England in Sri Lanka

[dikon]

I see Harmys apparently limped off, that narrows the choices down a lot and with Hoggy bowling well it looks to me like a choice between Jimmy and Broad for the other spot and from what Peter Moores was saying it looks like it will be Jimmy

Not a contest for me Jimmy has arguably been our best bowler this year and Broad isn't quite ready for tests.

 

[Sureshot]

2 spinners? I think we have to play to our strengths, an attack of:

Hoggard
Sidebottom
Anderson
Panesar

Look stronger than...

Hoggard
Sidebottom
Panesar
Swann

It was always a risk with Harmy, can't see how they can play him next Saturday.

 

[Leicester Fox]

How do you know Broad isn't read for the tests? He took 11 wickets at under 20 in the ODI's, he's a better bat than all the bowlers in the squad except for Swann and in his last first class game he took 8 wickets and scored 130 runs without getting out. I'm not really sure what else he can do to earn himself a place in the test side.

 

[Sureshot]

I honestly think that with either Anderson or Broad, we can't go too wrong. I can't see either being a let down. We might have to put Sidebottom at 8 if we play Anderson though.

 

[manee]

I'd go with:

8. Sidebottom
9. Hoggard (2)
10. Anderson (1)
11. Panesar

Anderson to lead the attack opening the bowling at 140kph with Hoggard and Sidebottom coming on quite early on so he can exploit new ball swing. I really rate Anderson and feel that he is the greatest match winner England have had since Harmison was in form. I feel that Broad is far too raw to play Test cricket just yet.

 

[.Mob]

I'll agree with manee on Jimmy Anderson, he was all over our line-up in the first test, and has improved rapidly. I rate him higher than Sidebottom, to be honest, I'm waiting for Sidebottom's bubble to burst and people taking him for plenty.

 

[evertonfan]

Anyone who can make Sachin Tendulkar their bunny has to be certain for selection. He's been our best bowler of the latter part of the year, and was very good in the CB series and the world cup as well.

 

[Sureshot]

I'll agree with manee on Jimmy Anderson, he was all over our line-up in the first test, and has improved rapidly. I rate him higher than Sidebottom, to be honest, I'm waiting for Sidebottom's bubble to burst and people taking him for plenty.

That'll take one hell of a batsman, it's not as though he's been lucky for his success, he's bowled accurately, if you're accurate then you will be succesful.

 

[.Mob]

There was a reason for his disappearance out of the team for some time, you know, I reckon this is the best of his class, I am expecting to dip sooner or later, I could be wrong though.

 

[aussie_ben91]

I dunno, Anderson's average has climbed from 33 to 38 the last time I checked and was constantly going at over 4 runs per over and conceeding well over 100 runs in an innings everytime I saw him bowl and that's when he was bowling in England, one of the most ideal places in the world to bowl so I don't know how he'll go on the subcontient pitches.

Sidebottom's been England's best bowler, methinks. His time out of the side has enabled him to mature, sort of like Matthew Hayden for Australia but Hayden's much more classy.

 

[Sureshot]

Pah, he can't block like Hoggy though!

Anderson has damaged an ankle. So looks like Broad will make his debut anyway.

Hoggard and opening partner, Bopara , have the home side 38 for 5 currently after we were all out for 134, with Bopara top scoring with 47, only 3 players passed 3 iirc. Edit - My mistake it was 4, Prior made 10.

Hoggard has 5 now.

 

[dikon]

How do you know Broad isn't read for the tests? He took 11 wickets at under 20 in the ODI's, he's a better bat than all the bowlers in the squad except for Swann and in his last first class game he took 8 wickets and scored 130 runs without getting out. I'm not really sure what else he can do to earn himself a place in the test side.

For a start he didn't even do well in 4 day matches last year for Leictershire he should have been ripping through batting line ups in that division but he didn't i see him as a one day bowler at the moment but i'm sure he will become a very good test bowler.

 

[Leicester Fox]

Mate he bowled very well for Leicestershire considering he never got a run without being called up for England. His form towards the end of the season was very good and it's not fair to say he isn't ready when he's playing well, did he not get a 5fer for England A? (I remember he did well but I was in Portgual lol). Now I'm not saying he'll come in a rip through them (although part of me still thinks he will!) but he's a reliable enough bowler too do ok. The main problem is the wickets won't be suited towards quicks and Sri Lankas batting is very strong so his figures most likely won'y look good and everyody will call for Jimmy. Now I don't claim to be an expert but I am the only person on ths site who' seen him play more than about 5 times in the longer form No doubt now he will go for 0-150 though.

 

[dikon]

Mate he bowled very well for Leicestershire considering he never got a run without being called up for England. His form towards the end of the season was very good and it's not fair to say he isn't ready when he's playing well, did he not get a 5fer for England A? (I remember he did well but I was in Portgual lol). Now I'm not saying he'll come in a rip through them (although part of me still thinks he will!) but he's a reliable enough bowler too do ok. The main problem is the wickets won't be suited towards quicks and Sri Lankas batting is very strong so his figures most likely won'y look good and everyody will call for Jimmy. Now I don't claim to be an expert but I am the only person on ths site who' seen him play more than about 5 times in the longer form No doubt now he will go for 0-150 though.

I just think Anderson is the better option, he's bowled well all year in all forms and has the experience of touring the sub continent.

 

[irottev]

Hoggard is actually in good form, so I would infact play him. I got the idea he hadn't had much cricket, but he seems to be doing fine. I just wouldn't use Sidebottom.

After these performances, after seeing SL in Australia and looking at Murili and Sangakara being in the SL side both at home, i'm rekon SL will roll England like SA did to us.