*Official* Quarter Final 4 - Sri Lanka v England

[Jono]

Hahaha Dilshan's bat went absolutely flying there

That would have taken a short midwicket's head off.

 

[Jono]

Thought this game was lost after SL put a Pakistan type fielding display, and didn't expect our openers to do so well. Thought 230 was a good score tbh.

Also must give Tharanga credit, I constantly bash him as shot less hack that only smashes minnows but he really really stepped up today. His coming down the track and smashing Swann in the early overs, set a good positive tone for the chase.

Yeah this has been Tharanga's best innings ever IMO.

And as I type this he hits an AMAZING lofted straight drive. Gorgeous!

 

[Edged&Taken]

**** Earth Hour comin up in 15 mins . will miss the last few overs and the presentations

 

[wpdavid]

I think I can say I was a tad wrong

Anyway, hope this means that the drastic changes to our ODI side can be made, which most England supporters on here have wanted for a while.

Could be a more intersting discussion than taking turns to point out the obvious about this particular game tbh there's been so many changes of personnel over the last 15 years with no obvious benefit to the side, I don't hold out much hope for an improvement, but here goes nothing.

The first hard thing is finding people who should definitely stay. Trott, Morgan & Swann obviously. Maybe Bopara & Bresnan.

The even harder thing is picking replacements for the rest.

 

[wpdavid]

On cue the "It's been a long winter, and em tired..." speech by the English commentators

The fact that England have been utterly outclassed today and probably would have been whatever their winter schedule isn't doesn't alter the the fact that their buidup to the WC was nonsesne and completely counter-productive.

 

[slowfinger]

**** Earth Hour comin up in 15 mins . will miss the last few overs and the presentations

Dammit I forgot.

 

[Jono]

Persist with Shezhad I reckon. There is talent there.

 

[four_or_six]

Could be a more intersting discussion than taking turns to point out the obvious about this particular game tbh there's been so many changes of personnel over the last 15 years with no obvious benefit to the side, I don't hold out much hope for an improvement, but here goes nothing.

The first hard thing is finding people who should definitely stay. Trott, Morgan & Swann obviously. Maybe Bopara & Bresnan.

The even harder thing is picking replacements for the rest.

Trott, Morgan, Swann, Bresnan, Bell for sure... Broad too of course, KP (maybe, who knows?). I think I'd stay with Bopara, since Collingwood seems to be gone, and we need the overs.

That's eight players to stay then, add in a keeper (Davies preferably), and it's just a case of how to deal with the extra five or so that complete the squad. I'd like to see a concerted effort to find an all-rounder, the bits and pieces bowling is not helpful at all, and another batsman who plays at a higher strike rate more naturally.

 

[smash84]

lol @ england.....200 up and not a single wicket

 

[grecian]

Trott, Morgan, Swann, Bresnan, Bell for sure... Broad too of course, KP (maybe, who knows?). I think I'd stay with Bopara, since Collingwood seems to be gone, and we need the overs.

That's eight players to stay then, add in a keeper (Davies preferably), and it's just a case of how to deal with the extra five or so that complete the squad. I'd like to see a concerted effort to find an all-rounder, the bits and pieces bowling is not helpful at all, and another batsman who plays at a higher strike rate more naturally.

Bell to go for me, doesn't rotate the strike enough, doesn't go on in innings. average at best, need to be striving for more IMHO

 

[fredfertang]

If our build up to the World Cup always involves winning a Test series against Australia then I'll choose crashing out at the hands of Sri Lanka in the quarters every time

 

[slowfinger]

well... good fight.

 

[Jono]

Well batted Dilshan. Rode his luck, but that's sometimes how you have to play.

 

[Howe_zat]

Ah, well. tbh I didn't give them much of a chance to begin with in this tournament, and we knew Sri Lanka were the better side before this game.

A shame they couldn't put up a fight, but really I'm just looking forward to the home summer - just grateful that we got some really good games in in the mean time.

Sri Lanka really are an excellent side. Great strokeplayers in the top order and some fantastically exciting bowlers. They've played as well as anyone all tournament. This innings has been near faultless.

(edit: Dilshan, what a ton, showed them how to play on this track.)

England really look like they should just go home. Get some rest, get your frigging first team out of the hospital - and give these guys a tonking in the Tests in May.

 

[Teja.]

It's very annoying that England for the past hour or so don't look like they care at all.

 

[Lostman]

lol Tharanga and Dilshan have put quite a few massive partnerships.
Must have some interesting conversations in the middle

 

[silentstriker]

Bound to happen with the sooner or later with this attack.

 

[Uppercut]

I think I can say I was a tad wrong

Anyway, hope this means that the drastic changes to our ODI side can be made, which most England supporters on here have wanted for a while.

The ODI side is having drastic changes made to it constantly, and it's never much good. Bad players are the much bigger problem for England than bad selectors. Dropping Davies for Prior was a disgrace, it beggars belief that they're actually paid a salary to make decisions like that, but at the same time, Davies is hardly Gilchrist. It wouldn't have made much difference.

 

[Jono]

LOL!

Dilshan accidentally hitting a boundary. Didn't even want to do it

His face after he smashed it through cover point was hilarious.

Sorry but that's embarrassing for England.

 

[four_or_six]

Haha Swanny