*Official* England in Sri Lanka

[Linda]

The India in Aussie thread started about 5 years before the first test, I think.

You might say we were looking forward to it.

So I will. We were looking forward to it.
But back to topic...

Whats the score? How much are England losing by now?!

 

[PY]

England 142/5 (62.1 overs)

Collingwood 22* (115)
Read 12* (35)

England trail by 181 runs with 36.5 overs remaining today.

Rain dances are now compulsory for all English fans and also any Aussies who want to pass the bad weather onto us.

 

[Tim]

I have a feeling England will hold on for the draw, and considering how much they were on the backfoot in this match...that would be a very good result.

 

[luckyeddie]

I have a feeling England will hold on for the draw, and considering how much they were on the backfoot in this match...that would be a very good result.

Well, that's guaranteed to put the mockers on it

 

[Tim]

148/6...with still 32 overs left...well I made that statement PROVIDING Collingwood & Read stayed in.

 

[lord_of_darkness]

i think SL will rip through now.. unless collingwood shows some tight defence..

 

[Neil Pickup]

29 overs

4 wickets left

Collingwood 31* (136b)
Batty 0* (12b)

Anyone criticises Collingwood for having a low strike rate, I take no responsibility for my actions.

 

[luckyeddie]

It's 29 overs minimum, based on 15 an hour.

Current over rate is nearer 17

 

[Tim]

Well no, strike-rate is not a factor now.

It's important that he can continue to face as many balls as possible so that the tail doesn't become exposed.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

England at 170/6, umpires didn't stop play even though there was a couple of overs of rain...Batty doing pretty well at 12*, Collingwood at 36* - Dharmasena bowls to Collingwood, 24 overs to go...

 

[Tim]

This is where things could get a little controversial considering how close this match is getting...I hope it doesn't get to the point where rain causes conflict.

 

[Tim]

170/7 & its Collingwood who is out, England will very much want rain now.

 

[Craig]

Batty 19*

Giles playing a swashbuckling 1* off 16 balls.

If Murali takes one more wicket it will be his 12th Ten wicket haul.

 

[luckyeddie]

Batty 19*

Giles playing a swashbuckling 1* off 16 balls.

If Murali takes one more wicket it will be his 12th Ten wicket haul.

Come off it, Craig. If Giles were still there at the end on 1* off 100 balls and England avoided defeat, it would be his most valuable innings ever for England.

Murali is such a danger man, although I think that Vaas has been superb too in this game.

 

[Gaijin-san]

Go England!
Most valuable innings, Eddie? I would have thought that for these two, even primarily as bowlers, that it would be their most valuable contribution to England in their careers.

 

[Gaijin-san]

If Murali takes one more wicket it will be his 12th Ten wicket haul.

Done.

 

[luckyeddie]

Go England!
Most valuable innings, Eddie? I would have thought that for these two, even primarily as bowlers, that it would be their most valuable contribution to England in their careers.

leave the funnies to the duck

<quack> you've got to admit it's true, though

 

[Gaijin-san]

Damn you light! Fade!

 

[Gaijin-san]

This is one hell of a finish, quite hairy indeed. Secretly, everyone in England wants Hoggard to come out and smack 10 an over and win it for England.
Oh dear, he's such a bunny. If he has to come out and bat this one is over!

 

[Magrat Garlick]

This is one hell of a finish, quite hairy indeed. Secretly, everyone in England wants Hoggard to come out and smack 10 an over and win it for England.
Oh dear, he's such a bunny. If he has to come out and bat this one is over!

Done.

104.5 Muralitharan to Johnson, OUT: dear oh dear! fraction short and
outside the off stump, Johnson offers no shot but leaves his bat
hanging in the air, ball clips the inside edge and crashes into
the stumps, Murali does it again, nine down just one more to go

England 208/9, Partnership of 4
RL Johnson b Muralitharan 3 (35b 0x4 0x6)
AF Giles 15* (99b 2x4) M Muralitharan 35.5-16-47-4

Johnson walks away shaking his head
Hoggard is the last man in
all the fielders come close

Blast...