***Official*** Sri Lanka in England

[marc71178]

To be fair, the Sussex first team are top of their division - only about 3 or 4 of that side is playing.

 

[NZTailender]

Kapugedera

 

[Neil Pickup]

I have no idea who half this Sussex team are.

 

[Goughy]

Neither Giles or Monty are quality spinners.

The debate must come from the pov based on what is more important. Is it the extra batting Giles provides or the extra potential and development playing Monty gives.

 

[Goughy]

Theirfore England have the luxury of extending the batting & could have Flintoff batting down at #7 which he shoud since he is England best bowler & for the workload he does he should not be batting in the top 6 at all..

Could not agree more. There is never a need to play 5 specialist bowlers. 4 plus a couple of guys to fill in over a long innings if needed is all that is required

 

[Pothas]

Could not agree more. There is never a need to play 5 specialist bowlers. 4 plus a couple of guys to fill in over a long innings if needed is all that is required

Yes there is. In the ashes the fact that England had 5 quality bowlers was crucial, obviously they are only able to do this because of Freddy but it gave them such a huge advantage of Australia who run out of options very quickly

I would argue there is never any need to play 7 specilaist batsmen (not including the keeper) atleast for a good and posotive side anyway.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Yes there is. In the ashes the fact that England had 5 quality bowlers was crucial, obviously they are only able to do this because of Freddy but it gave them such a huge advantage of Australia who run out of options very quickly

I would argue there is never any need to play 7 specilaist batsmen (not including the keeper) atleast for a good and posotive side anyway.

England had 4 quality bowlers against Australia. Australia ran out of options because they had at most 2 bowlers bowling quality in any given Test. This was what was crucial, not the fact that England had 5 bowlers and Australia 4.

 

[marc71178]

I know it's harsh to downplay Harmison Scaly, but he was also a quality bowler in that series.

 

[JASON]

I think the our batsmen have done well here. Don't forget Sussex are on top of their division this season. I don't think Sanath will make it to the team now. Moody would want to prove a point to De Mel by sticking with Vandort or Mubarak.

But De Mel is going to be in England for the next 2 Tests, and he will be just outside the door when the tour selectors select the Team.

Moody will do well to heed De Mel. (and just because the Team did well to save the Test at Lords does not mean the slate has been wiped clean WRT Moody).

And Moody will need a bullet if he picks Mubarak again. So the choice IMO is between Sanath J and Vandort , and I know who most Sri Lankans want to play in the Second Test !

 

[JASON]

I think the our batsmen have done well here. Don't forget Sussex are on top of their division this season.

To be fair, the Sussex first team are top of their division - only about 3 or 4 of that side is playing.

And that was my point.

 

[dinu23]

But De Mel is going to be in England for the next 2 Tests, and he will be just outside the door when the tour selectors select the Team.

Moody will do well to heed De Mel. (and just because the Team did well to save the Test at Lords does not mean the slate has been wiped clean WRT Moody).

And Moody will need a bullet if he picks Mubarak again. So the choice IMO is between Sanath J and Vandort , and I know who most Sri Lankans want to play in the Second Test !

there is uncertainty about De Mel going to England. It seems the team management don't want him to come.

 

[dinu23]

And that was my point.

you're right. All the bowlers in this Sussex team are pretty mediocre, apart from Kirtley.It's dissapointing they didn't play their top players.

 

[sideshowtim]

Do England have a fielding coach or not? Their fielding has never, ever been great but it was exposed against Sri Lanka last test, they really need to do something about it because that level of fielding in the Ashes won't be good enough. In the Ashes it wasn't even that great, ours was just much worse.

 

[JBH001]

Moody will do well to heed De Mel. (and just because the Team did well to save the Test at Lords does not mean the slate has been wiped clean WRT Moody).

And Moody will need a bullet if he picks Mubarak again. So the choice IMO is between Sanath J and Vandort , and I know who most Sri Lankans want to play in the Second Test !

And why should he heed De Mel?
Was it not De Mel who a few months ago said that Sanath ought to have retired a few months previously?
And then after his appointment as Chairman of Selectors then changes his off key tune and says that Sanath is required?
The same De Mel who whatever his reservations regarding his national side, has to make them public to all and sundry on the eve of a Test Match, thus perhaps crucially undermining the confidence of a couple of young openers?
And now a rusty and untried Jaya with little or no match play is supposed to come in and save Sri Lanka?

No thanks, I dont think theres any need to heed De Mel.
If there was any confirmation needed that the man is the prize prats of prize prats he has given it and then some in the course of the last few weeks.

I do agree though that Moody should be shot if he chooses Mubarak again.
But I do believe Vandort should be given another go.
Especially because - as far as I know - barring Jayas 200 odd at The Oval all those years ago, his record in England isnt all that flash. Especially in the last series in 2002 where he averaged SFA.

 

[chaminda_00]

A bit late but well done to Kapu for his 1st FC hundred.

 

[sideshowtim]

Yeah, Sri Lanka doing really well in Sussex. They seem to be fitting into this tour very well.

 

[Laurrz]

Lankans rae definately hitting their straps and England should be worried... they are a dangerous side who can beat the top side here and there IMO

Jayasuriya must play... they didn't pick him for this sussex match which was weird but if he doesn't play against England OMG dat is so stupid

Zoysa and Malinga should also play and take Kula and Kapu's spot .... IMO

 

[superkingdave]

Do England have a fielding coach or not? Their fielding has never, ever been great but it was exposed against Sri Lanka last test, they really need to do something about it because that level of fielding in the Ashes won't be good enough. In the Ashes it wasn't even that great, ours was just much worse.

We had Trevor Penney last year, but he's now the Sri Lankan assistant coach.

 

[marc71178]

you're right. All the bowlers in this Sussex team are pretty mediocre, apart from Kirtley.It's dissapointing they didn't play their top players.

Disappointing, but understandable.

The county sides are all about Championship success, so with so many games, they will rest a lot of players.

It can work the other way though, those on the verge of a place can potentially break in with a big game, I think Yardy did last year, so they will probably be making more effort than if the "first" team were playing.

 

[sideshowtim]

We had Trevor Penney last year, but he's now the Sri Lankan assistant coach.

Ah yeah, I remember that bloke fielded for you in the Ashes.