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

[GIMH]

His batting's deteriorated significantly over the last 18 months or so. When he hit 85 in SA, that was his 4th half century in not many tests. But he's not come close since then, and there's been a heck of a lot of single figure scores. It's hard to believe that some folks were saying he should bat ahead of Broad.

TBF, most Tests since then he's come in with us already having a good score on the board and has just gone at it. Not had too many chances to play a counter-attacking innings which is where he excels.

That being said, he hasn't come to the party when the opportunity to counter-attack has been there.

 

[Spark]

Long-off to a #11 on nought.

Really.

 

[Furball]

TBF, most Tests since then he's come in with us already having a good score on the board and has just gone at it. Not had too many chances to play a counter-attacking innings which is where he excels.

That being said, he hasn't come to the party when the opportunity to counter-attack has been there.

Tbf his batting at Sydney* was hilarious, treated the Aussie attack like they were 12 yearold net bowlers and utterly smashed them when they'd already received a thorough kicking.

*might have been Melbourne.

 

[SamSawnoff]

TBF, most Tests since then he's come in with us already having a good score on the board and has just gone at it. Not had too many chances to play a counter-attacking innings which is where he excels.

That being said, he hasn't come to the party when the opportunity to counter-attack has been there.

He isn't needed for his batting, his bowling more than holds his spot in the team. Broad on the other hand, needs his batting as well. And I'm sure he knows it, there must be a big difference in their attitudes.

 

[Spark]

Someone tell me what Finn is trying to achieve?

 

[BoyBrumby]

Someone tell me what Finn is trying to achieve?

Supporting Tremmers as he approaches his ton, obvz.

 

[TopCat]

Someone tell me what Finn is trying to achieve?

Protecting his n.o. stats?

 

[SamSawnoff]

Someone tell me what Finn is trying to achieve?

Trying to last as long as possible? They have raced along this morning and Strauss has experienced enough Lords' roads to know the more runs the better.

 

[Furball]

He isn't needed for his batting, his bowling more than holds his spot in the team. Broad on the other hand, needs his batting as well. And I'm sure he knows it, there must be a big difference in their attitudes.

Both of them are needed for their batting, one of England's enormous strengths is their batting depth.

Swann's problem more often than not has been a failure to engage his brain, I'm all for a lower-order batsman coming out and trying to smash bowling everywhere, but don't come out and try and switch hit spinners when you can just mow across the line and hit into the stands at midwicket.

 

[SamSawnoff]

Both of them are needed for their batting, one of England's enormous strengths is their batting depth.

Swann's problem more often than not has been a failure to engage his brain, I'm all for a lower-order batsman coming out and trying to smash bowling everywhere, but don't come out and try and switch hit spinners when you can just mow across the line and hit into the stands at midwicket.

Swann sometimes bowls a lot of overs per innings, sits in second slip and he is batting at 9. I think he does enough for the team, no-one expects Strauss to get out there and turn his arm over.

 

[Spark]

Through the legs

 

[hazsa19]

I love how Finn and Strauss opt for the exact opposite to what the commentators beg for

 

[BoyBrumby]

When did SL's fielding regress to "fat bloke falling down the stairs" level of funniness?

It's just awful, awful stuff. Why would you dive with your feet rather than your arms?

 

[Spark]

There we go! Knew he could play some shots.

 

[TopCat]

Wow! Finn's going beserk!

 

[BoyBrumby]

Wow. Rank full bunger, but nice shot for a #11.

Incidentally, the tallest ever batting partnership in tests? 6' 8" & 6' 7.5".

 

[.matt]

Finally hitting some runs. Broad and Prior did real well earlier but these lads batting slow before seemed a bit redudnant.

 

[superkingdave]

Lol at all the people moaning about a few defensive shots. Its lunch on day 2 of the test and we've scored at aout 6 an over all morning.

 

[hazsa19]

Did anyone else hear Nasser saying that KP had asked Beefy for some advice?

Apparently Botham offered, 'try batting left handed', and walked off.

Thoughts?

 

[TopCat]

Finn bowled by Herath.

England 486 all out.

Superb performance from being 22-3 and an excellent session for England, adding 144 runs. Nice 40 minute rest for the bowlers then come out all guns blazing.

England will be much better than SL in the fiels, who looked lacklustre and amateurish this morning.

Well played England.