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

[MW1304]

After that ton, Housego has me sold.

 

[Migara]

Going just as expected.

Only chance we have is to win the toss and bat regardless of wicket. 500+ and scoreboard pressure is the only chance (if minor) this side can take 20 wickets.

Miagara, whats the news on Mathews? Is he going to fit to be added to the test side?

Has flown to Australia. Doesn't look good at all.

 

[Migara]

I knew Vaas was still available for ODIs at the World Cup but I thought he had retired from Tests.

He is retired from tests. But if he has to make a comeback for a series, this will be it.

 

[mono]

how was lakmal?

 

[Howe_zat]

Day 1 highlights:

Middlesex County Cricket Club*Official Website, Latest Results, MCCC News & Merchandise UK

..."Dan Housego had no problem reading the mystery spinner"

As for Lakmal, it's hard to see, but his wicket was just an ordinary short one that Strauss mis-pulled to the man on the boundary. I doubt he caused many problems at his pace.

 

[Howe_zat]

After that ton, Housego has me sold.

Does your avatar change if we win the first test?

 

[social]

Was talking about Housego tbh. Strauss scoring runs against them in a tour match isn't too big a concern, as I said, but prank-batsmen/kids rollocking on against them on the first morning is a bit of a worry.

The bowling just looks flat out crap on paper regardless though. I know Kula has his detractors but he's performed bloody well at times during his Test career and played on his fair share of roads to boot and still has a passable Test record. Him being left out of the touring party is needlessly harsh IMO.

Agreed

Checked out the scorecard and thought "is that really the best SL has to offer"

 

[Howe_zat]

One thing I found odd on the highlights reel was the commentator implying that Fernando being away has severely weakened the attack.

Is he really the answer?

 

[superkingdave]

According to the Sunday Times this morning Chamdimal was meant to be keeping in this game but forgot his gloves so Jayawardene ended up keeping

 

[Spark]

Hmmm, going at a fair clip are the 'Lankans. 142 added already for no loss, at well over 5 an over.

 

[Howe_zat]

Dilshan needed this. Well played.

You have to say it'd be a cause for concern if this attack didn't take a bit of grief.

 

[TT Boy]

Enjoyed Steven Finn's commentary stint. Seems like a nice guy.

 

[Bun]

played dilshan.

pitch looks a road from the scoreboard.

 

[MW1304]

Does your avatar change if we win the first test?

Yeah it would do, I guess. I don't post that much any more though, with exams and stuff, so its not very noticeable.

Enjoyed Steven Finn's commentary stint. Seems like a nice guy.

When was he commentating?

 

[Howe_zat]

played dilshan.

pitch looks a road from the scoreboard.

Probably, Uxbridge usually is. More to the point is that it was a second-string attack from a second-division county side.

Very little chance of a result here unless Middlesex have a shocker of a collapse. It'd be pretty demoralising for the touring bowlers if Strauss can get another score tomorrow.

 

[vcs]

Middx 122/7 (37.3 ov, JA Simpson 15*, HMRKB Herath 1/7) - Lunch | Live Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

SL are doing pretty well at the moment. Didn't lose a wicket in their innings.

 

[Cevno]

SL going for the win now -

Middlesex 360/8 & 161

Sri Lankans 309/2d & 107/3 (25.0 ov)

Sri Lankans require another 106 runs with 7 wickets remaining

 

[Borges]

Ah, I see that Sri Lanka have won the game.

Can't read too much from a tour match, Middlesex are not one of the stronger counties - in fact they are positioned just about the middle of the county ladder, their attack was not the first choice one, and all that. Still and all, It must be a morale boosting win for the Sri Lankans after a chastening first day in the field. And some just reward for an enterprising declaration.

 

[Migara]

SL will be full strength for match against Lions. Perera, Fernando and Welagedara will be the fast men to play and Randiv the spinner as it seems.

SL are debating on 7-4 or 6-5 team composition. Since PJ adds little with the bat, Chandimal may take the gloves, and allow 5 bowlers to play. Randiv, Herath and Perera are quite capable with the bat, but inform Kulasekara would have been a better choice in a 6-5 team.

 

[superkingdave]

The forecast looks good for the first test for Sri Lanka. We are supposed to be heading in to a heat wave from the weekend so probably plenty of opportunity for the SL bats to rack up a score. Can see a draw first test