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

[S Chanderpaul]

Lankans 100/6 and Dernbach on a hat-trick.

Supposedly looking all at sea against pace!

 

[Howe_zat]

Is Dernbach actually starting to be good?

Worrying.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Is Dernbach actually starting to be good?

Worrying.

Sri Lanka's version of the Doherty trick imo.

 

[superkingdave]

Is Dernbach actually starting to be good?

Worrying.

I agree its worrying, maybe he has improved his accuracy though. Used to him going for 6/7 an over in OD cricket and 4 an over in FC cricket but this year he has been going at 4.1 and 2.6.

 

[Spark]

6/100! Ouch. Welcome to England, I guess.

 

[Jarquis]

Where were all the Ravi haters before this game?
I get he's been hugely outscored by Morgan in this game but the fact is the last time both of them played Tests they looked god awful against quality pace. Morgan hardly inspired confidence at the start of his innings when he made a century so I don't quite get why people think he's the man for a crisis.
I get he's done it in a ODI or 8 but he's not even managed it for Middlesex in his particularly average county career.

I'm no huge fan of Ravi by any means but maintain Morgan is not the long term answer. Nor's Ravi tbph so it's just a case of waiting for Samit to lose weight or Hildreth/Taylor getting a gig.

 

[Howe_zat]

Where were all the Ravi haters before this game?
I get he's been hugely outscored by Morgan in this game but the fact is the last time both of them played Tests they looked god awful against quality pace. Morgan hardly inspired confidence at the start of his innings when he made a century so I don't quite get why people think he's the man for a crisis.
I get he's done it in a ODI or 8 but he's not even managed it for Middlesex in his particularly average county career.

I'm no huge fan of Ravi by any means but maintain Morgan is not the long term answer. Nor's Ravi tbph so it's just a case of waiting for Samit to lose weight or Hildreth/Taylor getting a gig.

I share your concerns long-term but it bugs me that he'd be dropped now. Not to mention that people are saying Ravi was nailed on for the space after not even a good season but just a few good matches.

And I don't think Morgan being England's best ODI batsman is to be dismissed either, it shows he has come good against international-standard bowling.

 

[NasserFan207]

Where were all the Ravi haters before this game?
I get he's been hugely outscored by Morgan in this game but the fact is the last time both of them played Tests they looked god awful against quality pace. Morgan hardly inspired confidence at the start of his innings when he made a century so I don't quite get why people think he's the man for a crisis.
I get he's done it in a ODI or 8 but he's not even managed it for Middlesex in his particularly average county career.

I'm no huge fan of Ravi by any means but maintain Morgan is not the long term answer. Nor's Ravi tbph so it's just a case of waiting for Samit to lose weight or Hildreth/Taylor getting a gig.

Your exaggerating. And there's nothing to suggest he won't improve.

Besides, SL don't HAVE any quality pace (apart from Malinga). Tis a moot point.

Morgan is also better equipped mentally for test cricket than Bopara, IMO.

 

[Jarquis]

Your exaggerating. And there's nothing to suggest he won't improve.

Besides, SL don't HAVE any quality pace (apart from Malinga). Tis a moot point.

Morgan is also better equipped mentally for test cricket than Bopara, IMO.

Never said he won't improve. I just don't think the Test side is the place for him to learn, especially when there are other better qualified candidates who have outscored him at all levels of First Class cricket.

Meh, just don't get why everyone is hating on Ravi so much. Difference between him and Morgan is pretty negligible IMO other than the fact Ravi bowls. A lot of people were against Morgan until Ravi got touted as the alternative.

Your point about SL having no quality pacers is what I'm worried about. I'd back anyone of Ravi, Morgan, Taylor, Hildreth or Patel to make runs in this series but if Morgan does then we can't drop him for the India series where I'd probably back all of the other candidates to do better. Definitely the latter 3 anyway.

 

[NasserFan207]

Never said he won't improve. I just don't think the Test side is the place for him to learn, especially when there are other better qualified candidates who have outscored him at all levels of First Class cricket.

Meh, just don't get why everyone is hating on Ravi so much. Difference between him and Morgan is pretty negligible IMO other than the fact Ravi bowls. A lot of people were against Morgan until Ravi got touted as the alternative.

Your point about SL having no quality pacers is what I'm worried about. I'd back anyone of Ravi, Morgan, Taylor, Hildreth or Patel to make runs in this series but if Morgan does then we can't drop him for the India series where I'd probably back all of the other candidates to do better. Definitely the latter 3 anyway.

