England v Sri Lanka, Test Series (June 2014)

[MUFC1987]

I figured we'd be better with threads for each Test, as they seem to get a lot of discussion. Starts tomorrow.

Squads:

England
Sri Lanka

Cook has confirmed that Ballance is set to bat at three for England. Good decision, or is it simply Bell and/or Root passing up the responsibility to the new boy?

 

[SpitfiresKent]

I thought Ali would bat at 3 as that's where he bats for Worcestershire and Ballance bats down in the middle order for Yorkshire.

 

[Collingwood50]

Cook
Robson
Ali
Bell
Balance
Root
Prior
Jordan
Broad
Plunkett
Anderson

 

[War]

No diss to SRI, but I expect nothing more than SRI crumbling to the pace & swing of ENGs all pace attack in helpful conditions.

So the sooner this series is over & India arrives so that ENG can get a proper test - the better.

 

[SpitfiresKent]

I think we'll win the series but I don't think it'll be as easy as what people think it will be.

 

[lion100lion]

With no Malinga, it will be tough for Srilanka..

 

[IceAgeComing]

Jesus Christ this over rate is slow.

They really need to do something about these: they kill the rhythm of all forms of the game. Like ban the captain for a game if they are significantly below the over rate without a good reason or something...

 

[Aalay]

No diss to SRI, but I expect nothing more than SRI crumbling to the pace & swing of ENGs all pace attack in helpful conditions.

So the sooner this series is over & India arrives so that ENG can get a proper test - the better.

I think you are underestimating Sri Lanka. They will give England a proper fight. If you saw Sri Lanka vs Pakistan test series earlier this year in UAE, Sri Lankan fast bowlers were very impressive. The conditions will help them even more here so they are likely to perform well against this relatively inexperienced batting line-up of England. Their batting might get exposed against Anderson and Broad but if one of Sanga or Mahela can bat through, than they might just pull out a win. I think this Sri Lanka's best chance to win a series in England.

I am really concerned about India tough. Sri Lanka started the tour with T20 and ODI's to get used to the conditions. We are starting the tour with test series and I am not too positive about India's chances in the test series.

 

[abhi_jacko]

I think you are underestimating Sri Lanka. They will give England a proper fight. If you saw Sri Lanka vs Pakistan test series earlier this year in UAE, Sri Lankan fast bowlers were very impressive. The conditions will help them even more here so they are likely to perform well against this relatively inexperienced batting line-up of England. Their batting might get exposed against Anderson and Broad but if one of Sanga or Mahela can bat through, than they might just pull out a win. I think this Sri Lanka's best chance to win a series in England.

I am really concerned about India tough. Sri Lanka started the tour with T20 and ODI's to get used to the conditions. We are starting the tour with test series and I am not too positive about India's chances in the test series.

True, very true.

SL are no pushover. They have a very efficient unit. I would be more worried about India because there is literally no foreign experience in that squad barring MSD who has been pretty dismal overseas.

 

[SpitfiresKent]

Joe Root showing his talent there. Great knock from him especially as there have been some doubts over his place in the Test team which I could never quite get my head around. This young lad scored a century in the West Indies with a broken thumb for crying out loud!

Nice to see Prior getting some runs and also Moeen with a solid start to his Test career (I wonder how his bowling goes..) We could get a real big score here if both Root and Prior knuckle down again tomorrow.

 

[IceAgeComing]

Is good to see Prior in the runs - I always felt like he was the right choice if England were planning to do what they are doing: they need experience in the side, something that they are pretty short of right now...

It'll be interesting to see Plunkett's return after seven years as well!

 

[Nas]

Sri Lanka need an early breakthrough in Day 2. Things are going at England's pace at the moment.

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

Is good to see Prior in the runs - I always felt like he was the right choice if England were planning to do what they are doing: they need experience in the side, something that they are pretty short of right now...

It'll be interesting to see Plunkett's return after seven years as well!

I agree, prior was undroppable as he was an experienced player that's undeniably world class and still has a few years ahead of him. couldn't understand people wanting him out so they could get a younger guy in, Haddin had reduced england to rubble through the ashes series and he's 4 years older. why not start looking at a new guy when they actually need one and have some more players firmly established.

 

[ferg512]

It'll be interesting to see Plunkett's return after seven years as well!

Yeah, I must say I'm hanging out to watch him. There was an article on cricinfo a couple of days ago that was all hype so it will be interesting see if he can live up to it. Apparently hes bowling 90mph consistently and is the quickest bowler in county cricket which I did not know.

 

[barmyarmy]

Prior definitely got lucky with the lbw shout but he took the chance well. Hard to judge how good today was really considering the SL attack is pretty average but well done Ali and Root in particular today.

I still suspect this is a pretty typical Lord's deck and good for batting so we'll have to see how our 4 seamers get on first innings and if the lack of specialist spinner will hurt us second innings.