*Official* Pakistan in Sri Lanka

[Mahindinho]

Dilshan likes to be involved. I'm not sure it's to the benefit of the team, though. Won't be long term, anyway, plus it allows an extra "youngster" to be picked for this series.

I'm actually quite happy -- SL finally seem to have new players coming through at a decent rate.

 

[Woodster]

I understand the reasoning behind Dilshan's selection as keeper, naturally it gives you another position within the side for an extra batter or bowler, or in Matthews, all-rounder. However, I tend to agree that it will no doubt hinder his batting, an area I would like to see him focus fully on. His fielding is a miss as can be his part-time spin, but I would certainly want him as a middle order batsman first and foremost.

 

[Furball]

When was the last time Jayawardene failed to ton up at the SSC?

 

[Migara]

I understand the reasoning behind Dilshan's selection as keeper, naturally it gives you another position within the side for an extra batter or bowler, or in Matthews, all-rounder. However, I tend to agree that it will no doubt hinder his batting, an area I would like to see him focus fully on. His fielding is a miss as can be his part-time spin, but I would certainly want him as a middle order batsman first and foremost.

Well this was planned as cover for not having Murali. SL needed 5 bowlers when Murali was not there. To make matters easy, Prasanna Jayawardane injured his finger in practice and it was a toss between Dilshan and Sangakkara who' going to take the gloves. Dilshan apparently has put his hand up. When NZ tours here, we'll be able to see PJ keeping and Dilshan batting at #6

 

[Faisal1985]

Good bowling from Kaneria, i don't understand one thing......On one side, SL is playing more seamers because they know the pitch has moisture and it will seam. Regardless of the fact that Kaneria and Ajmal took 7 wickets between them, before the match began i was not a big fan of playing both specialist spinners, i was thinking more about Razzaq to be in the side since the wicket was seaming and our batting is collapsing as well. Anyways, totally the opposite happened.....spinners got the wickets and Razzaq was not played.........

 

[Migara]

SL in trouble. Pak 201/5, with a lead of 269. Side was unbalanced with four medium pacers. Kulasekara should have been giving way to Prasad whose pace would have been invaluable on this track.

Pakistan will win this one. 300+ on this pitch against Kaneria, Ajmal and Malik going to be very difficult

 

[TT Boy]

Never seen a test series before where the winning side has been dominated so much. Timely runs for Malik and Misbah, though Pak fans would have probably hoped they came to the party when it really count.

 

[Beleg]

Never seen a test series before where the winning side has been dominated so much. Timely runs for Malik and Misbah, though Pak fans would have probably hoped they came to the party when it really count.

yeah, you'd think pakistan'd be well on their way to a 3-0 result...


in any case, there isn't much between the two teams.

 

[Migara]

yeah, you'd think pakistan'd be well on their way to a 3-0 result... in any case, there isn't much between the two teams.

There will be plenty if Murali and Malinga were fit though. I would rate Murali + Malinga > Akthar + Asif, although latter were known to be weed powered.

 

[Beleg]

There will be plenty if Murali and Malinga were fit though. I would rate Murali + Malinga > Akthar + Asif, although latter were known to be weed powered.

mhmm, i wouldn't bet on that. obviously murali + malinga = seriously awesome but pakistan's just completely unpredictable. i mean who'd have thunk that malik'd be able to play today's innings after his batting during the last couple of games.

i'd expect pakistan to bungle it against anyone and win against anyone as well.

 

[Woodster]

Well this was planned as cover for not having Murali. SL needed 5 bowlers when Murali was not there. To make matters easy, Prasanna Jayawardane injured his finger in practice and it was a toss between Dilshan and Sangakkara who' going to take the gloves. Dilshan apparently has put his hand up. When NZ tours here, we'll be able to see PJ keeping and Dilshan batting at #6

Yes I appreciate with the absence of Murali, the comfort of an extra bowler would be needed, but would have preferred using the option of Kaushal Silva behind the stumps, having said that I've only heard promising things about him and never seen him play, so I'm probably not in the best position to offer selectorial opinions in this area.

What are the long term hopes for Angelo Mathews in terms of his potential batting position within the side ?

 

[Prince EWS]

Yes I appreciate with the absence of Murali, the comfort of an extra bowler would be needed, but would have preferred using the option of Kaushal Silva behind the stumps

Yeah, same, but the problem with that is the fact that they'd have to either drop Dilshan, which would have been ridiculously harsh given his recent improvements, or move one of their middle order players up to open. Sangakkara could open I'm sure but it'd be a big call to risk your best batsman like that.

What are the long term hopes for Angelo Mathews in terms of his potential batting position within the side ?

Yeah, should bat six long term with Silva at seven, or possibly the other way around.

 

[Migara]

Yes I appreciate with the absence of Murali, the comfort of an extra bowler would be needed, but would have preferred using the option of Kaushal Silva behind the stumps, having said that I've only heard promising things about him and never seen him play, so I'm probably not in the best position to offer selectorial opinions in this area.
What are the long term hopes for Angelo Mathews in terms of his potential batting position within the side ?

Picking Kaushal Silva would mean that there will be only four bowlers, if he's picked for Mathews' place (or PJ's place). Under the circumstances Mathews was the best bet. Mathews deserves #5/6 positions. Since te SL middle order is firing well, Mathew's chances will be few until Samaraweera retires or loses form.

