***Official*** England in Sri Lanka

[pup11]

Lankans have a definite problem when it comes to power-hitting at the end of the innings, every team in international cricket has power hitters in their lower-middle order to gather as many runs as possible in the last few overs.
Lokuracaachchi and Kapugedera have the ability to up the ante in the death overs and i think atleast one of them needs to be selected.

 

[Woodster]

Lankans have a definite problem when it comes to power-hitting at the end of the innings, every team in international cricket has power hitters in their lower-middle order to gather as many runs as possible in the last few overs.
Lokuracaachchi and Kapugedera have the ability to up the ante in the death overs and i think atleast one of them needs to be selected.

I think this problem has affected England recently also. There has been a distinct lack of boundary hitters, not just at the end, but whenever Pietersen and Flintoff have not been at the crease, thus increasing the pressure on those two to get the run rate somewhere near respectable. In the later ODI's though, I feel that with a few of the additions that we are getting a more balanced side, combining nurdlers, with strokeplayers and big hitters.
I still think Alastair Cook has a big role to play in the ODI side.

 

[gettingbetter]

I think this problem has affected England recently also. There has been a distinct lack of boundary hitters, not just at the end, but whenever Pietersen and Flintoff have not been at the crease, thus increasing the pressure on those two to get the run rate somewhere near respectable. In the later ODI's though, I feel that with a few of the additions that we are getting a more balanced side, combining nurdlers, with strokeplayers and big hitters.
I still think Alastair Cook has a big role to play in the ODI side.

I don't think England have such a problem anymore. With the inclusin of Shah and Dimi, their lower order hitting looks stronger now.

Sorry, you arleady mentioned that.

 

[chaminda_00]

Lankans have a definite problem when it comes to power-hitting at the end of the innings, every team in international cricket has power hitters in their lower-middle order to gather as many runs as possible in the last few overs.
Lokuracaachchi and Kapugedera have the ability to up the ante in the death overs and i think atleast one of them needs to be selected.

The think is we have had that problem forever but we still seem to be able to win matches. I think we negate by have better death bowlers then most sides.

At the end of the day Weijkoon, Perera, Kapugedera and Lokuarachchi are very hit and miss when it comes to lower order hitting. Basically one in every 5-6 games those guys are likely to come off. Where as Dilshan a bit more consistent, even if itd just over a run a ball.

I hate Muburak, but in some ways i rather Perera, Maharoof, Lokuarachchi and Kapugedera to develop their games for Sri Lanka A. Then come the next WC they can leap frog Muburak. Similar to how Chamara Silva did to Arnold and Atapattu.

 

[Richard]

Yup from the time i saw Kapugedra at the WACA he had the presence that he belonged at that level unlike Mubarak. However he needs more runs i dont know where his next innings will be cant see him playing against England.

Kapugedera was picked way too young. He's going to end-up better than Mubarak pretty much beyond question, as he's clearly got more talent in his hands than Mubarak has in his entire body, but it's a shame he got brought in when he did because at 18 and 19 only very few will ever make international-class players.

 

[Richard]

My Mustard comment was very much satirical.

Even the ph34r smiley doesn't save you these days...

 

[Richard]

Lankans have a definite problem when it comes to power-hitting at the end of the innings, every team in international cricket has power hitters in their lower-middle order to gather as many runs as possible in the last few overs.
Lokuracaachchi and Kapugedera have the ability to up the ante in the death overs and i think atleast one of them needs to be selected.

Aaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhhh! Nooooooo, Sameer, you're turning into Arjun!

 

[Richard]

I can't see Either Tharanga or Chamara Silva getting dropped. It should be Mubarak who should get the boot but selection policy dictates that he gets automatic entry into SL Team , so I would seriously consider dropping Dilshan even though he contributes with his fielding and bowling a few overs , he really has not made a significant contribution with the bat where it mattered , ie in winning an ODI....Kapugedera has that potential...

At least for the First 3 ODIs -

Jayasuriya (consider Warnapura in the latter ODIs)
Tharanga
Sangakkara
Mahela
Chamara Silva
Kapugedera
Dilshan or Mubarak
Maharoof (or Lokuaraachchi)
Vaas
Dilhara
Malinga

If they seriously pick Mubarak ahead of Dilshan I WILL be forced to kill someone.

 

[Richard]

I don't think England have such a problem anymore. With the inclusin of Shah and Dimi, their lower order hitting looks stronger now.

Sorry, you arleady mentioned that.

You say that as if Shah and Mascarenhas were younger than Flintoff?

 

[Perm]

Aaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhhh! Nooooooo, Sameer, you're turning into Arjun!

No, he's not. Power hitters are needed in the lower order, it's vital if your team wants to maximise the runs they get during the last ten overs or so. You can make up for not having any by having batsman who are especially adept at running between the wickets, picking up tight singles and turning ones into twos. Of course, players that can do both of these things consistently (Mike Hussey springs to mind, as does Yuvraj Singh) are invaluable.

 

[Richard]

No, he's not. Power hitters are needed in the lower order, it's vital if your team wants to maximise the runs they get during the last ten overs or so.

Haha, of course they are. I've thought the thing about Lankans lacking them once or twice myself (one of the reasons I have some amount of time for Maharoof) but that post just sounded so, so Arjun-esque. And Arjun is usually a pretty inimitable fellow TBH.

 

[gettingbetter]

You say that as if Shah and Mascarenhas were younger than Flintoff?

I can't see where I mentioned age at all.

 

[wpdavid]

Swann in for Panesar, which will please a lot of CWers. Broad not being given the new ball, which perhaps won't. Bopara in for Fred.

 

[Perm]

Woeful. Two games of international cricket on and I can't watch either. Not happy TBH.

 

[pasag]

240/250 will be a good score here, looks pretty windy. Looks like there are 4 people at the ground as well. England bowling well so far.

 

[Perm]

The inclusion of Mubarak at #7 is really baffling. The guy struggles to pick up the pace in ODI cricket, doesn't bowl and has a terrible record in List A cricket, suggesting he's never been any good.

Gun at Twenty20 though.

 

[gettingbetter]

I assume him being a gun 20/20 player is his, how should we say...party trick for being in the ODI team.

 

[The_Bunny]

240/250 will be a good score here, looks pretty windy. Looks like there are 4 people at the ground as well. England bowling well so far.

Will need more than that imo

 

[Perm]

Jayasuriya starting to open his arms now, England could be in trouble if he gets going.

 

[Perm]

I assume him being a gun 20/20 player is his, how should we say...party trick for being in the ODI team.

That's probably why he got the nod. Still, he hasn't done anything in his ODI career so far to suggest he could do the job required at #7.