***Official*** Sri Lanka in England

[nightprowler10]

I believe the '80 years' bit was from a reference to one of the most-improved second innings performances I heard last night. It was mentioned in almost the same breath as the 7 fifties so may have got chopped or misinterpreted.

All 11 Sri Lankans scored better in the second innings than they did in the first.

Oh I see then.

 

[Barney Rubble]

He made a lot of elementary mistakes through inexperience, but the biggest problem I had was the way he tried to take everything onto his broad shoulders.

I'd rather he didn't captain again - he'll kill himself at this rate.

I think if he felt it was necessary that he bowled all day from one end then he'd do it - that's a very dangerous attitude to have for someone who's as important to us as he is.

Personally, I'd play him as a specialist batsman in all ODI cricket until the Ashes starts - with the possible exception of the Champions' Trophy. He simply must be given a break.

 

[a massive zebra]

http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/engvsl/content/story/247334.html

Tim de Lisle rips into Flintoff's captaincy

Basically he just plagiarised what I said yesterday.

 

[honestbharani]

I think if he felt it was necessary that he bowled all day from one end then he'd do it - that's a very dangerous attitude to have for someone who's as important to us as he is.

Personally, I'd play him as a specialist batsman in all ODI cricket until the Ashes starts - with the possible exception of the Champions' Trophy. He simply must be given a break.

do you honestly think it will happen though? Even if you were the captain and you have put Freddie there as just a batter, when you see the score at 100/0 after 15 overs, you would instinctively give the ball to Freddie. The best way is to rest him from as many ODIs as possible.

 

[Barney Rubble]

do you honestly think it will happen though? Even if you were the captain and you have put Freddie there as just a batter, when you see the score at 100/0 after 15 overs, you would instinctively give the ball to Freddie. The best way is to rest him from as many ODIs as possible.

Freddie's fitness is more important than our ODI form, period. If it means we lose a few ODIs, so be it.

Personally, I wouldn't care if we lost every ODI between now and November by 200 runs, as long as Freddie is 100% fit come the first day of the first Ashes Test.

 

[TT Boy]

Congrats to Sri Lanka, went to Lords on Sunday fully expecting the formalities to be completed in no time but credit to the batsman stuck it out magnificently. Sure most of them were dropped but things could have been a lot different in are innings if KP was given out plumb LBW in front and Tres also. So no point bemoaning are fortune, it’s not unlucky when you drop someone, lucky for the batsman not for the fielding team, unlucky is when you have someone stone in front not dropped.

Changes for the next test match, drop Liam Plunkett, bowled well for a five over period but three and half days spent mostly serving up legside trite and half volleys, looked a better bowler in the roads of Pakistan. Or, I would considering dropping Sajid Mahmood, few good overs on Friday night do not make him what some people here who were calling him on Friday (“star, gun, the next great hope”), who were obliviously caught up with the emotions. Given his a wicket taking bowler but far too much of a liability at this moment in time especially with another young pacer in the side (who has the advantage in Fletcher's eyes anyways of holding a bat). Jon Lewis or a fit Steve Harmison to come in for one of the lads, you can’t have Andrew Flintoff bowling 50 overs in a second innings, especially with England’s program in the next twelve months. Lewis might not be a viable option in the long run but unlike the two above mentioned seamers, he can keep it tight and bowl long spells.

 

[dinu23]

I would rest Vaas, Murali , Mahela +/- Sangakkara.

I would play Sanath, Tharanga, Vandort, Kapugedera, Sanga or Prasanna Jayawardene , Thilan , Dilshan,Maharoof, Nuwan Zoysa, Kulaskera , Malinga.

Because for the second Test the positions that are unsettled are

1- the second openers spot - between Sanath J or Van Dort . IMO Sanath should be picked for second Test regardless, but the next FC Match will help.

2 Kapugedera /Maharoof for number 7 . I would still pick Kapugedera over Maharoof for Edgbaston (despite Maharoofs contribution in last Test - as Maharoof's contribution with the ball is very marginal at present and Kapugedera is a better batsman despite his failure on Debut at Lords) .

3 which 2 seamers should complement Vaas - IMO it should be Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Zoysa for edgbaston. I am sorry for Kulasekera. But while I am grateful for his batting on the final day at Lords I feel Malinga should replace him automatically for Edgbaston.

4 If Maharoof is not picked to bat at 7 (which I feel is a bit risky despite his batting at Lords) , he should not get picked as a bowler , because honestly his bowling was pretty poor and Zoysa is a better option for this purpose.

The match at Hove against Sussex can help answer some of these questions if not all.

I don't htink Vaas will be rested, but there's a good possibility that Mahela,Murali and Sanga being rested. Gives us a chance to see how the others are.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Congrats to Sri Lanka, went to Lords on Sunday fully expecting the formalities to be completed in no time but credit to the batsman stuck it out magnificently. Sure most of them were dropped but things could have been a lot different in are innings if KP was given out plumb LBW in front and Tres also. So no point bemoaning are fortune, it’s not unlucky when you drop someone, lucky for the batsman not for the fielding team, unlucky is when you have someone stone in front not dropped.

