England in Sri Lanka

[wolf]

Not looking good here for England, Sri Lanka are 379-4 at the close, a lead of 28. Unless there is a big collapse tommorow morning, looks like the best we can hope for is a draw.

 

[Sureshot]

Not playing Anderson was a mistake. Come on England, they really need to get some wickets. Facing Murili will only get harder.

Not really. Anderson was awful at Kandy, our 3 pacers have bowled alright imo, the pitch is just awful, plus we've had several catches drop short. I wouldn't have played Anderson.

 

[SciD]

Not looking good here for England, Sri Lanka are 379-4 at the close, a lead of 28. Unless there is a big collapse tommorow morning, looks like the best we can hope for is a draw.

This ones going to be draw. As said earlier pitch is dead.

 

[RoboRocks]

Sri Lanka have batted well. Its going to be a draw for sure and all we can hope now is a win in the third test for a drawn series.

 

[Leicester Fox]

we have the best fans in the world who travel halfway across the planet spending tons of money and we get rewarded with what? 2 wickets in a day. I could have got more bowling on my own all day.

Ok rant over and the fact is we're never going to win a match where we have so much bad luck, you can say what you like but luck is a massive part an England have had none, no chances have carried or stuck, they've played and missed a lot and we've had some shocking batting decisions. I still reckon we can win if we get them out for 45, a lead of 100 then we go and get bowled out for around 300, its unlikely but you never know.

The next test will be down to the toss, if we win it then I ive us a hope. We have thrown away these 2 games, we had them 40-5 and let them win and we were 170-1 and have let them get away. We have the ability to beat anyone but we never capitalise on these positions.

 

[dikon]

we have the best fans in the world who travel halfway across the planet spending tons of money and we get rewarded with what? 2 wickets in a day. I could have got more bowling on my own all day.

Ok rant over and the fact is we're never going to win a match where we have so much bad luck, you can say what you like but luck is a massive part an England have had none, no chances have carried or stuck, they've played and missed a lot and we've had some shocking batting decisions. I still reckon we can win if we get them out for 45, a lead of 100 then we go and get bowled out for around 300, its unlikely but you never know.

The next test will be down to the toss, if we win it then I ive us a hope. We have thrown away these 2 games, we had them 40-5 and let them win and we were 170-1 and have let them get away. We have the ability to beat anyone but we never capitalise on these positions.

First test Sangakkara batted superbly give some credit where it's due we made the most of the new ball then the pitch got flat.At 170-1 as you eluded to we have had some awful luck Pietersen shouldn't have been out,so too Cook and Vaughan was just plain unlucky.We've opened an end up no so hopefully we can capitalise on that in the morning.

 

[Vcassano]

Harmison's been very good considering all the criticism he was receiving before the match. Monty's looked awful though and his lack of development is worrying. He just doesn't seem to have the variation that other spinners have - even Powar had the goodly, offie, leggie etc.

 

[dikon]

Harmison's been very good considering all the criticism he was receiving before the match. Monty's looked awful though and his lack of development is worrying. He just doesn't seem to have the variation that other spinners have - even Powar had the goodly, offie, leggie etc.

He bowled well in the first test.Not sure Powar had a googly he's an off spinner his variation is the arm ball and varied pace.Most other spinners have played loads of domestic cricket Monty hasn't he will learn with time.

 

[MUFC1987]

Short leg? Thats what they said on SSN, I wasn't watching live but I heard them mention it

It was similar to how Vaughan got out. Only instead of it being hit into his stomach, it hit Cook on the knee, he had no chance to be honest.

The thing I don't get with Monty is that there is no way that he can't turn it as much as KP, he just doesn't seem to what to toss the ball up to give it a chance to turn.

 

[Leicester Fox]

I've got to stop coming on here, every time I don't boher coming on we do well! Now if ww get them out for under 500 then we can try and scrape our way to around 350+ we might have a chance. Looking unlikely though

 

[Sureshot]

Cook and Vaughan did well till the end of the day, let's hope we can either bat out the day, or get enough runs so that they have to get 100 in the last 15 or something, though batting out the day is what we need.

Despite their big total, I thought the only bad bowler was Panesar, who had his worst game in an England shirt. Sidebottom, Broad and Harmison all bowled okay without being brilliant, our first innings was so far below par though. Luck has played a big part in this match though, from dismissals to catches falling short.

 

[wolf]

Can't see us losing now, we'll bat it out with ease, it is time Pietersen got in on the act.

 

[Animator!]

Bat it out. Scores are owed by Pietersen and in particular Bopara who needs to prove himself.

 

[Leicester Fox]

yeh I don't think Bopara should have played at all, Shahs just done so much more and the only thing Bopara offers that he doesn't s bowling and obviously thats pointless if he doesn't bowl. Now if we bat the day out, get a draw, then hopefully it we'll play Broad/Harmy/Hoggy(?) Swann, Monty, Sidebum at Gaulle and if we win the toss then theres no excuses we should win. I'd even consider a 5th bowler just because of the complete lack of penetration our attack has. After all Broad and Swann both offer a lot with the bat and Priors really shown a hell of a lot of character and has been our major positive from this point. I'd still rather have Alec Stewart though

 

[MUFC1987]

If we only go with two pace bowlers and drop Harmison so Broad can play, I will launch an all out attack on Peter Moores and Michael Vaughan and Harmison may as well retire.

Mind you, I wouldn't put it past them doing something stupid like that. To me Swann has to play, I'm at the point where I don't even care if it's instead of Panesar.