***Official*** England vs Sri Lanka 21st August-10th September 2024

[Stapel]

I can hardly recall Jamie Smith playing a really nice cricket shot.
Seems like ages ago.

 

[CartyDurham]

I can hardly recall Jamie Smith playing a really nice cricket shot.
Seems like ages ago.

Played a few nice cover drives and launched a straight six

hope he gets another 50 here

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

Listening on TMS, why have things slowed down? Getting darker, good bowling or are England being more cautious with the long tail to come?

 

[CartyDurham]

Still over 4 an over for the innings

it’s decent bowling imo

 

[CartyDurham]

Well played again by Smith bringing up his 50

 

[Stapel]

Still over 4 an over for the innings

it’s decent bowling imo

Yeah, I agree. A well deserved fifty, imho.
It's just that those drives seem like ages ago.
A batsman having found his rhythm, yet going back into his shell, because the bowling tells him to, is a treat of test cricket.

 

[Stapel]

Yeah, I agree. A well deserved fifty, imho.
It's just that those drives seem like ages ago.
A batsman having found his rhythm, yet going back into his shell, because the bowling tells him to, is a treat of test cricket.

On cue: a classic drive to extra cover.

 

[CartyDurham]

Similar to Brooks dismissal but I feel Woakes didn’t help himself there by not getting forward

England lead by 3

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

Don’t think Sri Lanka need to bring the fast bowlers on with Jayasuriya slowing the scoring and getting some spin from time to time!

 

[mackembhoy]

Am I just harsh but none of Pope, Brook or Woakes got jaffas?

All playing the wrong shot to the delivery.

 

[CartyDurham]

Am I just harsh but none of Pope, Brook or Woakes got jaffas?

All playing the wrong shot to the delivery. Unexpected turn doesn't make it a jaffa per se.

Pope was playing inside the line and he does that a bit too much for a top order batsman

falling over himself shows he is off balance and needs to get that sorted

brook did get a good ball but Woakes just retreated to leg which exaggerated the turn on his dismissal

 

[Molehill]

Am I just harsh but none of Pope, Brook or Woakes got jaffas?

All playing the wrong shot to the delivery.

Good deliveries but not unplayable. The Brook ball was better than Woakes, span much more.

Starting to really enjoy watching Smith bat, Bairstow is done!

 

[CartyDurham]

Hope the dressing room take note of how Smith dealt with the spin in that last over

lovely foot movement made it look so straightforward

 

[mackembhoy]

Cheers for the sanity check. Just thinking a bit hyperbolic from the England commentators.

Yes Smith an excellent pick I think Bairstow/Foakes were always going to be done if they didn't have a good series in India. Whether that had been for Smith or Robinson.

I think Robinson was desperately unlucky, but completely vindicated with the decision in how he's done.

 

[Stapel]

Similar to Brooks dismissal but I feel Woakes didn’t help himself there by not getting forward

England lead by 3

As did Brooks.
Though I have a hopelessly long record myself, of getting out standing on the back foot, to slightly over pitched balls, I always realise it is my own fault.
The main difference between me and Brook or Woakes is that I play at the lowest imaginable level of cricket. In Holland........

 

[Howe_zat]

Smith up to 2nd on England's all time best batting averages

 

[CartyDurham]

By that was a cracking shot by Smith there. High class

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

Am I just harsh but none of Pope, Brook or Woakes got jaffas?

All playing the wrong shot to the delivery.

I’d be more lenient to Brook and Woakes, I think they did get jaffas, but all apart from Root and Duckett’s dismissals have been unusual for Bazball

 

[CartyDurham]

Bad bloody light

get more powerful floodlights at all test grounds

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

That’s gonna be it for today isn’t it?