**Official** Sri Lanka in England / Scotland - 2011

[BoyBrumby]

Love Nass so much. Never afraid to go for the throat, no matter who he's interviewing.

 

[Jacknife]

Love Nass so much. Never afraid to go for the throat, no matter who he's interviewing.

What did Cook say to him at the end when asked about dropping Kies for not letting him get his ton, something about 'red inkers'.

 

[Howe_zat]

Love Nass so much. Never afraid to go for the throat, no matter who he's interviewing.

What has he said?

 

[Howe_zat]

So, should be Jimmy for MotM. Took apart a very good top order and without that it'd be different game.

Cook will get it, though, as it's a batsman's award nine times out of ten.

 

[MW1304]

What did Cook say to him at the end when asked about dropping Kies for not letting him get his ton, something about 'red inkers'.

Just think it was something like "We're like you Nass, we love red inkers" in his usual bumbling style.

 

[Himannv]

No, but there has been a complaint that the wicket apparently did "a complete 180" during the tea break.

Thats rubbish. Fully deserved victory for England, they were fantastic on the day. We just played exceptionally poor cricket all round. Batsmen need to learn to do well in all conditions. Somewhat surprised by the performance of the bowlers though, we aren't usually this bad, an off day perhaps. Need to pick the right captain sooner rather than later instead of these temporary interim choices. At least give it to Sanga until making a call on it (oh wait he commited career suicide yesterday, idiot).

 

[Howe_zat]

If there's one thing Sangakkara's not, it's an idiot. Did you hear his speech?

 

[mono]

Thats rubbish. Fully deserved victory for England, they were fantastic on the day. We just played exceptionally poor cricket all round. Batsmen need to learn to do well in all conditions. Somewhat surprised by the performance of the bowlers though, we aren't usually this bad, an off day perhaps. Need to pick the right captain sooner rather than later instead of these temporary interim choices. At least give it to Sanga until making a call on it (oh wait he commited career suicide yesterday, idiot).

Sanga is a pretty awful captain if you ask me. Mahela is the man we need, but he refuses to step up.

 

[Jarquis]

Cook is scary good right now.

 

[Howe_zat]

From the BBC commentary:

"I've cracked this. England can only beat Sri Lanka in ODIs at grounds with three vowels. Lord's and Headingley, no chance. The Oval, Trent Bridge, business done, now bring on Old Trafford. Series victory beckons!"

 

[zaremba]

England really are becoming "slap or be slapped" specialists aren't they? Happened in the last 2 Ashes series and now seem to be exchanging drubbings with the Sri Lankans in similar style.

 

[BoyBrumby]

What has he said?

Cook mentioned about the Notts groundsman leaving a bit of grass on as England had asked and Nasser asked him if preparing pitches that favour the home bowlers is the best prep for games outside of England on less conducive decks.

 

[mono]

England really are becoming "slap or be slapped" specialists aren't they? Happened in the last 2 Ashes series and now seem to be exchanging drubbings with the Sri Lankans in similar style.

Sri lanka has a tendency to be "slap or be slapped" as well. I hope we get a sunny day at old trafford and hopefully a slow pitch.

 

[Howe_zat]

Cook mentioned about the Notts groundsman leaving a bit of grass on as England had asked and Nasser asked him if preparing pitches that favour the home bowlers is the best prep for games outside of England on less conducive decks.

I see his point, but when there's nothing you can do about the opposition preparing a deck against you, might as well give it back to them. Better to give yourself the best chance at winning and improve your own players' form and confidence.

England really are becoming "slap or be slapped" specialists aren't they? Happened in the last 2 Ashes series and now seem to be exchanging drubbings with the Sri Lankans in similar style.

Happening across formats for about a year and a half, I'd say. Even the Test series against the Lankans was either slap or get slapped by the weather.

 

[Himannv]

If there's one thing Sangakkara's not, it's an idiot. Did you hear his speech?

Agree completely with what he said in his speech and aplaud the points made. Everyone in Sri Lanka knows what he said is true. However, its a foolish move to make statements like this to global media. Look at Mahela as an example, he has many faults but he's very diplomatic. He doesn't get himself into trouble by throwing pride and arrogance out there. He uses his head. Sanga has never had much of a diplomatic side to him and has always been a man in the moment type of guy. Probably the reason why Mahela comes across as a better captain, regardless of onfield decisions. Anyways Sanga and his speech has its own thread so lets not derail this one too far.

Sanga is a pretty awful captain if you ask me. Mahela is the man we need, but he refuses to step up.

I agree. Only reason I didn't suggest him is because we need him to focus on his batting as much as possible these days IMO.

 

[GIMH]

Cook's form really is amazing. Always thought he might be able to do a job in ODIs without ever being effective. Never ever expected to see an innings like that.

Notable as well that there were plenty of dot balls, he wasn't playing crazy cricket. But when a chance to score came, he took it.

Great player and still only 26. Could be our best batsman since....a long time ago.

 

[Howe_zat]

Cook as captain in ODIs has played 7 innings with an average of 71 and strike rate of 95.

 

[Howe_zat]

Whoops, almost forgot

I see Sri Lanka are using the Boycott scenario with Cook. Keep him out there as he can't hurt you in the final overs?

Just **** off Cook altogether. I couldn't really care if he's a captain - he's still a rubbish OD player.

The problems Cook. Obviously we can't drop him but quite frankly if we didn't have to pick him then the top 3 would be
Trott
A.Keeper
Pietersen
Imo. But as it is Cook takes Trotts role and then JT has to make his home somewhere in the middle order, which isn't where he usually bats in List A cricket, and we run the risk of a Cook/Trott partnership leaving us 60/1 after 18 or something.

It's such a damning indictment when someone scores a ton and you come away thinking that maybe they shouldn't have played.

 

[Jarquis]

I'm not a hater and my point stands. The problem with balancing our side (see quote out of context does that) is Cook. Frankly he's not a better List A batsman than Trott and having those two in the top 3 can and will prove to be problematic at times.

 

[Howe_zat]

And on other occasions it's going to be excellent. You're just not going to convince me that having our two best Test batsmen in the ODI team is a problem.