You could be right, but this match was built up as a 'decider' in terms of who would take Collingwood's spot for the SL series, and I'd say Morgs has come out on top pretty clearly imo, simple as that.

Anyway Its not like I hate Ravi. I just don't trust him in international cricket.

 

[Jacknife]

There isn't much in between the 2, but the overriding thing was that Bopara bowled, which in a 4 man attack is extremely useful. If they went with Morgan, Trott and KP would have to turn their arms over more.
Personally I'd like Taylor to be the man they brought in, they may feel it's a bit soon for him and a few bad performances may set him back but he's a similar age to Finn and if he's good enough get him in.

 

[tooextracool]

Think when it comes to selecting players from FC cricket, there should be 2 prerequisites that need to be met before anyone can be selected.

a) recent success in county cricket.
b) some semblance of success for the Lions team

Ravi has certainly not checked part b), his record playing for Auckland is dodgy and both times he made the international level it was as close to anything as a rabbit caught in the headlights. I'd have at least some confidence in him had he managed to successful transfer his form from the List A game to the International level and yet he hasn't done that. For a player that doesn't ooze talent or have any special ability about him, he's been given more opportunity than any player would normally get if they were to battle for a place in a top 2 test side.

I don't dislike Bopara yet, but I suspect that if he gets picked and cashes in against Sri Lanka, I might very well detest him because quite frankly I just don't think he is very talented.

 

[Howe_zat]

Sri Lanka all out for 266 in the end, with 5 for Dernbach. Likely to follow on tomorrow.

Randiv it seems put in a good fight with the bat, seeing as he bowled so badly yesterday. I wonder if that could get him into the side as a #7, with Chandimal taking the gloves? Randiv may not be bowling well but he's contributing more than PJ right now.

 

[tooextracool]

Personally I'd like Taylor to be the man they brought in, they may feel it's a bit soon for him and a few bad performances may set him back but he's a similar age to Finn and if he's good enough get him in.

Just had a look at Taylor's record and I cant hide the fact that I am impressed. Certainly am a bit surprised that he isn't talked about in England circles as much as he probably should be. Definitely if someone like Finn can get a look in.....

 

[BoyBrumby]

Having thought about it, the only way I can make sense of Ravi being reported as having the inside track to the test XI by the gentlemen of the fourth estate is that his seamers are rather more fondly regarded by Dusty & co than by me and we need a 5th bowling option. Personally I don't think Trott's mediums are that much worse than his or Colly's. Trott swings it less, but seams it more, so it's about even.

That said, if bowling ability is to play any part, Sammy is the go for my quid. His SLA stuff patently a cut above any other test-possibles' efforts. Also gives us the nice option of complimentary slow bowlers who turn it both ways.

 

[Cevno]

James Taylor looks a pretty quality prospect from what i have seen.

 

[Jacknife]

Having thought about it, the only way I can make sense of Ravi being reported as having the inside track to the test XI by the gentlemen of the fourth estate is that his seamers are rather more fondly regarded by Dusty & co than by me and we need a 5th bowling option. Personally I don't think Trott's mediums are that much worse than his or Colly's. Trott swings it less, but seams it more, so it's about even.

That said, if bowling ability is to play any part, Sammy is the go for my quid. His SLA stuff patently a cut above any other test-possibles' efforts. Also gives us the nice option of complimentary slow bowlers who turn it both ways.

As a horses for courses bet, Samit would be ideal for Cardiff but after all that's been said about his weight will they go back on it. From what they were just saying he's made the fitness level but only just, at the very minimum allowed.
It is handy to have a 5th bowler option but Colly only averaged 5 over a innings and got a wicket every 20 overs, so if need be between KP and Trott, that could easily be filled.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

That said, if bowling ability is to play any part, Sammy is the go for my quid. His SLA stuff patently a cut above any other test-possibles' efforts. Also gives us the nice option of complimentary slow bowlers who turn it both ways.

Also averages slightly less than Matthew Hoggard with the bat in the past two FC seasons.

 

[marc71178]

Where were all the Ravi haters before this game?

Still here, although my view is more "he's not good enough and county runs alone won't change that" than a hater.

 

[FBU]

Bopara might be able to bowl some overs but it's his fielding I would be worried about. Also running out his batting partner.

Taylor is the right person but I doubt he will be picked.