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

[GIMH]

What's the score? I could check on my phone but I would then have to stop posting. Nobody wants that.

 

[Howe_zat]

What's the score? I could check on my phone but I would then have to stop posting. Nobody wants that.

333/4. Mogs 116* from 145, Patel 81* from 109

Partnership 170. Last 10 overs 60/0.

Turning into a hammering.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

Cricinfo's twitter says "Superb hundred from Morgan. Unlikely to be enough to earn him a Test place, though."

Surely that's rubbish? He was already the most likely, and now he's a cert isn't he?

The thought is that because Bopara didn't go to the IPL and put his place above cash that management are favouring him. Absolute bollocks if true. The form man should play.

 

[Jarquis]

Cricinfo's twitter says "Superb hundred from Morgan. Unlikely to be enough to earn him a Test place, though."

Surely that's rubbish? He was already the most likely, and now he's a cert isn't he?

I heard the squad was supposedly already decided before today's game and that Bopara was the one given the nod.

 

[GIMH]

333/4. Mogs 116* from 145, Patel 81* from 109

Partnership 170. Last 10 overs 60/0.

Turning into a hammering.

I had to look out the window for snow just then

 

[Howe_zat]

Cricinfo's twitter says "Superb hundred from Morgan. Unlikely to be enough to earn him a Test place, though."

Surely that's rubbish? He was already the most likely, and now he's a cert isn't he?

I would hope so. A lot of journos seem to think that Bopara's batting the CC this season has nicked the spot for him, but it wasn't that brilliant - he was at the heart of Essex's batting woes for the first couple of weeks and then whined about the balls being used in the second division.

Plus, I doubt Flower is the type to change his team based on that stuff anyway. Morgan is the incumbent and was probably sent off to the IPL with a guarantee of making the side.

 

[NasserFan207]

The thought is that because Bopara didn't go to the IPL and put his place above cash that management are favouring him. Absolute bollocks if true. The form man should play.

Is this speculation or is there any article/info to support it

 

[Jacknife]

The thought is that because Bopara didn't go to the IPL and put his place above cash that management are favouring him. Absolute bollocks if true. The form man should play.

I don't think it was just that, he still had to score runs, which he has. I think that's why people put him ahead of Morgan and added to that Morgan looked out of form in the IPL.

 

[four_or_six]

I heard the squad was supposedly already decided before today's game and that Bopara was the one given the nod.

I hope not... I do applaud him for not going to the IPL, but in a crisis I'd think Morgan would be more likely to score runs.

 

[GIMH]

Cricinfo are reliable to an extent but they don't generally get the XI spot on a week out, unless we all do. I wouldn't read anything into it.

 

[Jacknife]

Cricinfo are reliable to an extent but they don't generally get the XI spot on a week out, unless we all do. I wouldn't read anything into it.

No, neither would I.

 

[Howe_zat]

Cricinfo are reliable to an extent but they don't generally get the XI spot on a week out, unless we all do. I wouldn't read anything into it.

Cricinfo's "probable" sides have a knack of being extremely improbable. I remember for the 1st ODI against Sri Lanka, they predicted Australia to have Steve Smith at #8, Doherty at #9 and only two quicks.

New Zealand's team for the current Test against India was supposed to feature a batting allrounder at #10, batting behind Jeetan Patel but opening the bowling as part of a two-man pace attack. Even in the days where Franklin actually was a bowler, he would never bat behind Patel.

And in the end Patel didn't even play. Neither did Franklin.

They also had Watling in the team.

Yeah.

Also, 200 partnership up, and it's come at over 5 an over.

 

[GIMH]

If Bopara played this series, I could see him doing well. Would prefer Morgan against Zaheer and India in general just because it's a huge series.

 

[vcs]

I love watching Morgan bat so I hope they play him against India. At least there'd be some consolation if he scores big.

 

[Jacknife]

Patel brings up his 100, well done Samit.

 

[S Chanderpaul]

100 up for Samit now!

Not bad for a big lad!

 

[Howe_zat]

Ton up for Samit.

Dilshan brings himself back on and Morgan hits him for six first ball. No intention of playing for stumps, then.

 

[Jacknife]

Morgs keeps going 150 up.

 

[Jacknife]

Stumps, Lions 394/4, great effort by the lads today.

 

[Isura]

Not looking good when our front line bowlers all go for 4+ rpo.