*Official* England in Sri Lanka 2021

[91Jmay]

Bess bowled much better 2nd dig.

 

[vcs]

Bess doesn't seem to have much control over his length.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Bess doesn't seem to have much control over his length.

Think most of the bowlers bar Broad are looking rusty and the match practice will do them good ahead of the next 5 tests in Asia this winter.

 

[wpdavid]

Think most of the bowlers bar Broad are looking rusty and the match practice will do them good ahead of the next 5 tests in Asia this winter.

I think your first point is spot on. It probably explains the number of full tosses that Bess has sent down in this test. And we know that Leach hasn't played a match for ages. I'm less convinced that your second point will console me if we go on to lose this test, which could easily happen. Matthews has some history with us, of course.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Bess doesn't seem to have much control over his length.

Yeah, he does drag it down an awful lot for an offie.

Occasion full bunger too, for variety's sake.

That said he's been getting some nice drift in the second innings, got Chandimal with one that beat the right hander's outside edge.

Very much a work in progress, but he is only 23.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

I think your first point is spot on. It probably explains the number of full tosses that Bess has sent down in this test. And we know that Leach hasn't played a match for ages. I'm less convinced that your second point will console me if we go on to lose this test, which could easily happen. Matthews has some history with us, of course.

Not expecting us to do much in India but they should improve for playing against Sri Lanka and getting match practice. Who knows the Indian injuries may mean we don't lose 4-0 over there.

 

[cnerd123]

England's best spinner on, i should tune in.

 

[wpdavid]

Yeah, he does drag it down an awful lot for an offie.

Occasion full bunger too, for variety's sake.

That said he's been getting some nice drift in the second innings, got Chandimal with one that beat the right hander's outside edge.

Very much a work in progress, but he is only 23.

I would be more sympathetic if he was a wrist spinner. But surely a finger spinner should generally be able to pitch the ball on a decent length?

 

[wpdavid]

Anyway, fully into fearing the worst mode, what are the record first innings deficits that have been turned around into wins?

 

[Pothas]

Safe to say we needed that.

Think Ward mentioned the forecast is worse for tomorrow so a draw a definite possibility.

 

[cnerd123]

Vindication for Bess!

Is there a sting in the tail?

 

[cnerd123]

Love a good spinner's yorker

 

[MW1304]

Need to skittle them from here. Tough ask for Sri Lanka on this pitch.

 

[Pothas]

Shanaka very much in the not contributing much category.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Need to end this quickly. Get it all done.

 

[Flem274*]

thirimanne scored a ton lol the english bowlers have some explaining to do.

 

[BoyBrumby]

I would be more sympathetic if he was a wrist spinner. But surely a finger spinner should generally be able to pitch the ball on a decent length?

I absolutely agree; I kinda think Bess has maybe been selected for the international game a wee bit early and we're seeing in tests the early adolescent stages of his development that would usually be in the CC.

Leach is very obviously more the finished product (the cider drinkers invariably favoured him when it was a straight choice), but with his health issues last year, Moeen's form and Rashid's reluctance Bess was kinda Hobson's choice for the 2020 summer and is now the man in possession.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

thirimanne scored a ton lol the english bowlers have some explaining to do.

We were helping all other sides in the world by ensuring he gets another 20 tests off the back of this one.

You can thank us later.

 

[cnerd123]

Hasaranga can bat. Needs to bat long here.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

I absolutely agree; I kinda think Bess has maybe been selected for the international game a wee bit early and we're seeing in tests the early adolescent stages of his development that would usually be in the CC.

Leach is very obviously more the finished product (the cider drinkers invariably favoured him when it was a straight choice), but with his health issues last year, Moeen's form and Rashid's reluctance Bess was kinda Hobson's choice for the 2020 summer and is now the man in possession.

Add in Bess is a decent bat and they probably view him as a new version of Giles, won't ever be a Swann but a spinner averaging in the 30's is no bad thing, just ask Australia.