**Official** Sri Lanka in England and Ireland 2016

[TheJediBrah]

A lot of people seem to be jumping to the conclusion that "he was completely innocent and the lab just screwed up his samples, poor guy" which is really a giant assumption.

Just as likely he actually did use banned substances and the case was thrown out because the lab screwed up their method/reporting or something stupid. Can't really blame people for assuming the former though, it's how the media seem to be reporting it anyway.

 

[StephenZA]

"for various scientific and technical reasons, it could not be ruled out that the 19-Norandrostenedione was produced naturally in the player's body and/or formed in the samples after the player provided them."

That says to me that the levels where low enough that lab cannot be certain as to how the substance got into the body/sample. Hendrix is the one to give clarity on this. He is, i think, passionate about the use of banned substances.

 

[YorksLanka]

Will this happen please?

I doubt it TBH, that would assume some kind of logic from our board and that doesn't usually happen...if he were to play it would be in the odi's anyway rather than tests..

 

[flibbertyjibber]

So Ball and Vince are called up then and Compton and Hales keep their places. Probably the right thing to do after a successful series in SA.

 

[91Jmay]

So Cook, Hales, Compton, Root, Vince, Stokes, Bairstow, Ali

Extremely aggressive but huge lollapse potential line up that. Would imagine will be great viewing for the neutrals.

 

[Scaly piscine]

What happens if we promote Bairstow to 5 and drop the gloves and he fails again like he had previously as a specialist batsman? There's no guarantee that he will make it solely as a bat.

If anything keeping has seemed to take the pressure of him when it comes to batting. He knows he isn't solely in the team for his batting and relaxes and plays that bit more aggresive.

I think it's a non issue this summer as there is no other wicketkeeper who is really pushing hard for selection.

You reconsider the situation at the end of the summer.



Sounds like Compton keeps his place. Think that's the right decision at this moment.

John Etheridge ‏@JohnSunCricket 2m2 minutes ago

Nick Compton keeps his place in England squad for the First Test. More to follow on Sunsport online....

Fact is if Bairstow doesn't perform well with the bat he's gone anyway because his keeping is shite. Can't be arsed checking to see if his average has gone above Buttler's yet.

Keep in mind Buttler is a better keeper, albeit still not great. But I can't really see Buttler ever averaging 45-50 with the bat, whereas Bairstow I can see doing that.

It's only really moot until Buttler returns from IPL-land.

 

[Prince EWS]

I was a bit on the fence between Vince and Ballance and I don't really agree with picking players in the squad specifically to be twelfth man when you'd sooner call up a different player of their type if there was an injury which is what I suspect is happening with Ball, but I'm pretty happy with the squad. I'm glad they've stuck with Hales (despite the fact I'm not exactly a big fan) and Compton and I'm glad they think Vince rather than Westley or Bell-Drummond is the best uncapped batsman at the moment.

 

[Daemon]

Series Result: 2-0 to England
Most Runs: Cook
Most Wickets: Broad
Highest Score: Cook
Most Wickets (innings): Broad
Random Predictions:
No Lankan seamer to average under 35
Hales won't last the series

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Fact is if Bairstow doesn't perform well with the bat he's gone anyway because his keeping is shite. Can't be arsed checking to see if his average has gone above Buttler's yet.

Keep in mind Buttler is a better keeper, albeit still not great. But I can't really see Buttler ever averaging 45-50 with the bat, whereas Bairstow I can see doing that.

It's only really moot until Buttler returns from IPL-land.

He does average more, 32 for Bairstow and 30 for Buttler but given Bairstow's form this last year it should rise. As you say with Buttler off at IPL there is no point worrying about him at present and Bairstow has the next series at least.

 

[ajdude]

has anybody else pointed out that vince and ball were born on the same day? that's got me ****ed

 

[morgieb]

has anybody else pointed out that vince and ball were born on the same day? that's got me ****ed

Wow, that's awesome.

Would be even better if someone got injured and Ball made his debut.

 

[Grumpy]

Is Wood still injured?

 

[morgieb]

Is Wood still injured?

Sort of. This one is a new injury.

 

[grecian]

Is Wood still injured?

Yes.

I suppose it was all very well all our exciting conjecture, but in the end we've just come off a big series win, and they've just gone for the next cab of the rank to replace Taylor.

I suppose Woakes the only one to feel he may have been snubbed, long road back for him now in Tests, Ball leap-frogging him and with all these injuries, reasonable to consider he's well down the pecking order if everyone fit.

 

[grecian]

Wow, that's awesome.

Would be even better if someone got injured and Ball made his debut.

There's every chance Ball could start ahead of Finn IMHO.

 

[Compton]

So Cook, Hales, Compton, Root, Vince, Stokes, Bairstow, Ali

Extremely aggressive but huge lollapse potential line up that. Would imagine will be great viewing for the neutrals.

Not expecting much support on this, but I'd probably bat Vince first drop and move Compton down the order.

Cook, Hales, Vince, Root, Compton, Stokes, Bairstow, Moeen

Has a much better balance to it, IMO. Vince speeds up the top 3 and Compton calms down a hashy bashy lower middle order.

 

[Migara]

Series Result: 2-0 to England
Most Runs: Cook
Most Wickets: Broad
Highest Score: Cook
Most Wickets (innings): Broad
Random Predictions:
No Lankan seamer to average under 35
Hales won't last the series

If Dilruwan Perera to played in a match, will bowl Sri Lanka to victory.

 

[Grumpy]

If Dilruwan Perera to played in a match, will bowl Sri Lanka to victory.

Not with shite batting he wouldn't

 

[grecian]

Not expecting much support on this, but I'd probably bat Vince first drop and move Compton down the order.

Cook, Hales, Vince, Root, Compton, Stokes, Bairstow, Moeen

Has a much better balance to it, IMO. Vince speeds up the top 3 and Compton calms down a hashy bashy lower middle order.

It's not the worst idea actually, it's not like there's not lots of potential batting after number 5, could be the long-awaited replacement for Colly down the order.

I'd still just rather they bat Compton as opener and Hales at 3, never understood it this way round.

 

[Cabinet96]

Why is Compton not getting runs in country cricket a selection issue? Is there precedent for an incumbent getting dropped for poor domestic form?

Also, I keep forgetting that this is a 3 match series and not 2. Had three consecutive two match series to start the summer until this one.