***Official*** Sri Lanka in England and Ireland 2014

[91Jmay]

Plunkett is similar to how he was before IMO. I haven't seen a great improvement in him other than a bit more pace. He'll touch 90s at times, but that's not really whats required in England.

I'd have gone with Woakes as well.

 

[Flem274*]

It's hard to say. He's definitely a much different bowler now to what he was then. He's gained pace and now bowls short, hostile spells as an "enforcer" type bowler with the older ball; he can often be quite expensive but in a different way to Plunkett v1. His selection is more England over-reacting to Johnson than anything IMO but it'll be interesting to see how he goes.

That's definitely new. Why did he change?

 

[social]

It's hard to say. He's definitely a much different bowler now to what he was then. He's gained pace and now bowls short, hostile spells as an "enforcer" type bowler with the older ball; he can often be quite expensive but in a different way to Plunkett v1. His selection is more England over-reacting to Johnson than anything IMO but it'll be interesting to see how he goes.

Reading some of the CC match reports, he seems to have impressed

Also not a lot of other options if they don't trust Woakes

Bresnan - injured and meh

Finn - jury out

Rankin- injured

Onions - injured

 

[King Pietersen]

I'd have gone Plunkett and Woakes personally

 

[Prince EWS]

That's definitely new. Why did he change?

He was actually struggling to hold a place in county cricket consistently; turned out for Durham Second XI and then Yorkshire Second XI a few times.

 

[Flem274*]

He was actually struggling to hold a place in county cricket consistently; turned out for Durham Second XI and then Yorkshire Second XI a few times.

Haha that's a Tim McIntosh-esque fall from grace.

 

[Pothas]

First day of test cricket in the summer is great no matter what. Some runs would be nice though.

 

[Prince EWS]

This series is going to be so much worse to watch in general while England are batting.

 

[GIMH]

Burgey will have a field day with that drop

 

[Pothas]

I can't believe Plunkett is actually playing another test match though. I don't even think it is a particularly bad decision I just refuse to believe that it has happened.

 

[Flem274*]

that sounded woody.

whats this rpm thing again?

 

[NUFAN]

Since when was being defensive such a bad thing for weaker teams, away from home? Good on em' for bowling first, given the make up of the team.

 

[Adders]

Was that a drop?? FMD.....Cooky thats a let off.

 

[Prince EWS]

For all the plaudits Prasanna Jaywardene gets for his keeping, he really struggled in England last tour as well (somewhat ironically batted really well though).

 

[Pothas]

Burgey will have a field day with that drop

Haha I loved Holding saying 'I think' that is a dropped catch.

 

[hendrix]

I keep forgetting that Cook has played over 100 tests.

 

[Adders]

Umpire ****ed that up....no where near the bat.

 

[91Jmay]

Yeah he has got nowhere near that. Not a great start from the umpire, but Cook looks shaky at best.

 

[Flem274*]

Get a haircut Pradeep. That's filthy.

 

[Prince EWS]

Holding and Bumble are the worst possible combination to commentate on a Kulasekara/Pradeep opening combination. No matter how much better the former bowls, they'll both just bang on about how much quicker the latter is all day.