England v Sri Lanka, Test Series (June 2014)

[SpitfiresKent]

Great knock from Ballance yesterday, the way he accelerated to his 100 was amazing. It's got 'Draw' written all over it unless we get 3/4 early wickets.

 

[War]

Great knock from Ballance yesterday, the way he accelerated to his 100 was amazing. It's got 'Draw' written all over it unless we get 3/4 early wickets.

Not impossible an ENG win i think, I'm sure many recall what happened the last time Sri Lanka toured here in 2011 during the 1st test @ Cardiff.

 

[barmyarmy]

So how early will Cook take his slips out and go defensive?

 

[ParkedTheBus]

If things continue like this, a Sri Lankan victory is well and truly possible.

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

they've probably batted too slow for that, 400ish as a last day target is always frustrating. I don't blame teams for wanting to play safe but batting particularly slowly gives them limited time to turn it around.

250 in 40 overs is doable... ish, but they could have easily been 50 runs more up with a positive approach.

 

[ParkedTheBus]

I guess they still remember what happened in Cardiff '11, hence this negative approach.

 

[barmyarmy]

The negative approach is invited by the fact the target is too big for the overs.
Draw written all over it.

 

[IceAgeComing]

I still think that 320 was a little low with the pitch; and you aren't going to declare with a man 90* in his second test match at Lords.

Still a chance for this game, though.

 

[El Loco]

Great catch from Prior! Not sure why Herath walked straight away though? Tensest test match I've seen for a long time.

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Bat before pad! Oen more ball. This over the Germany match any day haha.

 

[ste_mc_efc]

To be fair that was a shocking decision from the umpire. perfect example for why DRS is great.

 

[abhi_jacko]

To be fair that was a shocking decision from the umpire. perfect example for why DRS is great.

True. Also a reflection on how DRS in this form is not perfect at all - if SL did not have reviews left, they would have been robbed off a hard fought draw due to umpiring blunder and DRS wouldn't be able to do anything

2 reviews only per team makes no sense

 

[ste_mc_efc]

True. Also a reflection on how DRS in this form is not perfect at all - if SL did not have reviews left, they would have been robbed off a hard fought draw due to umpiring blunder and DRS wouldn't be able to do anything

2 reviews only per team makes no sense

It makes a lot of sense given DRS's mandate is to remove howlers from the game and not to ensure every decision is perfect. Don't waste your reviews speculatively and then a bad decision won't cost you.

The only issue is if reviews made in genuine good faith and not speculatively at all end in an Umpire's call whether it's far to take them away. I think not, but if there was no downside to reviewing then every LBW/nick would be reviewed and you may as well take every decisions upstairs and not have the teams making reviews.

 

[barmyarmy]

I want Cook gone. He is the reason why we've once again failed to win a match that we should have done.

 

[ste_mc_efc]

Who would you make captain?

Distinct lack of credible candidates.

besides with the coaching setup as it is the party line would remain the same in relation to the declarations.

 

[War]

I want Cook gone. He is the reason why we've once again failed to win a match that we should have done.

Not a fan of Cook's captaincy either, but I thought his declaration was ok really.