***Official*** England in Sri Lanka

[Richard]

It all depends on who England have. If we are short on players they will get called up early.

I know, and I hate that sort of thing happening. It really, really frustrates me. There's almost always someone with a better case. Heck, someone who, to date, is a fairly conclusively proven failure like Key is a far better option than a Denly or (even worse) Godleman. You should never, ever pick someone on nothing more than 3\4 of a good season.

 

[JASON]

Murali out of first 3 ODIs and quite possibly all 5 ODIs.

IMO that's good for him and for SL (so that Lokuaraachchi alias "Wakaroochi" can have an extended run in ODIs)

 

[Richard]

Maybe.

I'm still disappointed though TBH. Facing Lanka with no Murali just doesn't feel right.

 

[Perm]

http://content-nz.cricinfo.com/slveng/engine/current/match/291214.html

Bell tons up with 131*, Cook gets a nicely compiled 66 and Pietersen slaughters a 50.

 

[Prince EWS]

http://content-nz.cricinfo.com/slveng/engine/current/match/291214.html

Bell tons up with 131*, Cook gets a nicely compiled 66 and Pietersen slaughters a 50.

Mustard gets a slow start and then doesn't push on. When will the selectors wake up and get this dunce out of the team?

 

[Perm]

Mustard gets a slow start and then doesn't push on. When will the selectors wake up and get this dunce out of the team?

Haha, was thinking that when I browsed the scorecard.

 

[Richard]

http://content-nz.cricinfo.com/slveng/engine/current/match/291214.html

Bell tons up with 131*, Cook gets a nicely compiled 66 and Pietersen slaughters a 50.

Good form to see Cook both in the side and scoring. Funny how Mustard starts like the next Prior.

Good bowling from Kulasekura by the looks of things.

 

[Perm]

Good form to see Cook both in the side and scoring. Funny how Mustard starts like the next Prior.

Good bowling from Kulasekura by the looks of things.

It's only one innings though, not really enough to judge him on properly. I mean, if Pietersen was new to the scene then people would be salivating over his innings, which wouldn't be fair.

 

[Richard]

Haha, it's just one warm-up game. There's nothing of any great note, it's just kinda amusing to see the first Mustard innings go exactly like I'm expecting more of his than not to.

Good to see Pietersen starting in the runs, though, forgot to mention the previous post.

 

[Nishan]

It's only one innings though, not really enough to judge him on properly. I mean, if Pietersen was new to the scene then people would be salivating over his innings, which wouldn't be fair.

Kulaskera figures look good but once again proves he is not a wicket taking bowler, one has to wonder why Kandamby and Bandara were persisted with and Kulasekra and silva didnt bowl 10 overs, it maybe a warm up but still strange.

 

[chaminda_00]

Kulaskera figures look good but once again proves he is not a wicket taking bowler, one has to wonder why Kandamby and Bandara were persisted with and Kulasekra and silva didnt bowl 10 overs, it maybe a warm up but still strange.

There was also a couple other all rounders that didn't get much of bowl. Strange tactics to say the least. Disappointing to not see Kushal Silva get the gloves. But looking at the side its basically Sri Lanka's 3rd XI.

 

[Richard]

Good form to see Cook both in the side and scoring. Funny how Mustard starts like the next Prior.

Good bowling from Kulasekura by the looks of things.

Haha, it's just one warm-up game. There's nothing of any great note, it's just kinda amusing to see the first Mustard innings go exactly like I'm expecting more of his than not to.

Good to see Pietersen starting in the runs, though, forgot to mention the previous post.

Just noticed it's 14-a-side... pretty much totally irrelevant then really.

 

[Perm]

Just noticed it's 14-a-side... pretty much totally irrelevant then really.

Urgh, games like this really **** me TBH.

 

[Spitfires_Fan]

More encouraging signs from Bell, hopefully he can carry on his excellent form from the series vs India. I was never a fan of him in limited overs cricket, but he's been proving me very wrong of late.

 

[Richard]

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. Was never remotely convinced by Bell in ODIs until recently, but he's gone better than I ever thought he would in the last series.

 

[GIMH]

So *looks* like Bell will continue his recent good ODI form. Feel quite positive about our ODI side, though I worry about first-change without Flintoff, whose bowling of late has been so so good, especially when you consider the pain he must be in.

As for the Test squad which was being discussed a little high up, time to put Ramps back in the squad for mine. I'll probably get slated for it, but his performances in the last two years have been too good to ignore IMO

 

[Pup Clarke]

As for the Test squad which was being discussed a little high up, time to put Ramps back in the squad for mine. I'll probably get slated for it, but his performances in the last two years have been too good to ignore IMO

I absolutely 100% agree with you tbh, I couldn't give a stuff how old he is and he should come into the team for Collingwood.

Cook
Strauss
Vaughan
Pietersen
Ramprakash
Bell

looks an awesome top 6 imo.

 

[chaminda_00]

Nice to see Kapu score some runs, only problem is that he needs to score 200s in OD match to get selected over Muburak.

 

[GIMH]

I absolutely 100% agree with you tbh, I couldn't give a stuff how old he is and he should come into the team for Collingwood.

Cook
Strauss
Vaughan
Pietersen
Ramprakash
Bell

looks an awesome top 6 imo.

Dunno about dropping Colly, who I am a big fan of, but Ramps should at least travel...

 

[Perm]

Is there any need to unsettle a perfectly good middle order though? Pietersen has his place secured, as does Vaughan as a captain. Bell and Collingwood have both been in the runs and made a couple of scores against India, none of them really deserve to be dropped, particularly with Collingwood bowling more in Tests nowadays.