Sri Lanka in England/Netherlands

[a massive zebra]

I won't moan but those statistics aren't that reliable, Giles is way down the list.

1. Derek Underwood - 297
2. Jim Laker - 193
3. Tony Lock - 174
4. Maurice Tate - 155
5. Fred Titmus - 153
6. John Embury - 147
7. Hedley Verity - 144
8. Ashley Giles - 140

Yes he's close to some of the others, but he's definetly not one of the best spinners to play for England.

Maurice Tate did not bowl spin for England, only at the very start of his county career for Sussex.

Even Warne doesn't spin a massive amount at times yet he is the leading wicket taker.

Warne is only the leading wicket taker because he has played more matches and bowled more balls than any other bowler. His strike rate and wickets per match really aren't that amazing in comparison to a number of other bowlers with far lesser reputations.

 

[James219]

Harmison hasn't been recalled to the England squad for the 2nd Test, as the selectors feel he needs more match practice, and want to avoid any sort of situation where they may aggravate the injury through rushing him back. That's not great news, as England's attack could do with some extra firepower in the form of another 'hit-the-deck' option to unsettle the sub-continental batsman, but it also allows the younger bowlers in Plunkett and Mahmood some more valuable experience at Test level. Lewis has also been included in the twelve man squad. Here's the article.

 

[Sureshot]

LOL Sangakara bowled

http://nz.cricinfo.com/db/NEW/LIVE/frames/SL_SUSSEX_18-21MAY2006.html

Malinga took 5 for, 4 were ducks. He should be included because his action takes some getting used to and he can get you out pretty quickly through surprise. And the young fellow I picked got a 130, well thanks for getting that this game and not the last one lol. Looks like I made a good selection but it didn't pay off. He has talent. Tharanga another big score, nice stuff.

Really don't read oo much into it.

Sussex 2nd XI effectively.

 

[evertonfan]

Gutted that Harmy won't be playin at Edgebaston! Mind you though, we should still beat the Lankans provided we don't drop 10 more catches!

 

[BigCrickNan]

Gutted that Harmy won't be playin at Edgebaston! Mind you though, we should still beat the Lankans provided we don't drop 10 more catches!

Yep, but i suppose he's not 100% fit yet. Looks like Jon Lewis might get his debut in front of Plunkett.

 

[puddleduck]

I don't know about that. I think they will persist with Plunkett. He bowled very well after his first wayward spell, and was very unlucky not to pick up a few more wickets. He beat the bat at least 20 times, as well as having Strauss drop a catch off his bowling.

They do like having someone who can bat at 8, and he is reasonably decent in the field too, so ticks all the boxes in regards to Fletchers wants.

 

[evertonfan]

If Fletcher is going to bring in Lewis, then I hope he replaces Mahmood. Plunkett bowled superbly for the most part of the Lords test, and was unlucky not to get a few more wickets, whereas Mahmood didn't bowl to well and he got a few 'gimme' wickets.

 

[Yorkshire_No1]

If Fletcher is going to bring in Lewis, then I hope he replaces Mahmood. Plunkett bowled superbly for the most part of the Lords test, and was unlucky not to get a few more wickets, whereas Mahmood didn't bowl to well and he got a few 'gimme' wickets.

I agree with you 100% there. Plunkett was quality and was so so so close to taking wickets. Lady luck wasn't smiling on him

 

[Stephen Bailey]

If either of them go, it should be Mahmood. He showed he has the ability to move a ball at pace, late. However, you can't be as wayward as he was against anybody in test cricket.

 

[Englishandproud]

Benn away for a couple of days, got home and my tickets had arrived for Thursday

 

[Sureshot]

This squad isn't finalised, should Edgbaston recieve sun till Thursday, I would like Loudon to play ahead of Plunkett.

Then have

Hoggard
Mahmood
Panesar

At 9,10 and 11 respectively.

Infact Loudon could bat 7 and Jones 8.

 

[irottev]

Being a neutral, I think Plunkett was causing more problems and was bowling better overall. He started badly but Mahmood finished badly. The wicket count doesn't agree with me but he seemed that little bit quicker and more accurate.

 

[puddleduck]

I really don't think that will happen Sureshot. Loudon certainly has some potential, but he is a long way from being picked for his spin bowling. He bowls far too many pressure relieving deliveries for International Cricket, and for the Sri Lankans is likely to be cannon-fodder. The management got a good look at him during the Pakistan tour, and didn't take him to India, so they clearly don't think he is ready quite yet.

I think his best bet of playing for England is in a couple of years time, and only if by then he has either developed his batting to a level where he warrants selection through it, or has developed into a threatening spin bowler with good control that can bat a bit. At the moment he is caught somewhere in between In my opinion.

I think it is highly unlikely we will see England playing two spin bowlers in England for a long time, especially with the current crop of fast bowlers.

 

[irottev]

And with the quality of the spinners. To play two you really want warne and macgill combinations.

 

[aussie1st]

Well England have retained the same squad as last time so no Loudon. I would say the list below is the way England will start in the match.

England squad 1 Marcus Trescothick, 2 Andrew Strauss, 3 Alastair Cook, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Andrew Flintoff (capt), 7 Geraint Jones (wk), 8 Liam Plunkett, 9 Matthew Hoggard, 10 Sajid Mahmood, 11 Monty Panesar, 12 Jon Lewis.

http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/engvsl/content/current/story/248035.html