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

[Jacknife]

dilshan is a smart cricketer, you can see it especially in his bowling. but i'm skeptical about his ability strategize in the scale that is required to marshal an entire team in a test match. He might lack the perceptive that is necessary for success at that level.

But the biggest problem I see here is his character. Dilshan is an egotist, this isn't even a secret in Sri Lanka. I don't know if such a person has the temprement to captain Sri Lanka. especially a young Sri lankan team that for the most part hasn't played in England.

The burden of captaincy might also severely inhibit his game. dilshan bats the best when he is instinctual & unrestrained. This element of freedom might go away if has to be 'responsible' for the sake of the team. So there is bit of a loose-loose situation there as well.

All in all i expect this to be a tough tour for SL. most of our guys are very weak against swing bowling and the early English summer is particularly swing friendly. I expect to see alot of slip catches as our guys, in the typical subcontinent style, will play away from the body and get a lot of nicks. I sort of expect Sanga & Samaraweera to do well, as they have compact techniches. Mahela will probably struggle early on but hopefully he'll hit a sublime knock out of nowhere, which seems to be his M.O these days. Malinga will be interesting, as i have never seen him play in conditions like this. Hopefully, he'll do what waqar did in 1996. Hopefully!

Apparently he won't be playing in England in the Test matches, just the one day stuff.

 

[tooextracool]

dilshan is a smart cricketer, you can see it especially in his bowling. but i'm skeptical about his ability strategize in the scale that is required to marshal an entire team in a test match. He might lack the perceptive that is necessary for success at that level.

But the biggest problem I see here is his character. Dilshan is an egotist, this isn't even a secret in Sri Lanka. I don't know if such a person has the temprement to captain Sri Lanka. especially a young Sri lankan team that for the most part hasn't played in England.

The burden of captaincy might also severely inhibit his game. dilshan bats the best when he is instinctual & unrestrained. This element of freedom might go away if has to be 'responsible' for the sake of the team. So there is bit of a loose-loose situation there as well.

All in all i expect this to be a tough tour for SL. most of our guys are very weak against swing bowling and the early English summer is particularly swing friendly. I expect to see alot of slip catches as our guys, in the typical subcontinent style, will play away from the body and get a lot of nicks. I sort of expect Sanga & Samaraweera to do well, as they have compact techniches. Mahela will probably struggle early on but hopefully he'll hit a sublime knock out of nowhere, which seems to be his M.O these days. Malinga will be interesting, as i have never seen him play in conditions like this. Hopefully, he'll do what waqar did in 1996. Hopefully!

He toured England on their last tour. Was about as average as he's more or less been throughout his test career.

 

[Howe_zat]

Sri Lanka National Team for the upcoming tour of EnglandSri Lanka Cricket | Sri Lanka Cricket

No Malinga.

 

[superkingdave]

Whats the likely first test line up from that?

 

[Howe_zat]

No idea really. Top five should stay the same, with either Chandimal or Thirimanne filling the #6. PJ is the only named wicketkeeper so will presumably keep his spot, but I suppose he could be dropped and so both Chandimal and Thirimanne will play.

Spinners are two out of Randiv, Herath and Mendis. I'd go without Mendis as it's fairly even and he'd lengthen the tail a bit much. Fast bowling seems quite shaky and any two of the four named (Lakmal, Fernando, Welegedera, Pradeep) could start. Given it's England in May, Lakmal may well get some swing and Welegedera gives some variety, so I'd go for them.

 

[Neil Pickup]

I'd be surprised to see two out and out spinners with Dilshan in the team to fill that role if required, particularly as Mathews is absent so the third seamer would be Jayawardene... I would expect Thissara Perera at eight, followed by two from Lakmal/Welegedera/Fernando dependent on their early tour form, and the three spinners fighting for the other spot. Mendis really doesn't seem to be that highly thought of as the novelty wears off, so it's Herath's experience versus Randiv's potential. I'd be inclined to go Herath, but I couldn't tell you why.

 

[Howe_zat]

Ah, I'd forgotten about Perera. Fair point about Dilshan.

