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

[morgieb]

I'd take England before SA purely because 4 quality bowlers > 2 guns and 2 mehs.

 

[akilana]

Why did Anderson not do well in SA? You'd think he'd love the conditions there. I mean, he didn't do that badly, averaged 34, but you'd expect him to have averaged sub-30 in those conditions.

Anderson hasn't done much away from home except for the last ashes. Averages around 39 or something. I don't understand how people can say there isn't a big gap between him and Steyn.

 

[akilana]

I'd take England before SA purely because 4 quality bowlers > 2 guns and 2 mehs.

Who are those four quality bowlers England have?

 

[Spark]

Anderson hasn't done much away from home except for the last ashes. Averages around 39 or something. I don't understand how people can say there isn't a big gap between him and Steyn.

In the last two years, Anderson hasn't played much away from home except for the last Ashes. His performances down here aren't to be sneezed at either.

 

[vcs]

I think all we are saying is, let's wait a bit longer and let him perform in a wide variety of conditions for another year or two, which is something that even Zaheer can claim over him to some extent. Steyn is undeniably ahead until Anderson does that.

 

[GotSpin]

I think all we are saying is, let's wait a bit longer and let him perform in a wide variety of conditions for another year or two, which is something that even Zaheer can claim over him to some extent. Steyn is undeniably ahead until Anderson does that.

Steyn is so far ahead. It's Anderson and Zaheer competing for a distant second place

 

[morgieb]

Who are those four quality bowlers England have?

Anderson, Broad, Tremlett, Swann.

Plus they have around 10 test-standard bowlers that are eligible for them.

 

[Blaze 18]

Steyn is so far ahead. It's Anderson and Zaheer competing for a distant second place

Agree.

 

[Bun]

hahahahahahahahahahahaha

great to see even moderators encouraging off topic discussions abt india's strenth int this thrd

 

[Howsie]

Anderson, Broad, Tremlett, Swann.

Surely taking the piss right? Stuart Broad a quality test bowler, no way.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

How enjoyable seeing about 5 pages discussing India and Bangladesh in the England v Sri Lanka match thread.

Lets hope the weather today lets us get enough play in so we can declare with a lead of over 100 and have a crack at them on day 5 and see if they can cope with the pressure.

 

[Howe_zat]

How enjoyable seeing about 5 pages discussing India and Bangladesh in the England v Sri Lanka match thread.

Lets hope the weather today lets us get enough play in so we can declare with a lead of over 100 and have a crack at them on day 5 and see if they can cope with the pressure.

Quite. I gave up after the eight millionth statsguru link.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Unless SL unearth some bowling talent quickly, I despair for their chances in the next few years

Mendis aside, that's a pretty average fc lineup and it's laughable to think that an ordinary trundler like Fernando is seen by some as a saviour

I don't view Fernando as a panacea for SL's seam woes, but I do think he has more about him than any of the incumbents. Maharof and Perera look the dictionary definition of trundlers. Lakmal has a bit more pace to him, but doesn't do anything with the ball.

& I also think Mendis has been largely found out. Yes, he seems to have three distinct deliveries: an off-spinner, a googly & his carrom ball, but they all turn from off to leg (for a right hander), so even if he's not being picked he can be played pretty safely off the pitch because he doesn't move the ball all that much.

 

[Howe_zat]

I don't view Fernando as a panacea for SL's seam woes, but I do think he has more about him than any of the incumbents. Maharof and Perera look the dictionary definition of trundlers. Lakmal has a bit more pace to him, but doesn't do anything with the ball.

& I also think Mendis has been largely found out. Yes, he seems to have three distinct deliveries: an off-spinner, a googly & his carrom ball, but they all turn from off to leg (for a right hander), so even if he's not being picked he can be played pretty safely off the pitch because he doesn't move the ball all that much.

His carrom ball doesn't turn. It's just a straight one.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

It was quite obvious yesterday that Trott and Cook don't read Mendis that well but had enough time to play him off the pitch as the ball doesn't turn much.

 

[GIMH]

Weather is abysmal. Won't be any play for a while.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Draw then, ah well we can just bat out the rest of the game and grind their bowlers into the dirt and keep ours fresh for next week.

 

[MW1304]

Weather is abysmal. Won't be any play for a while.

Not exactly living up to your title there.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

Its sunny in Penarth, i was gonna pop down but i might hold off for a few hours.

 

[Furball]

This was pre-2010 Anderson, who went AWOL every now and then. He became basically useless after the 3rd Ashes Test. I suspect something similar happened in a few of those Tests (the first and last in particular)

Took a grand total of 0 wickets in the 4th & 5th Ashes Tests and the 4th Test in SA. Was averaging 27 iirc in the SA series over the first 3 Tests.