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

[Daemon]

For some reason I see Mendis running through the English batting lineup. Wonder if he'll even play.

 

[Prince EWS]

For some reason I see Mendis running through the English batting lineup. Wonder if he'll even play.

I'd probably play him (ahead of Herath), but the only way the selectors will do so is if they keep Maharoof or Perera at seven so it's probably not worth it. He's definitely been figured out a little and just generally isn't bowling nearly as well as he was at the start of his career, but if Sri Lanka are going to win, they do need something special. If he plays he'll more than likely take 1/150 but he has the greatest chance of absolutely running through England out of all the bowlers on tour and I think Sri Lanka need to be honest with themselves and realise they're not going to win any other way. Herath may look better when both bowlers are at their worst, or even at their median, but at their best Mendis could win them the game and it's just not going to happen with Herath.

I really think Sri Lanka need to play an extra batsman though, and I don't see that happening given they're 1-0 down and the last match was a draw anyway (even if mainly due to weather).

 

[Lostman]

My team

Piranha, Kaushal Silva, Sanga, MJ, Sam, Chandimal, PJ, Randiv, F'do, Welegedara, Lakmal

Reckon Thiramine instead of Silva, if Dilshan is unavailable. Other than that I have the same side. Also hoping Mahela is captain and not Sanga.

IPL1&2- 8 innings-156 runs, and 0 fifties. Way to ****ing show up

 

[Uppercut]

They showed a super slow-mo of the revolutions on a ball from Herath and one from Swann during the test and it really made Herath look absolutely hopeless in comparison.

I'm starting to think KP might well justify his place in the side purely for the purpose of keeping useless left-arm slow bowlers in the opposition's starting XI.

 

[Himannv]

Dont see why people outside of Sri Lanka rate Mendis so highly. Hardly even our third best spinner.

 

[keeper]

This guy Senanayke sounds intriguing. Time for SL selectors to be bold maybe.

Makes me think though. Who's the tallest really good spinner from Test history?

 

[superkingdave]

This guy Senanayke sounds intriguing. Time for SL selectors to be bold maybe.

Makes me think though. Who's the tallest really good spinner from Test history?

Lance Gibbs?

 

[Himannv]

Kumble?

 

[keeper]

Great shout on Gibbs at 6' 2". Didn't realise Kumble was only an inch shorter than that. Guess such bowlers gain on bounce and maybe lose on some aspects of flight.

Round our way the teenage spin bowling talent is fairly tall for some reason.

 

[Howe_zat]

I've just realised the tour game against Essex starts tomorrow, that was quick. Wonder what bowling attack Sri Lanka will try out.

Edit - wait, no, it starts on Friday. Still pretty sharpish.

 

[BoyBrumby]

He doesn't waste good form, like say, Strauss. Graeme Smith is another one who comes to mind, makes the most of his patches of good form.

I don't think Strauss is a good example to use. Prior to taking on the captaincy he had one of the best conversion rates of any player. He's changed his game up recently, which has meant he's got out after a quick (by his previous standards) 50.

And now he's out of form, which is obviously a completely separate issue.

I think latter period Strauss is a good shout, actually. His 50-100 conversion rate used to be third behind only Bradman & Headley of players with 2000 test runs, but of the last 11 times he's passed 50 the second innings at The Gabba is his only 100.

Suggests concentration issues and a chap not cashing in on his good nick to me.

 

[GIMH]

Hmm, I'd have to look at the list of 50s but I would put a fair few down to much more aggressive batting which seems to be an attempt to force the pace a bit more at the top.

 

[hang on]

I think latter period Strauss is a good shout, actually. His 50-100 conversion rate used to be third behind only Bradman & Headley of players with 2000 test runs, but of the last 11 times he's passed 50 the second innings at The Gabba is his only 100.

Suggests concentration issues and a chap not cashing in on his good nick to me.

not sure about the conversion rate thingy....weekes ended up a conversion rate of less than 5 innings per 100. am pretty sure that strauss never had that conversion rate at the 2000 run stage.

 

[Prince EWS]

not sure about the conversion rate thingy....weekes ended up a conversion rate of less than 5 innings per 100. am pretty sure that strauss never had that conversion rate at the 2000 run stage.

50 to 100 conversion rate is not the same as innings to 100 conversion rate.

 

[hang on]

50 to 100 conversion rate is not the same as innings to 100 conversion rate.

quite.

should learn to read!

 

[Migara]

They showed a super slow-mo of the revolutions on a ball from Herath and one from Swann during the test and it really made Herath look absolutely hopeless in comparison.

I'm starting to think KP might well justify his place in the side purely for the purpose of keeping useless left-arm slow bowlers in the opposition's starting XI.

Do the same with Murali and Swann and you'll feel Swann is hopeless. The problem with herath is that he has lost his accuracy that he was well known of. Even when wickets were flat he wheeled away over after over without giving anything to hit the sweet spot. Since he has the "carom ball" too, he can compensate on the spin. But currently he lacks that accuracy and the street fighter attitude that he had during his younger days.

 

[Howe_zat]

Sri Lanka in England and Scotland, 2011: Sanath Jayasuriya back in SL limited-overs squad | Cricket News | England v Sri Lanka 2011 | ESPN Cricinfo

Yeah.

Also, Kandamy is back and is vice captain.

 

[Migara]

This guy Senanayke sounds intriguing. Time for SL selectors to be bold maybe.

Makes me think though. Who's the tallest really good spinner from Test history?

Should be Gibbs. currently it's toss between Benn and Ashwin

 

[benchmark00]

Should be Gibbs. currently it's toss between Benn and Ashwin

Pretty sure he said 'really good spinner'.

If we're just throwing tall people's names into the mix then I nominate Manute Bol:

 

[Nate]

Fernando is terrible. Would prefer Perera ahead of him.