***Official*** Sri Lanka in England

[Bob Bamber]

Going into the third test England will definiatly want to wrap up the series. They have named the same (albiet weakened) side for each test. But England have done well. Barring injury England are likely not to go in with Jon Lewis. Here's hoping they will produce a good pitch a Trent Bridge.

 

[marc71178]

To me as a SL fan , the saddest feature from the bowling point of view for SL is the failure of Chaminda Vaas in this Test series so far. I know he was injured for a significant period and only passed his fitness to tour just before the Team departed. I wonder if unbeknown to us he is harbouring an injury which is nagging him.

Not the first time he's been a disappointment in England though...

 

[marc71178]

To see England limp like they have in this test series against a poor test side like Sri Lanka makes me very happy as an Aussie with the upcoming Ashes.

An attack that is 60% understrength and missing the best captain available?

Australia only needed to lose 1 bowler and they went to pieces...

 

[marc71178]

For those arguing with AMZ, give it up.

He worships Murali and will stop at nothing to have a dig at Warne.

 

[Dasa]

Tend not to post if I agree with people.

Just found one. Charlie Blythe nabbed 11 for 102 v Australia in 1909. Also, Sonny Ramadhin got nine for 228 v England in 1957.

Having said that - the list of Tests played in May is short.

1902 Edgbaston Eng v Aus
1905 Trent Bridge Eng v Aus
1909 Edgbaston Eng v Aus
1912 OT Aus v SA
1921 Trent Bridge Eng v Aus
1957 Edgbaston Eng v WI
1962 Edgbaston Eng v Pak (started on May 31 - and saw David Allen and Tony Lock share 10)
1965 Edgbaston Eng v NZ - Fred Titmus England's best bowler with 6 wickets
2000 Lord's Eng v Zim - spinning legends Brian Murphy and Chris Schofield
2001 Lord's Eng v Pak - Azhar Mahmood
2002 Lord's Eng v SL - Ruchira Perera and Michael Vaughan (who bowled 14 overs)
2003 Lord's Eng v Zim - Ray Price and Ashley Giles
2004 Lord's Eng v NZ - Ashley Giles and Dan Vettori
2005 Lord's Eng v Ban - Ashley Giles and Mohammad Rafique
2006 Lord's Eng v SL - Monty Panesar and Murali
2006 Edgbaston Eng v SL - Monty Panesar and Murali

Why are Azhar Mahmood and Ruchira Perera on that list?

 

[dinu23]

For those arguing with AMZ, give it up.

He worships Murali and will stop at nothing to have a dig at Warne.

Ooooh! burned by the Marc man!

 

[dinu23]

Three bowlers? And Kapugedera as a specialist batsman at eight? Hmm...

pls, forget that team.

According to well informed sources, Sri lanka are to make three changes for the third test match.

Kapugedara in for Samaraweera
Zoysa in for Kulasekara
Bandara in for Maharoof (pending on the condition of the pitch)

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Why are Azhar Mahmood and Ruchira Perera on that list?

Because...um...I didn't check their bowling styles. My bad.

 

[Jungle Jumbo]

I was going to query that too Hakon. Ruchira Perera could be half excused, but Azhar? Come on...

 

[JASON]

pls, forget that team.

According to well informed sources, Sri lanka are to make three changes for the third test match.

Kapugedara in for Samaraweera
Zoysa in for Kulasekara
Bandara in for Maharoof (pending on the condition of the pitch)

Bringing Kapugedera is a good move, but he is inexperienced and even though Samaraweera has not made any runs, he has 30 odd Test experience and therefore that change would definitely back fire IMO. I would not bring him in place of Samaraweera and put more pressure on the poor guy in his second Test (having struggled in the first).

Zoysa for Kulasekera should have happened at Edgbaston but still better late than never.

" Bandara for Maharoof based on pitch conditions " - that to me is incredible optimism
on the part of SL selectors !!

What do they expect at Trent Bridge - they are bloody eternal optimists hoping that England would prepare a flat dusty surface for SL (and hand it on a Silver Platter to SL ) that will take turn from Day 1 or even from First session perhaps.

What if the pitch is green and its been raining at Notts County for the next 3 days (Whats the weather like BTW - YO HOooo Anyone from the Trent River zone out there ... enlighten us on the weather )

 

[dinu23]

weather looks good for the next five days.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=2803

 

[Craig]

I cant see how anyone in their right mind can think of Flintoff as a better captain than Vaughan. And if anything his bowling has gotten restricted since hes taken over the captaincy. I'd rather give it to Tresco until Vaughan comes back, and id rather Vaughan came back only after showing domestic form.

Well he showed that in the C & G game for Yorkshire against Scotland yeasterday/last night (for me anyway because of time zones). So that is a start so far.

 

[DanielFullard]

Harmison is still no where near ready to be back. He didn't look good at all yesterday down at the Riverside and another CC game and one-day match with us will do him the world of good. usually Id be happy at having Steve in the team but he added very little yesterday and a fully fit Mick Lewis is the preferable choice for me at Durham in this case. Harmy should be in for a few one-dayers for England and its only fair that Plunkett and co are given another chance.

 

[alternative]

What do people think of Flintoff as captain? As good or better then Vaughan?

The other thing I will ask, when Vaughan comes back, who will take over, give it back to Vaughan and to ease a bit of the work load of Flintoff, especially with the Ashes coming up?

Flintoff is good, but Vaughan is much better..

In the case of Vaughan's return i would say Collingwood's spot would be in the line again.. but at the same time Cook is not too far behind as England would most probably look for Collingwood's allround ability rather than just a specialist batsman in Cook.. This would all depend upon how cook and colly would play out till vaughan returns.. but i just say Belly should get another go at the number 3 slot..

 

[alternative]

pls, forget that team.

According to well informed sources, Sri lanka are to make three changes for the third test match.

Kapugedara in for Samaraweera
Zoysa in for Kulasekara
Bandara in for Maharoof (pending on the condition of the pitch)

Forgotten

And what are the chances of Jayasuriya playing ahead of Tharanga in the 3rd Test..

 

[dinu23]

Forgotten

And what are the chances of Jayasuriya playing ahead of Tharanga in the 3rd Test..

nil, I'd say...Tharanga had a bad game but the kid has potential. It's difficult to see him bieng dropped, but Sana might replace one of the other out of form guys. (Thilan, Maharoof)

 

[Anna]

Hoggard only bowled 3 balls at Tharanga & got him out twice

 

[Barney Rubble]

Hoggard only bowled 3 balls at Tharanga & got him out twice

 

[Pedro Delgado]

Hoggard only bowled 3 balls at Tharanga & got him out twice

Hoggard and Tharanga yesterday.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Hoggard and Tharanga yesterday.

Also, check out the URL for the rabbit pic.