 

[Migara]

No idea really. Top five should stay the same, with either Chandimal or Thirimanne filling the #6. PJ is the only named wicketkeeper so will presumably keep his spot, but I suppose he could be dropped and so both Chandimal and Thirimanne will play.

Spinners are two out of Randiv, Herath and Mendis. I'd go without Mendis as it's fairly even and he'd lengthen the tail a bit much. Fast bowling seems quite shaky and any two of the four named (Lakmal, Fernando, Welegedera, Pradeep) could start. Given it's England in May, Lakmal may well get some swing and Welegedera gives some variety, so I'd go for them.

Chandimal is a wicket keeper too. In fact there are four very good keepers in that squad, (PJ, Sanga, Chandimal and Dilshan). But PJ might take the gloves.

Not naming Kaushal Silva is a big mistake, who could have been the keeper instead of PJ. Since there will be no all roundet, SL will go for three seamers and one spinner.

Dilshan, Paranavithana, Sanga, MJ, Sam, Chandimal, PJ, Randiv, Perera, Feranando and Lakmal would be my picks. Batting will be particularly deep in that team going down to #9.

 

[Spark]

Will probably follow this series reasonably closely.

Forgive my ignorance, but how do people expect the SL batting to fare in England?

 

[Howe_zat]

Chandimal is a wicket keeper too. In fact there are four very good keepers in that squad, (PJ, Sanga, Chandimal and Dilshan). But PJ might take the gloves.

I know Chandimal keeps, why I said he could take the gloves. I meant that as PJ has been named as the keeper on the official site I linked, that would be an indication that he'll keep his spot.

 

[Lostman]

Chandimal is a wicket keeper too. In fact there are four very good keepers in that squad, (PJ, Sanga, Chandimal and Dilshan). But PJ might take the gloves.

Not naming Kaushal Silva is a big mistake, who could have been the keeper instead of PJ. Since there will be no all roundet, SL will go for three seamers and one spinner.

I agree, this would have been the perfect time to place Kaushal Silva in the WK spot, but I think Mathews injury has saved PJ for this tour at least.
Dont think they want to play more than 1 rookie in the top 7.
So the number 6 spot will be between Chandimal and Thirnamine.

Dont have many complains with the selected squad. Though the selection of 3 spinners to tour England in May is a bit out there, but given the injuries to Mathews, Thushara and Malinga this is the best we got.

My first XI would be;
Paranavithana
Dilshan
Sanga
Mahela J
Samara
Chandimal
PJ
Randiv
Lakmal
Pradeep
Mendis

Not convinced that Perera is test standard, bowling is more suitable for ODI's.

 

[Lostman]

Will probably follow this series reasonably closely.

Forgive my ignorance, but how do people expect the SL batting to fare in England?

I expect the batting to be decent, but looking at the bowling I am worried how they are going to take 20 wickets.
Mendis was bowling well recently, so all my hopes are on him.

 

[Furball]

Will probably follow this series reasonably closely.

Forgive my ignorance, but how do people expect the SL batting to fare in England?

Reckon the batting will be ok, although none of the big guns iirc have a good record in England.

Reckon that sans Murali, the bowling might be a bit shocking. Sri Lanka have only won twice in England, both times relying heavily on Murali (2nd innings wickets count in those 2 wins: Murali 17, run outs 2, Jayasuriya 1)

 

[vcs]

Yeah, Mahela and Sanga will be really looking to leave their stamp because this could be their last tour to England. Will be around 37-38 by the next time they get an opportunity.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Quite pleased Malinga not in the squad, the only bowler they have that i genuinely fear. Think this should be a series win for England against that attack, best Sri Lanka can do is hope they bat out 3 draws.

 

[vcs]

I would expect Randiv to be quite a threat if the track is turning a bit. He needs a bit of assistance from the track as he does not spin it big on flat surfaces like Swann, but he'd certainly come into play as the match progresses.

 

[GIMH]

Reckon there's a good chance of 3-0 if the weather holds up

 

[hang on]

sri lanka are not that good, surely. could, perhaps, see it if it were the indians.

 

[Howe_zat]

 

[BoyBrumby]

Think the SL batting/ English weather will deny us a clean sweep, but would be a major shock if we don't win the series.

SL bowling looks rank ordinary.