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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Nicholas Brookes

Sri Lanka return to Lord’s 40 years after taming Botham and England

Sri Lanka England Lord Test Ian Botham Cricket Test Match
Sidath Wettimuny batting for Sri Lanka in 1984
Sidath Wettimuny inspired Sri Lanka as they announced themselves on the world stage in 1984. Photograph: Ken Kelly/Popperfoto/Getty Images

In 1984, Sri Lanka arrived in England unknown and unrated, newbies who had lost seven of their first 11 Tests. Their only trip outside Asia had brought heavy defeats by New Zealand so when they arrived at Lord’s, little was expected.

But it had been a tough summer for England. Pummelled 5-0 by West Indies, they were undeniably weary. Some considered a one-off match against lowly Sri Lanka as a chance to gloss an ugly summer, others felt the whole thing was an inconvenience.

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