 

[TT Boy]

Been impressed with Paranavitana, he looks like one to keep but Warnapura looks woefully out of his depth. Likes a slog, plays wildly across the line but doesn't have the ability to match some of the outrageous shots he likes to play.

Maybe time for Vandork to comeback… Limited but you know what you are going to get.

I would go with this for the New Zealand test series…

Para
Vandort
Kumar
Mahela
Samaraweera
Dilshan
Matthews
Kulasekara
Malinga
Mendis
Murali

Dilshan’s keeping has been sloppy, batting erratic but unlike Prasanna Jayawardene, he can bat.

Matthews to me doesn’t look good enough in either discipline to be in the side but they need a third seamer. If only Farveez Maharoof worked on his batting…

 

[Mahindinho]

Dilshan’s keeping has been sloppy, batting erratic but unlike Prasanna Jayawardene, he can bat.

So, say Dilshan averages 40 with the bat against Prasanna's 15 (hypothetically speaking).

That's 50 extra runs over two innings of a Test. It would only take a dropped catch and a reasonable amount of byes conceded before Dilshan drops into a virtual run deficit, if you see what I mean.

The fact that, with Prasanna in the side, you'd have Dilshan patrolling the infield, only strengthens the case for having a specialist WK.

Having said that, who gets dropped? From TT Boy's lineup, it'd have to be Vandort...but then who would partner Para? I wonder whether the reinvented Dilshan would be any good opening in Tests....





Nah, not really.

 

[Migara]

So, say Dilshan averages 40 with the bat against Prasanna's 15 (hypothetically speaking).

That's 50 extra runs over two innings of a Test. It would only take a dropped catch and a reasonable amount of byes conceded before Dilshan drops into a virtual run deficit, if you see what I mean.

The fact that, with Prasanna in the side, you'd have Dilshan patrolling the infield, only strengthens the case for having a specialist WK.

Having said that, who gets dropped? From TT Boy's lineup, it'd have to be Vandort...but then who would partner Para? I wonder whether the reinvented Dilshan would be any good opening in Tests....Nah, not really.

Prasanna Jayawardane averages 24.8 with the bat. So he's not rubbish with the bat. Since Kulasekara also improving with the bat it can cover for the deficincies of #7 batsman. The other seamers in pecking order are Thilan Thushara who is only a basher. Dammika Prasad is also handy with the bat, but once again has only one gear like Thushara. The real problem will be when SL fields three rabbits with bat, who unfortunately are the top bowlers of SL, Murali, Mendis and Malinga. When Vaas was around SL had a #8 averaging 25 with the bat. Thushara, Prasad and Kulasekara will be competing for a single spot. Now the batting looks real weak.

Problem with Warnapura is that although he fails regulary, he plays that blinder innings here and there. On current form he's the one to go. Sangakkara is the best to open, and Samaraweera should bat at #3.

The fully fit and firing SL lineup will look like
T. Paranavithana
K. Sangakkara
T. Samaraweera
M. Jayawardane
A. Matthews
T. Dilshan
P. Jayawardane
D. Prasad
N. Kulasekara / A. Mendis
L. Malinga / T. Tushara
M. Muralidaran

If SL can field both Prasad and Kulasekara, that will be a good batting line up.

 

[aussie]

Interesting team Migara, especially with Sangakkara opening. I sort of doubt he or the selectors would want to do that. Even if you are looking to get the best balance out of your side.

 

[aussie]

Matthews to me doesn’t look good enough in either discipline to be in the side but they need a third seamer. If only Farveez Maharoof worked on his batting…

I'd say Matthews is the batting-allrounder & Maharoof the bowling-allrounder. So Matthews would have more use in the test side ATM.

 

[TT Boy]

Be tough to axe Herath and go with Mendis against NZ but aside from one 20/20 game (when they didn't have a clue), they don't know how to combat Mendis.

Pak has had the benefit of facing Mendis over ten times(+), they should know how to play.

 

[TT Boy]

Prasanna Jayawardane averages 24.8 with the bat. So he's not rubbish with the bat. Since Kulasekara also improving with the bat it can cover for the deficincies of #7 batsman. The other seamers in pecking order are Thilan Thushara who is only a basher. Dammika Prasad is also handy with the bat, but once again has only one gear like Thushara. The real problem will be when SL fields three rabbits with bat, who unfortunately are the top bowlers of SL, Murali, Mendis and Malinga. When Vaas was around SL had a #8 averaging 25 with the bat. Thushara, Prasad and Kulasekara will be competing for a single spot. Now the batting looks real weak.

Problem with Warnapura is that although he fails regulary, he plays that blinder innings here and there. On current form he's the one to go. Sangakkara is the best to open, and Samaraweera should bat at #3.

The fully fit and firing SL lineup will look like
T. Paranavithana
K. Sangakkara
T. Samaraweera
M. Jayawardane
A. Matthews
T. Dilshan
P. Jayawardane
D. Prasad
N. Kulasekara / A. Mendis
L. Malinga / T. Tushara
M. Muralidaran

If SL can field both Prasad and Kulasekara, that will be a good batting line up.

That in an era where most keepers average over 30 and how much of that 24 is boosted by freebie runs against Bangladesh? Ramdin aside, he is the worst batter keeper going.

I'm interested in this Dammika Prasad. Apparently he is quick but we on Cricket Web were told the same thing about Thushara...