Changes for the next test match, drop Liam Plunkett, bowled well for a five over period but three and half days spent mostly serving up legside trite and half volleys, looked a better bowler in the roads of Pakistan. Or, I would considering dropping Sajid Mahmood, few good overs on Friday night do not make him what some people here who were calling him on Friday (“star, gun, the next great hope”), who were obliviously caught up with the emotions. Given his a wicket taking bowler but far too much of a liability at this moment in time especially with another young pacer in the side (who has the advantage in Fletcher's eyes anyways of holding a bat). Jon Lewis or a fit Steve Harmison to come in for one of the lads, you can’t have Andrew Flintoff bowling 50 overs in a second innings, especially with England’s program in the next twelve months. Lewis might not be a viable option in the long run but unlike the two above mentioned seamers, he can keep it tight and bowl long spells.

You're obviously getting Mahmood and Plunkett mixed up. Plunkett was the best bowler by far of the seamers in SL's second innings, that's without getting much use of the new ball. Mahmood is a liability and if Harmison comes back he'll have the pace and bounce of Mahmood covered anyway, Plunkett's bowling is different to everyone else and leaves a far better balance. Having Mahmood is like England going back to 4 bowlers most days, for a small part of a game he might make it feel like England do indeed have 5 bowlers, but it won't last long.

 

[Pedro Delgado]

I agree, Mahmood for Harmison. Plunkett was very unlucky not to bag a good few in the second innings.

 

[albo97056]

I think mahmood definitely has a future with england, whereas plunkett needs a bit more, hes very samey to what has gone before and when it doesnt swing, whats gonna take wickets for him?

 

[Pedro Delgado]

I think mahmood definitely has a future with england, whereas plunkett needs a bit more, hes very samey to what has gone before and when it doesnt swing, whats gonna take wickets for him?

He got more movement off the wicket than Mahmood did. Saj does have a future though, pacey chap.

 

[Scaly piscine]

He got more movement off the wicket than Mahmood did. Saj does have a future though, pacey chap.

Well yea, *if* he can get a bit of stamina and control. I have my reservations as to whether he'll do that, he debuted for England in ODI nearly 2 years ago and still seems totally raw now - coupled with a kinda strange action and release which doesn't seem conducive to having much control and consistency. Plunkett however can maintain accuracy and move the ball around consistently given time and I think there's another yard of pace there as well as he's only just turned 21.

 

[Pedro Delgado]

Well yea, *if* he can get a bit of stamina and control. I have my reservations as to whether he'll do that, he debuted for England in ODI nearly 2 years ago and still seems totally raw now - coupled with a kinda strange action and release which doesn't seem conducive to having much control and consistency. Plunkett however can maintain accuracy and move the ball around consistently given time and I think there's another yard of pace there as well as he's only just turned 21.

Raw pace is a rare commodity, he has it. His wrist position is off and he needs to do some light weights to build stamina, these are things that can be ironed out. Someone needs to get a hold of him and sort him out.

Plunkett is streets ahead as a bowler though clearly (can bat too) and if I had a gun and had to shoot one I'd shoot Saj.

 

[andyc]

Plunkett is streets ahead as a bowler though clearly (can bat too) and if I had a gun and had to shoot one I'd shoot Saj.

Never heard it expressed like that before

 

[Pedro Delgado]

Never heard it expressed like that before

I'm a very peaceful man really and it'd be a water gun.

 

[simmy]

I think Saj has some skills and definitely a future in the England side as he is as close to a Simon Jones fill in as we have.

Another 88mph+ bowler. England are churning them out... good to see!

 

[Nate]

I think Harmison will go in for poor Plunkers and Malinga will go in for poor Kula Saker. Maybe Jayasuriya back in, but I doubt it.

 

[TT Boy]

I think Harmison will go in for poor Plunkers and Malinga will go in for poor Kula Saker. Maybe Jayasuriya back in, but I doubt it.

Why not, it’s not like he has much competition.

Also Malinga could be a handful, troubled the Australians first time around and the New Zealanders did not have a clue. His quite the novelty act, similar to Paul Adams in respect that first time around he will cause problems but once you become accustomed to what he is doing, should be pretty straight forward but unlike what we saw at Lords from the Sri Lankans he does have genuine pace.

 

[Neil Pickup]

For me, Plunkett's place in the XI is safe until Giles returns - Fletch won't entertain the thought of a rabbit at eight.

Kulasekara to open for Sri Lanka...

 

[simmy]

For me, Plunkett's place in the XI is safe until Giles returns - Fletch won't entertain the thought of a rabbit at eight.

Kulasekara to open for Sri Lanka...

True.. but I don't see how much of a difference it will make.

England won't have a problem regards to batting this season.. just whether, and I never thought I would say this, we can get 20 wickets.