***Official*** England in Sri Lanka

[Richard]

Outfield not looking good at present, been 2 occasions in 4 overs where the ball's hit something and changed direction resulting in an apparent misfield.

 

[Richard]

Vaas must've beaten Vaughan's outside-edge 4 times already today.

 

[chaminda_00]

Outfield not looking good at present, been 2 occasions in 4 overs where the ball's hit something and changed direction resulting in an apparent misfield.

If Muburak was fielding his just dire and looking for any excuse.

 

[Richard]

Typical Fernando start with 6 off 2 deliveries...

 

[Richard]

Even by his normal standards this is rubbish.

How often does a batsman outscore another 54 to 9?

 

[chalky]

Vaughan taking Fernando to the cleaners bowling tripe ATM.

 

[Athlai]

Cook off to a flying start I see.

 

[Richard]

For a very even, easy-paced pitch, the bowlers other than Dilhara Fernando are doing OK.

Speaking of Fernandos... Nick Knight: "good to have you back in the commentary-team, Ranjit". Hmm...........

 

[Richard]

Finally, Cook moves off 9! And promptly virtually doubles his score. Final score in that Vaughan-domino stand was 63-9.

Vaas conceding 10 more than he should have thanks to poor fielding already.

 

[JASON]

Vaughan as I had said before the Test has made the right decision in batting first...SSC is a decent batting strip and England off to a Flier or at least Vaughan is...300 plus by end of Day 1 ....SL will struggle here...already there are ominous signs....perhaps Bandara should've been included....instead of Fernando...

 

[Pratters]

perhaps Bandara should've been included....instead of Fernando...

You have been a HUGE backer of Dilhara Fernando despite him bowling absolutely tripe for a while. Perhaps you want to admit you were wrong regarding Fernando?

 

[Richard]

If this Test isn't a 600-plays-600 draw it'll mean both sides have batted abysmally.

This is the most ridiculously flat pitch I've seen since... Brisbane and Hobart a few weeks ago.

 

[JASON]

You have been a HUGE backer of Dilhara Fernando despite him bowling absolutely tripe for a while. Perhaps you want to admit you were wrong regarding Fernando?

In Australia I backed him because between "wicketless" Maharoof and 'Runs leaking' Fernando I preferred the latter....If you look up my selection before this Test, I thought Sujeewa De Silva should've been picked instead...but perhaps Bandara and not Dilhara ...given these are available now and these 2 options were unavailable in Australia.

 

[JASON]

If this Test isn't a 600-plays-600 draw it'll mean both sides have batted abysmally.

This is the most ridiculously flat pitch I've seen since... Brisbane and Hobart a few weeks ago.

Perhaps England to break the record score In Test Cricket SL made v India...

 

[JASON]

For a very even, easy-paced pitch, the bowlers other than Dilhara Fernando are doing OK.

Speaking of Fernandos... Nick Knight: "good to have you back in the commentary-team, Ranjit". Hmm...........

There are a thousands of Fernandos in Sri Lanka....not to Mention Brazil, Portugal, Spain etc...Don't take them on .....

 

[Pratters]

In Australia I backed him because between "wicketless" Maharoof and 'Runs leaking' Fernando I preferred the latter

How is Maharoof just run leaking though? He averages 39 with the ball when you exclude games versus Bangladesh.

 

[JASON]

How is Maharoof just run leaking though? He averages 39 with the ball when you exclude games versus Bangladesh.

Thats Fernando(Run Leaker) ...Maharoof 24 wickets in 20 Tests...that's why I call him Wicketless Maharoof If you exclude Bangers , I think it may drop to 1 wicket every second Test...

 

[Pratters]

Thats Fernando(Run Leaker) ...Maharoof 24 wickets in 20 Tests...that's why I call him Wicketless Maharoof If you exclude Bangers , I think it may drop to 1 wicket every second Test...

Yeah I meant Fernando sorry.

How is Fernando just run leaking. Fernando is run leaking and wicket less as well given he averages 39. Maharoof meanwhile is in the wicket less category and scores over Maharoof in the run leaking one. So versus a team like Australia, between the two, I would have chosen Maharoof to play the stock bowler role. I know you don't agree but whatever.

 

[JASON]

Yeah I meant Fernando sorry.

How is Fernando just run leaking. Fernando is run leaking and wicket less as well given he averages 39. Maharoof meanwhile is in the wicket less category and scores over Maharoof in the run leaking one. So versus a team like Australia, between the two, I would have chosen Maharoof to play the stock bowler role. I know you don't agree but whatever.

Live stats - (including this Test)
Fernando 30 Tests 83 Test wickets....thats still 60 wickets more than Maharoof in 6 more Tests...this is the nature of the beast ...he leaks runs but averages 2-3 wickets a Test...2 -3 more than the wicketless Roofers...who is essentially an ODI bowler...unless something changes drastically

 

[Athlai]

JASON the fact is in Australia, Maharoof looked better as both a stock bowler and a wicket taker till he injured himself. He was very unlucky not to come out with a few wickets (as was Malinga and Vaas). Though prior to that series I think your spot on, but it does look as if (prior to injury) Maharoof was bowling superbly.