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

[AndyZaltzHair]

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.

ICC had to be certain that he used the substance before banning him for such long period. As they have withdrawn now meaning there's fault in the way they are conducting the system. He missed few crucial series for this and was on form.

 

[TheJediBrah]

that's correct

 

[Compton]

Not seen much of Ball, what sort of pace does he get to?

 

[FBU]

Average of 85mph.

 

[StephenZA]

How strong is the Leicestershire team? I`m hoping for a stronger performance from SL. Looking forward to some decent cricket next week and I really would like to see a good contest.

 

[Prince EWS]

How strong is the Leicestershire team?

It's a second XI basically. They've only selected two of the eleven players who played in their Championship game last week, and those two are in elevated roles here as well.

 

[weldone]

3 failures for Siriwardana so far in the tour. If both Dickwella and Shanaka bat well today then there'll be pressure on him.

 

[91Jmay]

Leicestershire have the worst depth in CC as well (their first team is now decent, particularly their batting line up - not minor county unit anymore) but this team is barely professional standard. To be 173/6 against this lot should have alarm bells well and truly ringing.

Not sure any of their bowling 'attack' has an average of under 39 with ball.

 

[Prince EWS]

Leicestershire have the worst depth in CC as well (their first team is now decent, particularly their batting line up - not minor county unit anymore) but this team is barely professional standard. To be 173/6 against this lot should have alarm bells well and truly ringing.

Not sure any of their bowling 'attack' has an average of under 39 with ball.

The batting lineup isn't that bad for what is essentially a county seconds team but yeah the bowling is truly gash. Without checking Taylor might average mid rather than high 30s now on account of playing a few ICup games for Scotland but they're all 39+ average guys in county cricket I'm sure.

EDIT: Couldn't help fact checking my own post. Taylor actually still averages 39 on account of his ICup games actually making his average worse. lol

 

[91Jmay]

Taylor still in the 40s incredibly. Yeah the batting line up isn't that bad. Ned, Sam's brother and Ali are reasonable pros.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

They can't bat. Good job they have the best attack in the world to win the series for them.

 

[morgieb]

I know they're missing Mathews from this match but jeez their batting looks poor.

 

[weldone]

good to see Shanaka turn it on

now make a century and cement your place for the first test

 

[YorksLanka]

Reasonable return from us and yes would be nice for shanaka to claim that spot..TBH don't really know much about him but seems to be ok..

 

[weldone]

Yea if Dickwella doesn't keep then Shanaka must play because he bowls decent mediums (will take some workload off Mathews). In fact, I won't mind that much if he replaces Siri (provided SL has a frontline spinner in XI), as Siri's returns in the 3 innings have been very bad.

 

[YorksLanka]

Herath will be there but he will need support so reckon Siri might me saved by that..think dickwella will keep but we may play both and go with one front line spinner-which I think will be a mistake.

If someone had offered me 318/8 at the beginning of the day ,irrespective of the bowling,I would have taken it..for me , just nice to see us improving..

 

[Howe_zat]

Shanaka's bowling record is odd.

Took 8/84 in one match but has barely bowled otherwise. One wicket in the whole of the 2014-15 season.

Can't see him at #8 in a Test match.

 

[weldone]

Shanaka's bowling record is odd.

Took 8/84 in one match but has barely bowled otherwise. One wicket in the whole of the 2014-15 season.

Can't see him at #8 in a Test match.

I was suggesting no. 7

 

[Howe_zat]

That's reasonable, seems to have more potential with the bat than Dickwella. Depends on how much they value the latter's keeping.

 

[YorksLanka]

read today in the BBC that Root feels its gonna be another "feisty" series and that a lot was said to him last time..I like Root a lot, but anyone who watches him play knows he isn't short of a word or too either.. Personally, I like to see passion from both sides(as long as it doesn't cross the line) because as far as I am concerned, cricket is a man's game, if you cant handle it, try football..