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*Official* Pakistan in Sri Lanka 2014

hendrix

Hall of Fame Member
You don't have to rate Lakmal, it's just pretty clear that Eranga, Prasad and him are about the only pacers who might turn into something test standard. So I don't see the problem with persisting with him.
 

91Jmay

International Coach
Right because Tharanga's average of 28 isn't bloated because of playing the Deshis? He has more than a 3rd of his runs including his only 100 against them, without them he averages 21.22 in 15 matches.

Tharanga is a bunny against any kind of sideways movement, which is prevelant in most countries in the world. Its not like he is young or that inexperienced, just not a very good player. Get rid.
 

Prince EWS

Global Moderator
Right because Tharanga's average of 28 isn't bloated because of playing the Deshis? He has more than a 3rd of his runs including his only 100 against them, without them he averages 21.22 in 15 matches.

Tharanga is a bunny against any kind of sideways movement, which is prevelant in most countries in the world. Its not like he is young or that inexperienced, just not a very good player. Get rid.
Look I'd sooner pick even Mubarak than Tharanga so I'm with you there, but to be fair to what their point was, Tharanga hasn't actually had a go in the middle order where they think he'd perform better, and Vithanage hasn't really actually done anything of note yet at all.

Picking Tharanga in the middle order may be an awful idea. I actually agree - I wouldn't do it. But what his Test average is compared to Vithanage's really isn't a point either way in the debate as neither of them really tell us much at all when put into context.
 

91Jmay

International Coach
If there isn't any better options than a career failure like Tharanga, then Sri Lanka are going to struggle going forward.

The difference between top 3 and middle order is substantial, but it isn't averaging 21 substantial. Gets to the point where you can either play or you can't, and he can't.
 

viriya

International Captain
The difference between top 3 and middle order is substantial, but it isn't averaging 21 substantial. Gets to the point where you can either play or you can't, and he can't.
That SL are in a dire situation has been clear for a while, but the point here is that the average comparison is not valid. If anything I expect Vithanage's average to fall flat to the ground. He is just not a Test batsman. I'm not claiming Tharanga is much better but I do think he has more potential. Even in ODIs, Tharanga is in the top 5 most hundreds for SL, shows that he is capable of making that big score.. which is what's important for Tests.
 

91Jmay

International Coach
Maybe he is worth the gamble in the middle order, as he is a good ODI player to be fair. Just think when you are older than your average 18 tests into your career it isn't a good look.
 

Maximas

Cricketer Of The Year
Even as an opener he occasionally makes it past the new ball and goes on to bat quite serenely and his FC/ODI career suggests he can make big scores, given that plus his obvious talent if he had a chance down the order when the movement had died down some he might be able to get past that initial stage more often and make big scores.

Mubarak is a good shout though, while he's old he's coming off a ridiculous FC season and he has a bit of experience at this level, however I don't think the selectors give many ****s about him so I can't see it happening
 

Migara

International Coach
The problem for SL is that our middle order is unsettled. Mathews had to move to customary #5, and throughout the history it was No 3-5 that had been scoring for SL in tests, with few exceptions where Jayasuriya has gone ballistic and Tillekaratne has grafted and grafted for hours.

Chandimal has lost it. Thirimanne is in treacherous form. Vithanage is clueless. Kandambi is too old. Angelo Perera don't give a flying **** about cricket and selectors as he has alternate pathways to shine as a Professional. When are basically in deep shyte. Luckily, Sanaga and Mathews are in a deep purple patch, and Kaushal silva slowly but surely doing his job. Dikwella has not been bad either. Although MJ played well he's soon to leave. If one of these lose their form, we are in deep and thick shyte.
 

Maximas

Cricketer Of The Year
Priyanjan? Chatarunga de Silva? Roshen Silva? Warnapura? Feel like we have a few better alternatives than the ones you listed.

However we are in shyte, 4 people are doing their job with the bat in this team and 1 will be gone very soon and another within 2 years one would think.
 

91Jmay

International Coach
Even as an opener he occasionally makes it past the new ball and goes on to bat quite serenely and his FC/ODI career suggests he can make big scores, given that plus his obvious talent if he had a chance down the order when the movement had died down some he might be able to get past that initial stage more often and make big scores.

Mubarak is a good shout though, while he's old he's coming off a ridiculous FC season and he has a bit of experience at this level, however I don't think the selectors give many ****s about him so I can't see it happening
You not see anything wrong with the bolded? If he is batting so serenely, even on occasion, why is his record so appalling then?
 

Maximas

Cricketer Of The Year
Because he has an obvious problem with the moving ball outside off-stump, my point was that if he batted lower he might negate that problem a little and be able to contribute properly. It just seems to me that he is batting in the worst possible position for a guy with his issues, I say give him a go at 6 if the seleectors feel the alternatives are no good and if that fails drop him for good
 

91Jmay

International Coach
Yeah that is probably worth a go, although batting 6 means in theory he'd be coming in to face the 2nd new ball quite a lot.
 

Migara

International Coach
Priyanjan? Chatarunga de Silva? Roshen Silva? Warnapura? Feel like we have a few better alternatives than the ones you listed.

However we are in shyte, 4 people are doing their job with the bat in this team and 1 will be gone very soon and another within 2 years one would think.
None of them seems to be test batsman. Best I've seen was Chathuranga de Silva, who is esenitally a Sir Jadeja like player. Useful if Perera can contribute with the bat, otherwise it's a massive gamble to have him at 6 or 7.
 

Migara

International Coach
Yeah that is probably worth a go, although batting 6 means in theory he'd be coming in to face the 2nd new ball quite a lot.
If he faces the 2nd cherry, the probablility is that he will give a pasting to the tired bowlers. SL will be terrubly lucky if Tharanga at #6 gets to play the 2nd new ball everytime.
 

Maximas

Cricketer Of The Year
None of them seems to be test batsman. Best I've seen was Chathuranga de Silva, who is esenitally a Sir Jadeja like player. Useful if Perera can contribute with the bat, otherwise it's a massive gamble to have him at 6 or 7.
Ideally Chandimal sorts out his short ball issues and he can bat 6, leaving a guy like Chatarunga to bat 7 and Thirimanne makes a glorious return to form and slots in at 4, suspect we'll be forced to play Thirimanne at 4 in NZ after Mahela is gone
 

Maximas

Cricketer Of The Year
Pakistan in Sri Lanka 2014 : Lahiru Gamage called up as cover for Shaminda Eranga | Cricket News | Global | ESPN Cricinfo

Christ, fast bowlers dropping like flies, Eranga might not be fit for the SSC test starting in a couple of days time, must say I'm rather surprised Lahiru Gamage got called up over Kulesakara, looks like Welegedara and Prasad will be the two seamers. It is good to see Gamage is in the national reckoning though, would be nice if he got a chance to work with Vaas a little bit.
 

Flem274*

123/5
Move Mathews to four when Mahela goes. Honestly that bloke might be the most talented cricketer Sri Lanka have ever produced. I never saw Aravinda but I've never seen someone so consistently comfortable against hooping swing - not even that handy number three you blokes have.
 

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