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

[flibbertyjibber]

I read that Sam Curran is the only left-arm bowler to play a Test for England since Sidebottom, and I can’t remember who England’s last bowler of comparable height was, so I think it’s fair to say ‘point of difference’ hasn’t always been high on the agenda!

Alan Mullaly is the last of a similar height I can think of but that's over 25 years ago. He wasn't that quick either.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

The thing I like the most about the Stokes era is the team is announced a day or two in advance. Don't have to wait for the toss.

It's almost a good arrogance, this is us and its up to you to beat us. Plus it will help settle younger players knowing they are in or not.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

What's the excitement level like over there for the impending start of this engrossing match up?

Think people are more interested in the Paralympics and the transfer window closing.

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

Kinda a patchwork England side with a makeshift opening bat, stand in captain, balance skewed due to missing our batting all-rounder and one of our senior bowlers out injured. And it feels doubly so since the side already had three rookies (albeit promising ones) in Smith, Atkinson and Bashir. If Sri Lanka play well they've got a shot.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

We are ripe to be beaten. A half decent side should beat this team we have out.

 

[Starfighter]

It's almost a good arrogance, this is us and its up to you to beat us. Plus it will help settle younger players knowing they are in or not.

Eh it's pretty common for sides to be announced ahead of time these days. Hardly a Stokes-specific thing.

 

[Molehill]

A sunny day at Lord's and SL opt to bowl first. Not sure that's the obvious choice (Pope confirms England would've batted).

 

[Gremlin]

I don't get the logic of bowling first myself. However, England are just as likely to be 45-3 at midday as 72-1 so we'll see!

 

[Chin Music]

A sunny day at Lord's and SL opt to bowl first. Not sure that's the obvious choice (Pope confirms England would've batted).

Just to continue on the Kennington by Galle theme, bowl first, then get a big lead and allow the spinner to finish the job. That said, Lord's rarely offers big spin later in the game.

 

[Himannv]

I'd love for him to prove me wrong but why is Kumara ahead of Rajitha in the pecking order? Yeah he has pace but I've seen way too many Tests were he just goes the distance or gets a niggle.

He's probably the better bowler in this format, but yeah, his fitness is a concern.

 

[Molehill]

Just to continue on the Kennington by Galle theme, bowl first, then get a big lead and allow the spinner to finish the job. That said, Lord's rarely offers big spin later in the game.

Likely to be of more impact is the cloud cover around over the weekend. Think I'd like to be batting today in this sunsheeeeine....

 

[mackembhoy]

Choosing to field seems an utterly mental decision.

Guess we shall see.

 

[Silver Silva]

Lords tests always something special

 

[Starfighter]

Can someone tell me that DDS didn't say he chose to bowl because "There is always swing in the first hour". That kind of logic with not looking at what's actually going on on the day rubs me up the wrong way.

 

[Nora]

sri lanka could have done a brave baz-esuqe selection and picked mahesh theekshana, he looks pretty good.
should be a thrashing as windies are a stronger team.

vishwa and rajitha are decent seamers on their day,

the batting maybe on par with windies

Picking Theekshana could have been a bold move. I agree that Vishwa and Rajitha can be effective on their day

 

[Silver Silva]

sri lanka could have done a brave baz-esuqe selection and picked mahesh theekshana, he looks pretty good.
should be a thrashing as windies are a stronger team.

vishwa and rajitha are decent seamers on their day,

the batting maybe on par with windies

Mathews has the same number of Test hundreds as the entire West Indies squad that toured England, would kill for their fast bowlers though !

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Eh it's pretty common for sides to be announced ahead of time these days. Hardly a Stokes-specific thing.

I was meaning an arrogance in this is us you deal with it is coming in a lot more. I worded it badly. Most sides are announced a day before, 48 hours seems a little early.

Good toss to lose. Though we'd have surely batted anyway. Showing no faith in his top order on a sunny day on a flat surface is poor though

 

[Silver Silva]

Yeah DDS made the wrong decision , This is Sri Lankan version of Nasser Hussain saying we'll have a bowl at the Gabba all those years ago

 

[The Brian Hardie Stance]

Lawrence never looked particularly comfortable there. Unsurprising edge.

 

[Molehill]

Lawrence not exactly putting any pressure on Crawley's spot. A sunny day at Lord's and he can't take advantage.