**Official** Sri Lanka in England / Scotland - 2011

[morgieb]

Migara, what do you know about Seekkuge Prassana?

Also, I'm sincerely hoping we don't opt for Morgan at #6.

What's the other options?

Think England are a shoe-in, Sri Lanka really don't have the quicks to challenge here.

 

[TT Boy]

Will Malinga play the tests? If not, then that's farcical (though entirely understandable) and Sri Lanka have remotely no chance.

 

[vcs]

I would not expect Malinga to be that effective in England anyway... English batsmen are very good players of pace, and reverse swing is not that effective on English grounds and conditions (Simon Jones notwithstanding).

 

[morgieb]

I would not expect Malinga to be that effective in England anyway... English batsmen are very good players of pace, and reverse swing is not that effective on English grounds and conditions (Simon Jones notwithstanding).

Still a **** load better than the other options, though.

 

[Migara]

Migara, has Vaas announced his international retirement in any format?

He has, but he's still the best pace man in the country!

 

[Migara]

Will Malinga play the tests? If not, then that's farcical (though entirely understandable) and Sri Lanka have remotely no chance.

No he want. He has indicated that he's going to retire from test matches.

 

[Migara]

I would not expect Malinga to be that effective in England anyway... English batsmen are very good players of pace, and reverse swing is not that effective on English grounds and conditions (Simon Jones notwithstanding).

Murray mints for the rescue

 

[Jarquis]

He's an unorthodox legspinner, bowls at pace, and gets a bit of deviation off the pitch. Uses a different grip. Has been knocking on the door, but is about 5th in the pecking order in spinners. Knowing SL selectors, they would go for the reliable option than the gamble, and hence will select Randiv or Herath.

Should give him a run, really want to see him bowl. Has taken wickets by the bucket load this season.

 

[Jarquis]

I hope they do. Hildreth = Road Warrior.

Hildreth being good on one type of surface is infinitely better than Morgan being awful on all.

 

[Furball]

Vaas hasn't officially retired from limited overs stuff unless I've missed something has he?

 

[Migara]

Should give him a run, really want to see him bowl. Has taken wickets by the bucket load this season.

His stats in Premier league is bit mis informative, because he plays in Tier B team. Randiv and S'nanayake have taken lot more wickets than him.

 

[Cruxdude]

I like this video

Useful video that one.

 

[Isura]

Useful video that one.

You learn something every day

 

[hang on]

will rashid get a shot this summer? or is he still too wet behind the ears, according to the powers that be!?

 

[Migara]

Unleashing Rashid against SL would not be the best idea in the world. He should have no place in the team this year because touring teams and SL and IND. There are few A tours with SL and IND , he could first see how he go against younger SC batsmen. Swann would be enough as a spinner.

 

[hang on]

i sort of see your point, but then there will never be a time for him. if it's an ashes series, then too important or too much pressure. if it is in new zealand, then the wickets are not conducive to spin, etc. 'excuses' are trotted out.

he has been around for long enough. he has toured with the A team, surely he has the nous and the talent to look after himself and not be traumatized for life if a lankan or indian batsman were to marmalize him a tad!

 

[Migara]

I see no problems him in unleashing against a side which are not known or play spin well or in a spin friendly condition. But on plumb wickets, unleashing him against a set MJ and Sam or set SRT and Sehwag is too much for a young bowler.

 

[hang on]

tendulkar does have a habit of getting out to debuting bowlers, though! might be worth a shout in the first test.

 

[keeper]

will rashid get a shot this summer? or is he still too wet behind the ears, according to the powers that be!?

I think there's 2 issues.

The first is what the selectors think of him. Not sure if they have said anything publicly but there is the odd whisper that they have their doubts. Whether that is about his ability of experience who knows?

The second part is where he would be played. In a 4 man attack he would have to replace Swann which would take some doing unless the latter has a catastrophic dip in form or fitness that coincides with Rashid regularly ripping through county batting line-ups. He may have to wait until Swann is done.

I'd like to think that the selectors have a plan for him and he's working towards their objectives for him. He has, though, to move from promising work in progress to regular match-winner at some point. He only has to look at the figures of Mushtaq Ahmed to see the damage an authentic international class leggie can wreak in county cricket.

 

[vcs]

Good spinners thrive on English wickets (see the records of Murali, Warne and Swann in England). If he is in good form, he could be a surprise X-factor for England even if the opposition are known to be good players of spin.

EDIT : If he can bat a bit, and if Morgan struggles in the first few Tests of the summer, England could go in with 5 bowlers and Prior coming in at 6. Risky ploy, but their attack would look pretty special and they have a good tail anyway, so as to not feel the impact of one less batsman that much.