***Official*** England in Sri Lanka

[JASON]

http://content-nz.cricinfo.com/ci/content/current/story/323235.html

http://content-nz.cricinfo.com/srilanka/content/current/story/323183.html

http://content-nz.cricinfo.com/ci/content/current/gallery/301945.html

Some great links from Cricinfo on Murali's career and previous World record holders for most wickets..

 

[Richard]

Perhaps more interestingly, Jayasuriya is apparently set to retire after this Test.

 

[JASON]

Hope you'll take this as constructive criticism, Richard, despite us not being particularly fond of each other, but your first sentence is 42 words long. You should be aiming for something less than 25 words to retain the readers' interest.

Hi Voltman, Is Tamaiti your idol or a relative ?

Why is he your Avatar ?

 

[Prince EWS]

Perhaps more interestingly, Jayasuriya is apparently set to retire after this Test.

I'm surprised he didn't do so before this test if that is indeed the case. He could have gone out with the one who was his opening partner more often than not, as well as allowing for a more clean break in between series rather than right in the middle of one.

 

[Richard]

Yeah, agree with both those, would have loved to see Atapattu and Jayasuriya retire together, after opening obviously (which they didn't in the Second Test in Hobart) and I always hate to see players retire mid-series. Apparently the paper reckons he was given the option of one last Test or being dropped.

 

[Prince EWS]

Off topic but could you hop on MSN when you get a chance please, Richard? Thanks.

 

[Richard]

Ihihiay dare say.

 

[pasag]

Congrats Murali, a champion bowler and I feel privileged in seeing a deserved record created that won't be broken for a long time.

 

[chaminda_00]

Jayasuriya got pushed, but he wanted a final Test at home and 100 Test wickets.

 

[Craig]

Surprised Jayasuriya didn't have 100 Test wickets all ready. Congratulations Muttiah Muralitharan, you Sri Lankans should be proud.

 

[Richard]

Vandort and Jayasuriya looking good here. *Cue one or both getting out*

 

[Craig]

Avatar suitable now?

 

[Richard]

Looks Aussome.

Worryingly, though, in the game Hoggard looks far from comfortable.

 

[wpdavid]

Looks Aussome.

Worryingly, though, in the game Hoggard looks far from comfortable.

And that is a worry. As is Jimmy's inability to locate a decent length.

What do we reckon - need to dismiss SL for under 150? Frankly, I wouldn't fancy us chasing over 100 in this game.

 

[JASON]

MS Panesar to be a Match winner for England...I bet he will get a 10 wicket match haul here ....

WRT the Lead needed ....if SL want to be certain they need to get 350 ...250 to 300 will put advantage England (target of 150-200) ....in a nail biter

300- 350 will put advantage SL (target 200-250) ..in a nail biter...

 

[pasag]

MS Panesar to be a Match winner for England...I bet he will get a 10 wicket match haul here ....

WRT the Lead needed ....if SL want to be certain they need to get 350 ...250 to 300 will put advantage England (target of 150-200) ....in a nail biter

300- 350 will put advantage SL (target 200-250) ..in a nail biter...

I think you're being a tad pessimistic there Jason, like wpdavid, I have no confidence in this England batting line-up at times like this.

 

[JASON]

I think you're being a tad pessimistic there Jason, like wpdavid, I have no confidence in this England batting line-up at times like this.

KP's injury may be a factor ...but 200 is easily gettable on Day 4 if two batsmen grind out like say Collingwood this morning and last evening...Even Murali is clueless when that happens...

 

[Prince EWS]

Wow, that is insane spin. I can't see England chasing more than about 130 successfully.

 

[Richard]

And that is a worry. As is Jimmy's inability to locate a decent length.

What do we reckon - need to dismiss SL for under 150? Frankly, I wouldn't fancy us chasing over 100 in this game.

Can't see there's any chance of that, and the pitch does seem to be getting easier at the moment. Whether it'll get harder again after that is anyone's guess, pitches are unpredictable sometimes. Wouldn't want to guess given how this game's gone so far.

Jeeys, Jayasuriya almost gone there, just over Bell.

 

[Richard]

Jeys, 6 fours in a row. What a way to move to your half-century. Only his 2nd in 2-and-a-half years.