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

[mono]

No, I'm not trying to say what exactly would have happened. As Uppercut says, without the rain it's simply a different series.

However, I think that Sri Lanka were generally outplayed for the vast majority of the series, and saying they lost it just from one session is erroneous. They also lost it during all the sessions they couldn't win.

I was also pointing out that if you say they were one session from 0-0, they were also minor factors away from 2-0 or 3-0, as that's the way the game is.

completely agree with bold bit. We never really looked in command. except for very early in the ashes test and a couple of times we were batting.

 

[Himannv]

so saying that it was only that one session that lost them the series isn't true.

But it is true.

If it rains, it rains you know, nothing much either side can do about it. Cant really avoid the rain. However getting bowled out in a session or 2 in the second innings is something we could have avoided. Had we done that the result would have been different.

I dont think anyone is doubting that England were the better team and probably deserved to win the series though.

 

[Howe_zat]

But it is true.

If it rains, it rains you know, nothing much either side can do about it. Cant really avoid the rain. However getting bowled out in a session or 2 in the second innings is something we could have avoided. Had we done that the result would have been different.

I dont think anyone is doubting that England were the better team and probably deserved to win the series though.

No, it isn't.

What lost them the series was:

1. Getting into a position where they had to bat for the draw in Cardiff
2. Failing
3. Being outplayed for the rest of the series, and thus unable to win a match.

When you're down in the series, every session that points to a draw is losing.

 

[Himannv]

Fair enough. I'd agree with that.

 

[Uppercut]

No, it isn't.

What lost them the series was:

1. Getting into a position where they had to bat for the draw in Cardiff
2. Failing
3. Being outplayed for the rest of the series, and thus unable to win a match.

When you're down in the series, every session that points to a draw is losing.

Reversing any one of those three things would have been sufficient to tie the series. So it is still true, but I get the point, I just disagree on the technicality you're arguing about.

 

[Howe_zat]

All right then. Not going to argue semantics.

 

[GIMH]

If the mad session at cardiff doesn't happen, the rest of the series changes course. Pretty pointless to say "it would have been 0-0 but for that" as we can't know that.

It's also pretty pointless to remove such a gun performance from our bowlers anyway and I agree with jake, it's pretty much the same as removing Dilshan's 193

I don't think SL have had a good summer. Regardless of coulda woulda shoulda, they were pretty bloody poor for long periods of all the Test matches and as World Cup runners-up, I don't think being 2-2 with 1 to play in an ODI series is anything to shout about.

 

[Howe_zat]

...and as World Cup runners-up, I don't think being 2-2 with 1 to play in an ODI series is anything to shout about.

That's oddly self-depreciative for you, isn't it?

I'd say both England and Sri Lanka have one-day sides very sensitive to conditions, and England are a good side at home. They've done pretty well if they can win the last ODI.

 

[Himannv]

I don't think SL have had a good summer. Regardless of coulda woulda shoulda, they were pretty bloody poor for long periods of all the Test matches and as World Cup runners-up, I don't think being 2-2 with 1 to play in an ODI series is anything to shout about.

I dont think we're shouting about anything. It was commonly accepted that we were the underdogs in the test series and all that was said about the one day series is that we were a far better side in this format which I dont think anyone can really deny. Some credit to be given to England here as well, they have been on top of their game for a while and when conditions suit them they are an exceptional side. Worthy opponents and we will cherish beating them in the last ODI.

 

[GIMH]

That's oddly self-depreciative for you, isn't it?

I'd say both England and Sri Lanka have one-day sides very sensitive to conditions, and England are a good side at home. They've done pretty well if they can win the last ODI.

Yeah it is, but at the end of the day SL's sense of achievement shouldn't be based around my expectations.

I personally think any team that comes here and scores a run or takes a wicket should be pleased, because we're awesome.

I dont think we're shouting about anything. It was commonly accepted that we were the underdogs in the test series and all that was said about the one day series is that we were a far better side in this format which I dont think anyone can really deny. Some credit to be given to England here as well, they have been on top of their game for a while and when conditions suit them they are an exceptional side. Worthy opponents and we will cherish beating them in the last ODI.

No, you're right, it was in response to Xuhaib's comment that you have done well on this tour.

 

[mono]

I expected more from the ODI's We beat Australia in Australia convincingly and obliterated england the last time we came here. This time around the performance has been very very patchy. We need to score 350+ in the last match to restore SL in my eyes.

We did just as badly in the test series as I had hoped it's just that I overestimated england.

 

[Spark]

Apparently Broad's been dropped for Patel. Several games late and it'll do him good IMO, but it still grates to see an otherwise quality ODI seamer being left out whilst Jade bloody Dernbach is playing.

 

[Uppercut]

England batting. Pitch is slow and low, apparently. I like the look of Sri Lanka at 13/10.

 

[The_roc]

Apparently Broad's been dropped for Patel. Several games late and it'll do him good IMO, but it still grates to see an otherwise quality ODI seamer being left out whilst Jade bloody Dernbach is playing.

Credit to Cookie for the way he handled the interview with Nick Knight after the toss.

Knight: Broads not injured is he, so he's been dropped?

Cookie; Its a tacticle change

 

[Spark]

That pitch looks absolutely dreadful.

 

[MW1304]

Can see Pietersen bowling a few over today, too.

Pitch and outfield look bloody horrible - Sri Lanka massive favourites from here, especially chasing. Home advantage FTL.

 

[Jarquis]

England batting. Pitch is slow and low, apparently. I like the look of Sri Lanka at 13/10.

No. Marc did this to me last game. No. No. No.

 

[Jarquis]

If the pitch is as bad as it sounds though. Don't fancy CK for a score.

 

[Spark]

Seriously if I was playing then I'd get out for a globe no matter who was bowling because I'd be too distracted by how horrifyingly bad that pitch looks. I don't mean "it looks like it'll play badly" - thought it may well - it genuinely looks awful.

 

[Uppercut]

It looks a bit cloudy. England might have bowled.