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

[PlayerComparisons]

How much of this is down to pitches being flatter?

Much flatter pitches + some really good players like Brook and Smith that weren’t there before Bazball

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Weirdly that 50 odd in 20 balls or whatever it was by Smith might swing the game back our way. Some player he is

 

[GIMH]

Much flatter pitches + some really good players like Brook and Smith that weren’t there before Bazball

Flatter pitches than when?

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

He shouldn't have played that shot another 50 runs could have been advantage england

Dunno how much you can blame him, Stone can hold a bat, but could easily get castled at any time, rather Smith try and score as much as he can rather than nudge and nurdle and not really put pressure on the oppo like Foakes in India

 

[mackembhoy]

I for one am furious about the arrogance being shown by Jamie Smith to score runs with attacking shots. He should only be scoring runs with non-arrogant methods, which are solely nurdles to square leg for one and forward defensives that lead to overthrows.

Not even comparable and you know it.

But sneer away. Play the way we have this summer next winter and the Aussie regiment on will be laughing their heads off at yet another 5-0.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

He shouldn't have played that shot another 50 runs could have been advantage england

I don't think playing any other way would have benefited him. He was in the zone.

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

Not even comparable and you know it.

But sneer away. Play the way we have this summer next winter and the Aussie regiment on will be laughing their heads off at yet another 5-0.

In a way, I hope it’s arrogance in thinking this game either doesn’t matter or was already in the bag as we haven’t always been so gung-ho, because I don’t think we’d be that arrogant Down Under

 

[Howe_zat]

Not even comparable and you know it.

But sneer away. Play the way we have this summer next winter and the Aussie regiment on will be laughing their heads off at yet another 5-0.

Why haven't they called you up yet for a consultation on the 'more goodness, less worseness' strategy?

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

Very unlikely England last the day, but it could be handy to get dismissed just before the end of play, hopefully get Sri Lanka 1 or 2 down and then hope Atkinson is fit enough for tomorrow

 

[GIMH]

Very unlikely England last the day, but it could be handy to get dismissed just before the end of play, hopefully get Sri Lanka 1 or 2 down and then hope Atkinson is fit enough for tomorrow

To hell with that let’s win it tonight

 

[Chin Music]

In a way, I hope it’s arrogance in thinking this game either doesn’t matter or was already in the bag as we haven’t always been so gung-ho, because I don’t think we’d be that arrogant Down Under

We still need to find a batter or two who are better than Lawrence who are not already in the side more than anything.The too three have been badly exposed this series, regardless of Pope’s knock first dig and Brook has been off colour, to say the least.

 

[Silver Silva]

Not even comparable and you know it.

But sneer away. Play the way we have this summer next winter and the Aussie regiment on will be laughing their heads off at yet another 5-0.

I don't think the style of play is the problem ..

It's been brilliant to watch and largely successful but asking Lawrence to open, Woakes at 7, Atkinson playing so many games in a row is asking for trouble , there's no way England would do that in the Ashes so that's where the arrogance/complacency part comes in I guess.

 

[mackembhoy]

I don't think the style of play is the problem ..

It's been brilliant to watch and largely successful but asking Lawrence to open, Woakes at 7, Atkinson playing so many games in a row is asking for trouble , there's no way England would do that in the Ashes so that's where the arrogance/complacency part comes in I guess.

Yep agreed on all that.

Every England fan has loved the approach. I've still yet to see us improve on it, the pinnacle was still that Pakistan series.

They should never been devoid of criticism.

 

[GIMH]

I don't think the style of play is the problem ..

It's been brilliant to watch and largely successful but asking Lawrence to open, Woakes at 7, Atkinson playing so many games in a row is asking for trouble , there's no way England would do that in the Ashes so that's where the arrogance/complacency part comes in I guess.

I get time moves on, sports science is more advanced, and rotation is the way. But in the seven tests a summer era it was not unusual for multiple quicks to play the lot. I’m not sure Atkinson playing six is really asking for trouble. They rested him elsewhere.

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

We still need to find a batter or two who are better than Lawrence who are not already in the side more than anything.The too three have been badly exposed this series, regardless of Pope’s knock first dig and Brook has been off colour, to say the least.

I feel we have a lot of promising young top order players, but whereas even if Hull or Bashir get hit around the park, one magic ball or a poor shot can turn it around, introducing a young batter into the line of fire when you’re always one ball away from oblivion is even more risky

 

[Pothas]

I don't think the style of play is the problem ..

It's been brilliant to watch and largely successful but asking Lawrence to open, Woakes at 7, Atkinson playing so many games in a row is asking for trouble , there's no way England would do that in the Ashes so that's where the arrogance/complacency part comes in I guess.

Both these things do come from injuries. Woakes has batted 7 when Stokes has been injured before, wouldn't be at all surprised if he battted there against Australia at home. They had Moeen at 3 last summer.

 

[Chin Music]

Can’t believe this win viz. I would make Sri Lanka 60-40 but not if England somehow got 250 lead.

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

I don't think the style of play is the problem ..

It's been brilliant to watch and largely successful but asking Lawrence to open, Woakes at 7, Atkinson playing so many games in a row is asking for trouble , there's no way England would do that in the Ashes so that's where the arrogance/complacency part comes in I guess.

Tbf we'll probably need to bring about 10 seamers to Aus with the rate they get injured!

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

Can’t believe this win viz. I would make Sri Lanka 60-40 but not if England somehow got 250 lead.

In the unlikely event England build a lead of 250 you’d fancy the scoreboard pressure would build and they’d get skittled out, this is more or less 50-50 now

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

Looks like we’ve found our Broad replacement!