England in Sri Lanka

[Leicester Fox]

Sangakkara is still the key here. Knowing Englands complete lack of any killer instinct they could yet add another 100. Great bowling by Monty, making a good start to his tour already, Sidebottoms been a bit expensive after his first wicket, Jimmys dissapointed me. He's kept it tight which I guess is all you can ask of him but he hasn't really caused them too many problems. Get them out for under 200 and finish the day without losing a wicket and it's a great start in the 2nd toughest place to tour in the world. Maybe thats a bit hopeful

Great catch Colly. Hoggard and Monty the pick of the bowlers but I'm glad Jimmy got a wicket, he bowled better than Sidebum imo. Hopefully we can bat the day out now, as long as we don't play Malinga like an idiot the quicks shouldn't trouble us too much.

 

[evertonfan]

Took a great catch to end a great innings. Unlucky Sri Lanka, well played England.

However, that bowling effort means sod all if we get rolled over now.

 

[irottev]

Must be a pretty terrible pitch? Or is is just a terrible batting performance by SL. They seemed in decent form in Aussie.

 

[King Pietersen]

Great start with the bat England ¬¬

 

[Leicester Fox]

Not that bad a pitch, turned a fair bit and the new balls swinging a lot, once you get past that though you look sorted. Vaughan got away with one there, we need Trescothick. In these situations he'd relieve the pressure by attacking but Vaughan and Bell don't really do that until their in.

 

[irottev]

Field Day for Murili later on then i'm guessing. Some commentator (during the NZ vs SA ODI) mentioned that that in Murili's last 25 home tests, he's taken over 200 wickets.

 

[charith]

Gee I feel sorry for sanga. Thats twice in 2 weeks he's had to salvage the innings. If just one top order player can stick around. He's in sublime touch just needs a few partners so he can bat around them.

Malinga unlucky. Should've had Vaughn. Looked pretty dead. Other than for that once the shine wears off it shouldn't be too difficult to bat. KP and the rest could be dangerous. As usual murali will have to take wickets unless Vaas or Malinga has a blinder.

 

[evertonfan]

A good day's play for England that. We could have done without the Cook dismissal so early on but full credit to Bell and Vaughan for batting as well as they did. It's vital that we get a lead of 100 at the very least, if we're going to be batting last on this pitch we need to be chasing as few as possible.

 

[usy]

Michael Vaughan common, when was the last time he scored something big?

188 a bad start..

 

[treva]

Michael Vaughan common? I spose' a common player averages just under 45 and has scored more hundreds than 50's (17 100's and 15 50's)? Wanna know the last time he scored big? Just two tests ago, the 2nd test of the England India series at Trent bridge. Trying to save the match scored 124 off 193 balls, and got out with the ball hitting his thigh pad and trickling onto the stumps. You obviously either have no knowledge of Michael Vaughan at all or are some way off in your asumptions of 'common' players...

 

[Skater]

I was at Trent Bridge when Michael Vaughan scored his last Test century, it was fantastic!

 

[treva]

He is a top quality player, and in my opinion England's 2nd best batsman after KP, and i'm sure some think he is better. Has done brilliantly along side Bell in the last session. A lead of 150 will surely put this game beyond Sri Lanka. Murali seemed to trouble England a touch, but was easily defended at times.

 

[dikon]

I was at Trent Bridge when Michael Vaughan scored his last Test century, it was fantastic!

That was Micheal Vaughan at his pure best that day.

England did well today but counts for nothing if we don't get a decent lead tomorrow.Good to see Hoggy back picking up wickets.

 

[wolf]

HOGGY HOGGY HOGGY. :hpraise That is a dream start to the series. Seems like a good all round bowling performance, keeping it tight and picking up the wickets.

We need to grind it out tommorow, and build some partnerships.

 

[aditya123]

That was Micheal Vaughan at his pure best that day.

England did well today but counts for nothing if we don't get a decent lead tomorrow.Good to see Hoggy back picking up wickets.

That was a great inning by Michael. I enjoyed the quality of cricket on display in that India-England series, far better than the Pakistan series.
This series against Lanka promises to be interesting as well.

Murali will be the deciding factor.