England in Sri Lanka

[wolf]

147-4 at the close. Looking at the bigger picture I can see this being a draw, but a decent first day for England. Nice to see Harmy being back in the groove. We need to get them out for between 250-300 to try and force a result.

 

[dikon]

I don't like the idea of playing Swann in a Test. I'd like to see him be a ODI exclusive.

Also, if you don't play Broad in this Test Match then you've pretty much wasted his debut.

How's it a waste?It has given him a taste of what it's like to bowl at test match level and an idea as what's needed on flat wickets.It also shows he will have to work even harder to prize his way into the team.

 

[Sureshot]

147-4 at the close. Looking at the bigger picture I can see this being a draw, but a decent first day for England. Nice to see Harmy being back in the groove. We need to get them out for between 250-300 to try and force a result.

The key is Jayawardene, get him early, then we could get them out for 220ish.

 

[RoboRocks]

England have to bowl better tommorrow and get Jayawardene as Sureshot says. England need to keep the game moving forward and they need one of the top order to make a hundred now. If England don't win, they'll move down to 5 in the test rankings and will have lost 3 out of the last 4 test series. They need to win!

 

[Kev]

3 days before the game and the stadium looks like having no chance of being ready for Tuesday, leaving it this late is a big problem, if it's not ready come Tuesday morning (the pitch should be irrelevant in this) then the Sri Lankan Cricket Board should be punished by the ICC, it's unacceptable.

Do you not think you are being a little on the harsh side there? This match is symbolic and frankly for one I'm just please to see test cricket being played there at all.

 

[RoboRocks]

Looking at the state of the ground, they have done really well to get cricket there at all. I think they should of tried another ground even if it was in another ground in Colombo again. If they new it would be nip and tuck to get the ground ready for the start of the test then that is silly since you don't want players or spectators being affected by conditions.

 

[Kev]

I think they should of tried another ground even if it was in another ground in Colombo again.

I disagree, its really important that this match was played there. I don't care if the players had to get changed in tents or if all the spectators had to bring their own seats. This match is about more than just cricket. It wont do the players any harm not to have super luxurious dressing rooms.

 

[RoboRocks]

I disagree, its really important that this match was played there. I don't care if the players had to get changed in tents or if all the spectators had to bring their own seats. This match is about more than just cricket. It wont do the players any harm not to have super luxurious dressing rooms.

No, I understand the importance the game is for Galle and the locals but when you could a "danger" factor for anybody do to rushing. I don't think anybody would to happen and I may sound like a twat saying this but it really would be worth waiting to get the ground properly ready so there is worries.

 

[Sureshot]

Of course there's a big symbolic meaning for getting test cricket being played back there again, the boxing day Tsunami was an awful event, maybe I was being harsh.

I still think that with all the niceties we have to remember that we're hear to win a test match and draw a series, sentiment is a big part, but there's more parts to it.

I hope I don't sound too callous.

 

[Animator!]

I'd rather have them stage the game at Galle, and raise money for the various funds, attract tourism to the area again and bring in revenue to the place than watch us win a test match. There are much more important things at stake.

 

[Kev]

Oh of course we should try and win. Its sport, you play to win.

 

[aussie_ben91]

How's it a waste?It has given him a taste of what it's like to bowl at test match level and an idea as what's needed on flat wickets.It also shows he will have to work even harder to prize his way into the team.

Up and coming fast bowler who'll probably be the best bowler in England (Or is predicted to be) for years to come, would've been allot better for him to get a positive outlook on Test Cricket for debut and would've been allot better for his development especially after his already had some damaging in his development (Twenty20 World Cup). Gave him no chance to make a statement to World Cricket. Would've been ALLOT better to debut him in the English summer.

Should've played Anderson, would've made no difference in the match and you still could've saved Broad's debut to a better date.

 

[Dare]

this guy that replaced Fernando, was he the one that took 2 hat-tricks in a domestic one-day match.

 

[Sureshot]

I'd rather have them stage the game at Galle, and raise money for the various funds, attract tourism to the area again and bring in revenue to the place than watch us win a test match. There are much more important things at stake.

Staging a cricket match will do all that anyway, I wasn't suggesting moving the match to another venue, I was suggesting that it was incompetent that the ground wasn't ready.

 

[irottev]

Good to see they finally dumped Fernando.

England started well, but Sri Lanka are looking good now.