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

[91Jmay]

Angelo probably done what he wanted and put the breaks on a little bit. Herath time? Interesting to see him vs Ali.

 

[Maximas]

Yeah time for a bit of Herath, Pradeep worth a go as well I think sooner or later

 

[Maximas]

Although I don't mind an extended quiet period, test the patience, build a bit of pressure, see how they respond

 

[SOLID MATTIC]

So frustrating to see Bell not be able to cash in on a start yet again. Really need a big score from one of these two right now, great run rate but it won't matter if we keep losing wickets.

 

[91Jmay]

Joe Root's ability to nail half volleys straight to fielders still intact and dare I say thriving I see.

 

[King Pietersen]

Moeen is so good.

 

[Pothas]

Shot lad.

 

[Maximas]

Another wicket before tea required for Sri Lanka IMO, this match looking more like the Lords test from the last tour

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Looks a good track to bat on, we need a big stand here, still got plenty to come on paper with Prior and three number 8's though all have something to prove so can't be totally relied on.

 

[91Jmay]

Root has so few scoring options. He has done ok so far this innings but it really hurts him against tighter bowling.

 

[YorksLanka]

SL need a wicket here...England building a nice partnership here..

 

[hendrix]

I still rate Root. I'm pretty sure Williamson went through the same difficulties in scoring early doors.

Funnily enough I think t20 cricket helped a lot with that. He was also dropped from the ODI team temporarily and came back with a ton more scoring options.

 

[Maximas]

Yeah, a few good points being made in commentary, can't let it become like Hobart 2012, have to bowl England out sub-400 and then score over 450 themselves over days 2 and 3

 

[King Pietersen]

I like Root. Considering he's only hit 2 boundaries, to be 40* off 84 balls is pretty good going. Playing a good hand here, hope he goes on and gets a big one.

 

[Stapel]

Having missed all of the built-up and havinf missed the morning session, I have two questions:

-Why did the Sri Lankans send the English in? Was it overcast earlier on? Or what?
-What did Plunkett do to be picked ahead of Bresnan, Finn, Onions, Tremlett, Stokes, Borthwick, Rankin, or any half decent spinner?

 

[Maximas]

Sri Lanka sent England in because they've won their last 2 tests by bowling out opposition on day 1 through good fast bowling and then batting them out of the game over day 2 and 3

 

[hendrix]

Having missed all of the built-up and havinf missed the morning session, I have two questions:

-Why did the Sri Lankans send the English in? Was it overcast earlier on? Or what?
-What did Plunkett do to be picked ahead of Bresnan, Finn, Onions, Tremlett, Stokes, Borthwick, Rankin, or any half decent spinner?

Lord's tends to flatten out and SL's seamers need as much assistance as they can get. Also, first game in foreign conditions, not a bad idea to not expose the batsmen.

Bresnan - meh, not going to be involved going forward
Finn - horribly out of form for over a year
Onions - injured
Tremlett - possibly injured and see Finn
Stokes - coming back from an injury, hasn't played any matches yet
Borthwick - is terrible
Rankin - is terrible
half decent spinner - is Moeen Ali

 

[Maximas]

Lol, if Thirrimane gets a wicket I'll eat my hat

 

[Maximas]

I liked that session from Sri Lanka, probably needed another wicket but they got the run-rate under control through Kula and Matthews then kept it there with the rest of the attack, would like to see Herath bowl a fair bit in the final session so he can get some overs under his belt and settle into his work while the pacers try to pick off wickets where they can, Eranga could be crucial if he gets the ball to reverse a bit.

 

[Stapel]

Lord's tends to flatten out and SL's seamers need as much assistance as they can get. Also, first game in foreign conditions, not a bad idea to not expose the batsmen.

Bresnan - meh, not going to be involved going forward
Finn - horribly out of form for over a year
Onions - injured
Tremlett - possibly injured and see Finn
Stokes - coming back from an injury, hasn't played any matches yet
Borthwick - is terrible
Rankin - is terrible
half decent spinner - is Moeen Ali

But why Plunkett??? Is he really going to be involved in England going forward?