopher Martin Jenkins and Sri Lankan Roshan Abeysinghe plus Angus Fraser, Vic Marks and new boy "the analyst" Simon Hughes.
As well as being involved in our commentary Simon will be offering his unique perspective on the day’s play during both lunch and tea intervals. Also regularly joining us during the breaks will be TMS favourite Mike Selvey and one of the most-loved voices of cricket, Ranjit Fernando.
Other things to listen out for during this first Test: Jonathan Agnew will be talking to former England coach Duncan Fletcher, who caused such a storm with his recent autobiography and we''ll be discussing the rights and wrongs of his book.
As always we would love to hear your views - you can e-mail the programme tms@bbc.co.uk, text 85050 or contribute to this blog.
Throughout the Test we'll be crossing live to Calcutta to hear the latest from our reporter Rahul Tandon on the second Test of the and we'll be finding out how the controversial is going.
We will also be heading to India to hear from Ashley Giles about over there now renamed as the England Performance Programme.
Other discussion points will include the new way the England team is going to be selected - again we welcome your views - and we'll be getting all the advice you may need if you are planning a trip to see any of these Sri Lanka Test matches.
If you are listening online or through digital television don't forget to catch up with our brilliant interactive scorecards. If you haven't tried it then you must give it a go this series.
As well as up-to-the-second details on the match, you can see wagon wheels and other information. You really can watch and listen to TMS.
Aggers will be contributing regularly to this TMS Blog with his thoughts on each day’s play and look out for details on our daily TMS Podcast where Jonathan and guests will be rounding up the action and getting all the top reaction.
So no excuses - set you alarm clocks now 0445 GMT on Saturday!
°ä´Ç³¾³¾±ð²Ô³Ù²õÌýÌýPost your comment
Ha, yes Adam.....
These were warm-up matches - why do people take them as the real thing already? They remind me of opera dress rehearsals which have become real performances even though the singers are not going at it full belt.
We've heard all this crisis stuff before, particularly from the media. Does it really mean anything? Let's see what happens when Murali's back and things are really really serious.........
Complain about this comment
i agree, however Murali will not be as important as the opening partnerships. Murali will take wickets, but the side who has the best and most patient batting will win.
Complain about this comment
If England are going to win anywhere it is Kandy, i have a feeling hoggard and Sidebottom will have a big role to play, firstly not to waste the helpful conditions and new ball, but to dispatch Sri Lanka's strong top/middle order.
for sri lanka they go into into this under a bit of pressure, after losing at home to england in the ODI's and being thrashed by the mighty Australia.
finally i am a little worried that England's batsmen are not going on after getting to fifty, come saturday i'd love to see Vaughan go out there and convert his apparent "2002/03 reminiscent form" into a big century and lead from the front, simply to put to bed any stuid split captaincy speculation talk that is going on.
Complain about this comment
Kandy is a fantastic cricketing ground, and I look forward to the match for that among a number of reasons.
Firstly, I really do believe England can win this series. Sri Lanka were thrashed by Australia, whilst England has the joy of the one-day series win against their opposition.
Next, Murali's personal battle in Kandy, of all places, should be a great encounter, and seeing Shane Warne knowcked off the top spot soon will be a thrill in itself.
I look forward to the service commencing and a memorable series win for England!
Complain about this comment
Should be a fascinating series from all perspectives. It will be nice to see The Analyst emerging blinking from his dingy caravan and I am sure his contributions will be memorable. Some recent additions to the team have suffered from boring voice syndrome (no names no pack drill) - just be yourself Simon and keep it interesting.
Complain about this comment
The same question as always: is this "open to all" commentary, or will it be UK only?
Complain about this comment
Ah yes, for those who aren't in the UK, pray tell which of the Delightful Gentlemen of Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Sport Online will accompany us in our online following travails? Will it be the ever indomitable Mr Ben Dirs, or will it be his good friend Mr Tom Fordyce, or will they be doing this Test in tandem, which would double our pleasures (and for some, the pain, but hey we're not here to talk about that)?
Complain about this comment
Glad to hear about the commentary team-as I'm still not convinced about some of the recent new members of the TMS team.
It includes the best combination (Agnew & Marks)-plus an excellent new signing: Simon Hughes.
I seem to remember from one of his books (Morning Everyone) that he's applied unsuccessfully to join TMS on dozens of occasions in the past.
Will he be working for TMS or Channel Five this summer?
Complain about this comment
Adam,
In your 2nd Nov Blog you stated that Russel Arnold would be part of the team, has he been dropped before a ball has been bowled ?! Some "political" interference by SL Cricket perhaps ? see below from the Beeb website back in August
"Sri Lanka firm amid ICL threats.
Sri Lanka have followed India and Pakistan by threatening to ban any national player who takes part in the Indian Cricket League (ICL).
Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Kangadaran Mathivanan said any such players "would not be considered to play even domestic cricket, or hold administrative roles."
The ban would extend to umpiring and commentating, said SLC's statement.
Russel Arnold, who has officially retired and is beginning a career as a television commentator, has publicly acknowledged his desire to take part."
Also, Adam, please please no Ranjit Fernando see www.ranjitfernandosucks.com
Enjoy Kandy
PS, 5 hour road trip, are you taking a Trishaw ?!
Complain about this comment
oh come on adam ranjith fernando one of the best voices??i think you have been drinking too much arrak down there..we sri lankans cringe every time he comes on air!!for pete's sake not rajith repeat fernando!!
Complain about this comment
should be an interesting series , it will be crucial for the side batting first to score excess of 400 runs , putting pressure on the other side , the team that bats better should take the game away , i believe if Murali is not injured and plays throughout the 5 days , hw wil break the record in the 1st test. kudos to him , he deserves it and what better place to win with his Kandy fans around
Complain about this comment