***Official*** England in Sri Lanka 2014

[viriya]

Mahela to open and Tharanga to come in down the order would be my ideal line-up

That would probably work but considering how risk-averse the selectors are about moving Mahela up I doubt we'd see Tharanga in the middle..

 

[viriya]

Another thing to note is that Kusal hasn't been much better in his ~100 or so List A games.. there's not much to suggest he'll be that much better going forward.. He's only 24, let him work on his game and come back at 27 imo..

 

[Maximas]

I can see why the selectors like him - he's prodigiously talented, and could make a real difference in a high scoring game (of which we could see several in the WC), but he's just not good enough yet

 

[viriya]

Sanga unsure how to handle Root.. caught between attack and defense mode.. it's a consistent problem he's had vs part-timers - more often than not gives his wicket away like he almost did there.

 

[viriya]

Root's 5 overs should not go for just 18 vs Mahela + Sanga..

 

[viriya]

And the SL commentator criticizing Root for not tossing it up.. "hasn't caused any problems for Sangakkara".. wtf more does he want from a part timer going for <4/over..

ffs

 

[Maximas]

England need wickets though, even if we cruise under the rate for a while here we aren't really in danger of losing unless we lose a few wickets

 

[viriya]

Odds of Sanga making his 20th ton?

 

[viriya]

How to get a well-set Sanga out: bowl him a hit-me-ball and watch his shocked expression after holing out. You'd think he would learn after so many times..

SL can still choke this if Angelo gets himself out.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

**** gets wickets.

 

[Maximas]

2 in-form batsmen at the crease and a couple of all-rounders to come on a placid pitch with a very manageable run-rate, don't **** this up boys

 

[viriya]

Angelo has struggled to get going, but SL should still get home.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Wides will see them through. Crap bowling.

 

[Maximas]

The bowling over the last over or 2 has been woeful, England really couldn't afford extras here

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Hales showing once more he brings nothing to the team. Idiot.

 

[viriya]

SL 242-4 with 24 to get from 24 balls..

SL sends Hales their thanks.

 

[viriya]

Poor Hales having a nightmare game.. hope he makes the WC squad though..

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Poor Hales having a nightmare game.. hope he makes the WC squad though..

I don't, 20 over slogger.

 

[grecian]

Sri Lanka are making a bit of a meal of this, a couple of quick wickets and it could get interesting.

 

[viriya]

I don't, 20 over slogger.

He averages 36 at a 100 SR in List As with 8 tons from 84 innings.. I don't think he's just a 20 over slogger.