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

[OverratedSanity]

Oh man that was lucky

 

[Cabinet96]

Death of quality spinners maybe another factor? Neither of South Africa's epic rearguards came against a world class spinner, New Zealand had Bruce Martin in Auckland and Jadeja was up against New Zealand a few months ago.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Roger Bannister effect IMO. Plus batsmen have realized that playing their natural game is not the smartest strategy in these cases.

Yeah pretty much what I was thinking. Never bought that "play your natural game " BS

 

[Spark]

Death of quality spinners maybe another factor? Neither of South Africa's epic rearguards came against a world class spinner, New Zealand had Bruce Martin in Auckland and Jadeja was up against New Zealand a few months ago.

Extremely flat 5th day decks helps too.

 

[BeeGee]

This has been an incredible innings from Moeen. Stepped up when the senior players failed.

I just love test cricket so much.

 

[Dissector]

SL doesn't really look like taking a wicket. I suppose they have a way of popping out of nowhere in these situations but really I wouldn't be that surprised with a draw.

 

[GIMH]

Death of quality spinners maybe another factor? Neither of South Africa's epic rearguards came against a world class spinner, New Zealand had Bruce Martin in Auckland and Jadeja was up against New Zealand a few months ago.

Yeah you're onto something. Pretty sure we didn't suffer any from about 5 Tests into Swann's career onwards either.

 

[Dan]

FFS Moeen, hit a boundary. I want to sleep.

 

[OverratedSanity]

This needs to end with Moeen on 99 with one ball to keep out.

 

[stumpski]

Nine overs to go, second nailbiter in a row. How much would Moeen like to slash one over the slips though?

And Herath up to his 40th over now, starting to tire maybe?

 

[stumpski]

Jimmy flashing at Eranga - maybe not eh?

 

[Cabinet96]

Yeah you're onto something. Pretty sure we didn't suffer any from about 5 Tests into Swann's career onwards either.

We also almost had some great chases in Sri Lanka and the UAE but fell short cause Herath and Ajmal.

 

[Jarquis]

Welcome to Test cricket Moeen

 

[GIMH]

Yeah and the great Cardiff escape came V Hauritz & North

inb4SoCreturnstotellushauritzwasbetterthanswann

 

[Dan]

Hauritz was massively underrated, tbh. Nowhere near the class of Swann obvs, but a pretty handy offie in his prime.

 

[Cabinet96]

WAG.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Take a bow, beardy. That's magnificent. Now get out .

 

[Dan]

BEARD!

Would have laughed if the umpire signalled leg byes tbh.

 

[Spark]

Played, man. Hell of a knock.

 

[Cabinet96]

Yeah and the great Cardiff escape came V Hauritz & North

inb4SoCreturnstotellushauritzwasbetterthanswann

Paul Harris in South Afirca