*Official* Quarter Final 4 - Sri Lanka v England

[smash84]

is 229 par score?

 

[BoyBrumby]

Murali's destroyed us over the years and seems to give our batsmen all sorts of trouble so given they'll be playing NZ if they progress I think theres no doubt Murali will keep his place.

As for the England innings today, I think the poor batting powerplay could be the determining factor. Had they managed 40-45 in those overs and reached a target closer to 250 I'd consider them marginal favourites. 230's an even game IMO and greatly depends on the start of the SL innings.

No questioning his class, but he was literally bowling on fumes at the end. Could barely hobble to the crease.

No exaggeartion to say he was the Lankan's fourth best slow bowler on the day despite the two wickets.

 

[Uppercut]

England slight favourites in my view.

SL should just see off Swan and accept 0-30 off him.

There's no way Swann will get through ten overs without bowling a wicket-taking delivery on this deck, especially if Sri Lanka let him dictate terms. Batting defensively doesn't mean you can't get out.

It's still the right thing to do though, the rest of the attack should leak enough runs to make up for it. A lot depends on whether Swann can force wickets.

 

[Migara]

Disgraceful fielding from SL. Mathews spilling a chance, should have a photo of it framed. Might not spill another one for a long time.

SL has to play sensibly. DIlshan has to play a long innings and has to farm the strike off Swann. MJ should come before Sanga of Dilshan falls, because he'll find it easy to play Swann and is a better spin player too. Sanga and Mathews has to take on faster bowlers.

 

[Teja.]

SL slight favs to win, for mine.

229 is 15-20 runs short after where they were before Morgan got out.

 

[grecian]

is 229 par score?

I think it's well above par, I really do, but we'll have to wait and see. Hope Bopara and Wright can bowl as well as they did against the Windies, could be very useful if they do.

 

[Uppercut]

I make Sri Lanka big favourites here. This looks to me a lot like a classic Sri Lankan deck- looks flat when Sri Lankans bat on it, looks awkward when anyone else bats on it. Especially England. England's death batting always makes the pitch look worse than it is.

 

[Migara]

No exaggeartion to say he was the Lankan's fourth best slow bowler on the day despite the two wickets.

Woudn't have been the case if Morgan was taken by the fielders. Anyway Murali has to go, and it's bleeding obvious. Get in Randiv and carry on with the game.

 

[Borges]

There's no way Swann will get through ten overs without bowling a wicket-taking delivery on this deck, especially if Sri Lanka let him dictate terms. Batting defensively doesn't mean you can't get out.

It's still the right thing to do though, the rest of the attack should leak enough runs to make up for it. A lot depends on whether Swann can force wickets.

I think the best way to play Swann is to attack him. Allow him to dictate terms like the Saffers did, and he is a constant threat, playing on the mind as much as in the air and off the pitch. Take the attack to him, show him that you are not afraid, and he is a different bowler. Much like Mendis in that respect.

 

[Jono]

There's no way Swann will get through ten overs without bowling a wicket-taking delivery on this deck, especially if Sri Lanka let him dictate terms. Batting defensively doesn't mean you can't get out.

It's still the right thing to do though, the rest of the attack should leak enough runs to make up for it. A lot depends on whether Swann can force wickets.

I make Sri Lanka big favourites here. This looks to me a lot like a classic Sri Lankan deck- looks flat when Sri Lankans bat on it, looks awkward when anyone else bats on it. Especially England. England's death batting always makes the pitch look worse than it is.

???

 

[smash84]

SL slight favs to win, for mine.

229 is 15-20 runs short after where they were before Morgan got out.

definitely agree with the England score part.

I think it's well above par, I really do, but we'll have to wait and see. Hope Bopara and Wright can bowl as well as they did against the Windies, could be very useful if they do.

well above par. Not so sure about that.

 

[Uppercut]

???

What's wrong with that? Swann only gets to bowl 1/5 of the overs and the rest of the attack is at least 14 times worse at bowling than he is. 140 on this pitch.

 

[Prad100w]

With the kind of fighting spirit England has shown, it does not look like a walk in the park for SL. Predicting a close finish. England batted poorly in the final 10 overs. Should have reached 250.

 

[Howe_zat]

As much as this is likely a par total or just under, I daresay England don't have the bowling to get through the Sri Lankan top four. If they get set they can make 230 look very, very straightforward.

Edit: Swann gets lifted for six almost without effort. Sigh. we're screwed.

 

[Howe_zat]

With the kind of fighting spirit England has shown, it does not look like a walk in the park for SL. Predicting a close finish. England batted poorly in the final 10 overs. Should have reached 250.

God, this must be what it's like to be an Ireland fan.

 

[ankitj]

Oh yes Tharanga. That's how it's done, SA.

 

[Uppercut]

As much as this is likely a par total or just under, I daresay England don't have the bowling to get through the Sri Lankan top four. If they get set they can make 230 look very, very straightforward.

Samaraweera too.

 

[grecian]

I maybe wrong here.

Don't like Swann with the new ball, doesn't spin it much, and lacks his normal control. A waste.

 

[Jono]

What's wrong with that? Swann only gets to bowl 1/5 of the overs and the rest of the attack is at least 14 times worse at bowling than he is. 140 on this pitch.

I was confused how you said Swann will definitely get a wicket on a deck like this, but then also said it's a pitch that SL will make look flat.

Are you saying only good spinners will be useful on this pitch? Because Dilshan and Herath aren't that good and they were impossible to get away at times.

 

[Uppercut]

I was confused how you said Swann will definitely get a wicket on a deck like this, but then also said it's a pitch that SL will make look flat.

Are you saying only good spinners will be useful on this pitch? Because Dilshan and Herath aren't that good and they were impossible to get away at times.

Not impossible. Jayawardene and Sangakkara would have got them away. Batting against mediocre spinners on these decks is basically exactly what these guys do.