England in Sri Lanka March-April 2011/12

[Haarithan]

Looks a good wicket to bat on, so credit to the bowlers AGAIN - Jimmy in special. Just hoping they can clean up the Sri Lankan tail tomorrow within 50 odd runs and then pile up 400 on this surface. Hopefully.

Well 240/6 and Matthews

Completely unrelated, but I've observed that you and rahulkhush always (or atleast 90% of the times) start with a 'well' in your posts.

 

[ste_mc_efc]

Well 240/6 and Matthews and Randiv playing and as seen in past the tail can wag. This means Sri Lanka can still post 300 odd runs in first innings which is more then enough for a 150ish lead

they have enough or a 150ish lead already.

 

[shravi]

...now to sit back and watch England inexplicably implode and make a Herath and Randiv look like Warne and Murali... Foresight is a wonderful thing.

 

[puddleduck]

I love how everyone is just expecting an England collapse haha

Don't know what we'll all do if they actually score runs

 

[ste_mc_efc]

I love how everyone is just expecting an England collapse haha

Don't know what we'll all do if they actually score runs

probably complain about flat pitches ruining test cricket.

 

[puddleduck]

Haha, funny thing is England do probably prepare the best test wickets (not necessarily best county wickets mind). They have something for everyone if you play well. Value for shots, something for the quicks on either side of a length and normally some pace and bounce for spinners which can break up to some good turn by days 4-5. Australian pitches are pretty good too.

Yet, here we are playing on flat pitches where teams really should be grinding out 400, and instead every single one since the UAE has been fairly low scoring, pretty exciting cricket. Just hate to think what some of England's winter opponents would get bowled out for on a pitch with some pace and bounce...

Oh yeah, it was called Cardiff, and I think Sri Lanka managed 82...

 

[puddleduck]

Here we go again Hoping Jimmy can start like he did yesterday. You have to hope you can nip out someone like Mathews who hasn't played in a month with a new ball.

Looks a bit stiff haha

 

[Mike23]

I've got a bad feeling that England will rack up atleast 400.

 

[puddleduck]

I've been thinking that for the last 9 innings Mike haha Keeps not happening though

Good start so far from Sri Lanka, looks very easy going out there. I'd get Swann on for an over or two pronto just to mix it up.

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Bugger, can't moan about Strauss's captaincy when he does exactly what I suggest haha

Even got men around the bat...

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Nice one Swanny, needed that Gotta get rid of the rest quickly.

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Swanny you little diamond. Now come on England, pressure on, nip out the real tail and then remember how to bat...

 

[Mike23]

@puddleduck - do you tweet a lot?

 

[Owzat]

We lost two Tests in UAE after leading on 1st innings, the only two times we've lost under Strauss' captaincy having had the lead. Ironically we've lost four tosses in a row, the first two lost tosses we had a 1st innings lead and blew it.

While Strauss hasn't exactly been prolific, he has scored 26+ in each of his last five innings which may not be ideal, but better than others. Four of Strauss' nine defeats as captain have come this winter.

Our average 1st innings total this winter is 213, that wouldn't be good enough. We need to put a decent lead on the board, 75+ normally but with England being capable of falling apart might want to make that 100+

 

[puddleduck]

@puddleduck - do you tweet a lot?

Haha, why do people keep asking me this

No, I do not have, use, or whatever else you do with twitter... why would I need to, I can come on here and talk to myself...

Good morning in the field that, now please for christ sake Cook and Strauss try not to put all the pressure on our middle order again!

 

[Mike23]

I just hate watching the SL quicks, they bowl **** most of the time. Why don't we field a bowling line up of all spinners? We're only playing into England's hands by bowling these 2. Hell even Dilshan would be better.

 

[Owzat]

I think tradition and the new ball maybe swinging leads sides to open with quicks in 99% of Tests. I think it is just standard and accepted practice simply to open with quicks and try to get early wickets, although the theory that batsmen can struggle to get going when facing spin from their first ball is not one that should be discarded.

England really need to be looking at 350+, although staying in the game is probably priority given past failures. I think 327 is our highest total this winter

 

[swacker]

Good to get through that tiny session before lunch with all wickets in hand.

I hope we play positive today. This top order need runs. Lets face it they have not scored nearly enough this winter.