***Official*** Sri Lanka in England

[grecian]

Have to say, despite his alarming bowling of wides, I dread to think what scores Sri Lanka would of got without Harmison,

Dalrymples been a find though, I suppose.

I'm generally not that bothered about ODIs, but with the World Cup coming up, I'm a bit worried we're going to be humiliated. Plunkett, Mahmood, Bresnan and Kabir Ali can't keep the runs down in good seam-bowling conditions, what chance have they in the WC.

I'm sorry, but recalls for the likes of cork and gough may be our only option, no matter how utterly depressing that might seem.

 

[wpdavid]

Have to say, despite his alarming bowling of wides, I dread to think what scores Sri Lanka would of got without Harmison,

Dalrymples been a find though, I suppose.

I'm generally not that bothered about ODIs, but with the World Cup coming up, I'm a bit worried we're going to be humiliated. Plunkett, Mahmood, Bresnan and Kabir Ali can't keep the runs down in good seam-bowling conditions, what chance have they in the WC.

I'm sorry, but recalls for the likes of cork and gough may be our only option, no matter how utterly depressing that might seem.

I'm coming around to the idea of Gough too, much as I don't like the idea very much. As you say, avoiding complete humiliation seems to be the sum of our ambitions in the next WC, which ain't going to happen with many of Plunkett, Mahmood, Ali & Bresnan playing. To be fair to Gough, he'd be better for England if they thought about his role a bit. He could conceivably do a job for us coming on after 10 overs and at the death instead of wasting the new ball.

 

[wpdavid]

More inspired captaincy from Strauss. I'm not defending Ali, who's once again bowled like an idiot, but anyone who's watched England over the last couple of years knows that although he can sort of do a job in the middle of an innings, he's always an absolute disaster at the death. So who does Staruss bring back for the 48th over?

 

[Nate]

Pretty funny to witness. Good to see Maharoof and Bandara finishing things off.

 

[Nate]

And how! Maharoof carting them, Bandara playing sensibly.

 

[Barney Rubble]

More inspired captaincy from Strauss. I'm not defending Ali, who's once again bowled like an idiot, but anyone who's watched England over the last couple of years knows that although he can sort of do a job in the middle of an innings, he's always an absolute disaster at the death. So who does Staruss bring back for the 48th over?

Consecutive sixes from Maharoof in the final over so far....

EDIT: Followed by a catch off a no-ball and a four....

 

[Nate]

Telemachuslabumdidium, Lewis and Ali would make a fantastic 20/20 side.

 

[Barney Rubble]

49.6 Ali to Maharoof, no run
49.5 Ali to Bandara, 1 run, another full toss, hit square. It should have been called as it was above waist height but the umpire clearly wants to get off before sunset
49.4 Ali to Bandara, FOUR, the good news is that it actually pitched. The bad news is that it was short and pulled square for another four
49.4 Ali to Maharoof, (no ball) 1 run, guess … go on. Yes, a full toss which Maharoof skies and Jones runs round to take a catch .. but rightly called a no-ball
49.3 Ali to Maharoof, SIX, Ali overcompensates with a short slower ball which is thwacked into the crowd at midwicket.
49.2 Ali to Maharoof, SIX, yet another full toss and it got all it deserved, hammered for six over square leg. Maharoof brings up his fifty and his side’s 300. Ali is dreadful.
49.1 Ali to Bandara, 1 run, another full toss, but only a single this time

 

[Pothas]

oh dear oh dear who is worse Kabir or Mahmood? and do we actualy have anyone else?
I hope Tremlett can get propelry fit because he is miles better than these lot

 

[Barney Rubble]

Telemachuslabumdidium, Lewis and Ali would make a fantastic 20/20 side.

You forgot Matthew "4-0-65-0" Hoggard.

 

[Nate]

For the record, this CricInfo commentary has been the best I`ve ever read over an innings.

"Ali to Bandara, FOUR, the good news is that it actually pitched. The bad news is that it was short and pulled square for another four. "

"Ali is dreadful."

"Ali to Maharoof, (no ball) 1 run, guess … go on. Yes, a full toss which Maharoof skies and Jones runs round to take a catch .. but rightly called a no-ball."

 

[silentstriker]

LOL, the commentator seems a bit bitter, doesn't he? Did Ali insult the commentators' wife or children or something?

 

[TT Boy]

Kabir Ali brought into the one day side because supposedly he can bowl straight and is (to quote Nasser Hussain) a good death ball, precedes to bowl full toss after full toss.

Dear God there is some **** players in are one day set-up.

 

[Nate]

Work BR, on the same page.

Very good total I reckon, the ball should move around a bit, and Sri Lanka picked a bowling orientated side. 4-0?

 

[GIMH]

Have to say, despite his alarming bowling of wides, I dread to think what scores Sri Lanka would of got without Harmison,

Dalrymples been a find though, I suppose.

I'm generally not that bothered about ODIs, but with the World Cup coming up, I'm a bit worried we're going to be humiliated. Plunkett, Mahmood, Bresnan and Kabir Ali can't keep the runs down in good seam-bowling conditions, what chance have they in the WC.

I'm sorry, but recalls for the likes of cork and gough may be our only option, no matter how utterly depressing that might seem.

Was just discussing with my colleagues how bad the World Cup is gonna be

"We're gonna get beat by Zimbabwe"

 

[wpdavid]

LOL, the commentator seems a bit bitter, doesn't he? Did Ali insult the commentators' wife or children or something?

"He"'s a she. I just think she's being more honest and, tbf, if I had to watch this garbage I'd let rip too. Good on her.

 

[Nate]

I know I`m pro-Bracken, but it`s no surprise to see why Bracken`s slower-ball is so much more accurate and effective, as he keeps his body upright, retaining his action. Ali seems to fall away heavily, even more so when bowling his slower ball. It`s a lottery to see if he lands it on the pitch.

 

[TT Boy]

Sri Lanka have got sixty runs too many, should have least set us a score we could not chase successfully of course but at least get close to and make people on this forum think we can actually play one day cricket.

Also why are people now turning on Sajid Mahmood, first test Lords I quote you not people were calling him a "gun" (instead of a the correct term ****), "why do England keep producing fast bowling talent such as this" et cetera et cetera.

 

[Goughy]

I cant think that what happened today surprized anyone. Selection policy is wrong, players have technical issues and no-one seems to care.

That cannot (and is not) the best 11 players available. Selection seems to be based on set criteria and potential rather than who are the best players available.

Stop picking young(ish) guys based on what they may be able to do but pick guys that you know what they are capable of. England must always select the best 11 players or it soon become a joke (though I think we are passed that point already).

 

[TT Boy]

The selection of the one day team is a beyond a farce. Alastair Cook was not even a first team regular for Essex’s one day team last season yet somehow he will now open for us.