***Official*** England in Sri Lanka

[SpaceMonkey]

We didn't, really, though - all the ODI surfaces were as flat as a pancake, really, especially later on in the series.

It was just that one Test at Trent Bridge that saw SL get the sort of surface we should never, ever have given them, and even so, English ineptitude played plenty a part in the loss of that Test.

I seem to remember a test at the oval which turned square as well. Cant remember the year.

 

[JASON]

It should be another close one at Premadasa Stadium tonight given the low scoring nature of the pitch.

I expect England to win 3-2 or 4-1.

SL should try and get the Batsmen (heading into the Aussie series) into some batting form through these 2 ODIs. Even if we lost these 2 , it wouldn't matter as long as the batsmen get among the runs as the Aussie Test series comes by in 2 weeks.

The Australian basmen all seem to be in great form (in India) which does not augur well for us...

 

[pasag]

Would I be correct in saying that the SL ODI side rely too heavily on 5 class players and when one or two of them are either injured or not perfoming they become an average (or not as good) side, but when they are all on song (like the ODI WC) they're amongst the best in the world? Agree/disagree?

 

[Athlai]

Would I be correct in saying that the SL ODI side rely too heavily on 5 class players and when one or two of them are either injured or not perfoming they become an average (or not as good) side, but when they are all on song (like the ODI WC) they're amongst the best in the world? Agree/disagree?

Would still consider them an above average side but mostly agree.

 

[chaminda_00]

Would I be correct in saying that the SL ODI side rely too heavily on 5 class players and when one or two of them are either injured or not perfoming they become an average (or not as good) side, but when they are all on song (like the ODI WC) they're amongst the best in the world? Agree/disagree?

When we play at our best it has always been when the lesser names like Tharanga, Silva, Dilshan, Dilhara, Chandana and Zoysa have stood up. In reality Jayawardene, Vaas and Jayasuriya have always been fairly inconsistent. Sangakkara and Murali are the only one why have ever really put together consistent performances over a long period. If you look at Jayasuriya when he put together a couple good performance people forgot his poor performances (which have always happened quite regular) pretty easierly.

 

[JASON]

Would I be correct in saying that the SL ODI side rely too heavily on 5 class players and when one or two of them are either injured or not perfoming they become an average (or not as good) side, but when they are all on song (like the ODI WC) they're amongst the best in the world? Agree/disagree?

I would agree completely...in fact its only 4 class players - ie Murali,Sangakkara,Jayawardene, Malinga ...Jayasuriya has been always hit or miss and others are fairly unpredictable with regard to how they perform on any given day...

 

[Athlai]

Broads going to bowl badly today and bat well.

 

[Richard]

I seem to remember a test at the oval which turned square as well. Cant remember the year.

Oh, The Oval 1998, yes, I remember it well. It didn't really turn square, though - it was a belter for most of the match and Murali, as he tends to, caused serious problems to a fair few average players of spin (Mark Butcher, Steve James, Alec Stewart, tailenders, etc.) and it was also quite a long while ago now.

 

[Days of Grace]

Time for Sanath to play a big knock, me thinks.

 

[Richard]

Anderson not opening well once more (cue him taking 4-25 later on...) with a boundary 1st ball followed by a wide.

The heat they say is steaming, as expected, and the pitch appears flat. Finally, some proper Sri Lankan conditions. Maharoof misses-out with injury, replaced by Kaushal, will this work to Lanka's advantage?

 

[Richard]

Tharanga gone cheaply yet again. Will someone get this goose out of the side?

 

[Perm]

Malinda Warnapura FTW.

 

[Richard]

FFS, Jayasuriya.

Anderson finally gets his 1st ODI wicket in Sri Lanka, Pietersen almost drops it though.

 

[Perm]

Would like to see a big Jayawardene knock here ITBT.

 

[Days of Grace]

Time for Sanath to play a big knock, me thinks.

dire knock, really. Time for Sanath to go?

 

[Nishan]

Dilruwan Perrera for next game no excuses, lucky this is right after a world cup otherwise i will be really ****** offf.

Get Tharanga, Mubarak out of there

 

[Richard]

dire knock, really. Time for Sanath to go?

Nah. Would be disappointed to see this end his career. Want to see him make summat big in this series. So 1 more opportunity.

 

[The_Bunny]

Fantastic bowling from England tbh.
Doesnt look like there is really that much in the pitch or air.

 

[Prince EWS]

Tharanga gone cheaply yet again. Will someone get this goose out of the side?

No, he's quite obviously one of the best young batsmen in the game, regardless of how few runs he scores, how poor his technique is and how poor his timing is on every shot other than the thick outside edge past point. Just ask Tharmi.

 

[Richard]

Fantastic bowling from England tbh.
Doesnt look like there is really that much in the pitch or air.

Sidebottom has got some swing TBH.

Anderson's 2 wickets have both come with wholly average deliveries though.