***Official*** Sri Lanka in England and Ireland 2014

[Adders]

Matthews should get a couple of Mitchell Johnson masks made up for his quicks........don't reckon Broad would be looking so comfortable then.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Last 50 runs since Prior got out Root has got 6.

 

[Pothas]

There are runs for Broad here if wants them, which he probably doesn't.

 

[Adders]

There are runs for Broad here if wants them, which he probably doesn't.

He's looking pretty keen for them to me.

This is some really good hitting (even if it is ****e bowling)

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Almost declaration batting at present but no need to pull out at all with the speed we have scored at. Can go another hour after lunch if we wanted there is so much time left.

 

[Pothas]

Yeah I am not going to complain about him playing this way in this situation although even here there have been a couple of needless attempted slogs.

He really should be a very good number 8 though.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

Nothing welcomes the English summer in like a full on troll innings from Broad. WAFG.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

He really should be a very good number 8 though.

Agreed, he has a very good record for a lower order player but you know deep down he should have a better one. The amount of times he has gone in and had a reckless slog when we needed a sensible knock with the proper bat at the other end can not be forgotten.

 

[Bahnz]

That should be out, but I bet the 3rd umpire pussies out.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

I wouldn't have complained had it been given. Understand why it wasn't though.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

They never give the line belongs to the wicket keeper ones.

 

[Bahnz]

Bit of justice there. Fun innings anyway.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Crap way to get out, should have got his 50 there.

 

[Flem274*]

pity he didn't get 50 but it was his own fault

 

[Bahnz]

Oh dear Sri Lanka.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Good god that was a dolly.

 

[CWB304]

Agreed, he has a very good record for a lower order player but you know deep down he should have a better one. The amount of times he has gone in and had a reckless slog when we needed a sensible knock with the proper bat at the other end can not be forgotten.

You could say the same for someone like Pietersen. This kind of flawed thinking - let's punish him by denigrating him as just a "lower order player", because he hasn't kicked on and improved as much as we wanted him to - results in poor decision making. Like promoting debutant Jordan ahead of Broad in the batting order. Absolutely senseless. Glad that the brief innings today once again showcased his ability to take the game away from the opposition. He is not a lower order player; he is an all rounder with a suspect technique against the short ball. If he can be persuaded to work within those limitations and cut out some of the uncontrolled hooking and pulling then there isn't a more useful bowling all rounder in the game. He can take the game away from even top teams - and you simply can't legislate for that.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Good entertaining morning that. Root improved after a sticky opening half hour and the run rate from Jordan and Broad was impressive. Plunkett can bat so we should look to carry on for a while yet and get as many now when the bowlers are tired.

Better watching this than going along at 2.5 an over and trying to grind the opposition slowly.

 

[social]

Broad is a legitimate 9/10 in test cricket albeit with a no. 7's talent

Fact is that he doesn't have it in him to stick it out

No biggie as long as he continues to bowl well

 

[Goughy]

Interesting session.

Looking forward to watching Jordan bowl in Tests. Only seen him in the limited over stuff and he is really mechanical and looks to lack fluidity - not a natural looking bowler. We will see how he fits in with the long stuff.