Sri Lanka vs England (Two tests)

[The Speaker]

Unusually short series - just the two tests and nothing else.

Jayawardene has done is usual trick of smashing it around at home - 168* out of 8/289 after day one.

 

[Torz]

Monty back to his comical ways in the field, dropping Mahela twice in quick succession.

I still think they're in with a good chance if they pass 300 tomorrow. A lot of work for Herath and Randiv to do though.

 

[Pera]

Batting strip is a peach. England will be frustrated but not too many demons in this track.

 

[JUBJUB]

Anyone know where I can get a copy of 'How To Catch A Ball by Monty Panesar' DVD ?
I suppose I should try the comedy section of my local DVD shop.

Good old Monty,still making Phil Tufnell look like a fielding legend.

 

[DrVanNostrand]

Bizzare that it's only two tour games and two Tests - I thought SLC only wanted ODI/T20 series because of thier money troubles.

Pitch is an absolute road. Englang should be glad the got the wickets they did, I wouldn't be too frustrated with getting 8 wickets on day one. I'd just be pissed at Monty for two absolute goobers. Commentators reckon the pitch will deteriate/crumble a lot as the match goes on, but I doubt it. There's so much dead grass rolled into the surface that should keep it together for the most of the match, and no way would the groundsman risk getting reported for a supposedly "poor" pitch again after the Australia series. Personally, I'd love to see another dusty turner from day one.

Love the ICC's program at the moment. As soon as one Test series ends, another starts. NZ/RSA --> SL/Eng --> WI/Aus. Thank you, Mr. Lorgat.

 

[evdo1706]

Mahela is a classy batsman, I never understood why he fails so badly outside subcontinent. I mean I can see why a Sehwag fails, but Mahela has a good footwork and he's technically pretty sound, so an average of 32 for a batsman of his class is pretty strange. Even Sanga averages just 40 which is also quite low. Is it because of the fact that they get to play so few matches outside? I think countries like Aus, Eng etc. should host SL more often now, they are a top team.

 

[evdo1706]

Bizzare that it's only two tour games and two Tests - I thought SLC only wanted ODI/T20 series because of thier money troubles.

Pitch is an absolute road. Englang should be glad the got the wickets they did, I wouldn't be too frustrated with getting 8 wickets on day one. I'd just be pissed at Monty for two absolute goobers. Commentators reckon the pitch will deteriate/crumble a lot as the match goes on, but I doubt it. There's so much dead grass rolled into the surface that should keep it together for the most of the match, and no way would the groundsman risk getting reported for a supposedly "poor" pitch again after the Australia series. Personally, I'd love to see another dusty turner from day one.

Love the ICC's program at the moment. As soon as one Test series ends, another starts. NZ/RSA --> SL/Eng --> WI/Aus. Thank you, Mr. Lorgat.

India were scheduled to play 3 test matches in SL this year, but SLC requested BCCI to change that to ODIs/T20s

and yes I would take a dustbowl any day over a flat road. There is definitely a double standard regarding the pitch. If you make a green top and match gets over in 2-3 days, you are hailed as a great curator, but a spinning track with a similar result brings you flak from all corners.

 

[Hue_Jars]

India were scheduled to play 3 test matches in SL this year, but SLC requested BCCI to change that to ODIs/T20s

and yes I would take a dustbowl any day over a flat road. There is definitely a double standard regarding the pitch. If you make a green top and match gets over in 2-3 days, you are hailed as a great curator, but a spinning track with a similar result brings you flak from all corners.

England were terrible against Paksitan on low spinning pitches. Dont really fancy their chances against spin here either. A lot of it is mental. They never do well in Asia.

Sri Lanka and India play a hell of a lot of one dayers against each other...

 

[Carbine Chaos]

I'm sure England would have been working hard in training against spin.

And, with all due respect to the pair, Herath and Randiv are nowhere near the class of Saeed Ajmal.

 

[Stig O'Hara]

Monty back to his comical ways in the field, dropping Mahela twice in quick succession.

I still think they're in with a good chance if they pass 300 tomorrow. A lot of work for Herath and Randiv to do though.

Poor old Monty, that was a ten minute horror show. The first one at fine leg you could say was a toughie, but that second one when he clapped his hands together and prayed to whoever was goddawful. Then they hid him at mid-on and the ball kept chasing him, poor bugger, he'd bowled fairly well. Thing is, he's got hands on him like saucepans.

Great knock from Jayawardene, the crowd was huge, probably 70/30 the Poms way.

Did notice Patel is a left arm bowler, but throws right handed in the outfield.

 

[Torz]

I'm sure England would have been working hard in training against spin.

And, with all due respect to the pair, Herath and Randiv are nowhere near the class of Saeed Ajmal.

Oh, totally agree. Ajmal is quality. I can see Herath doing some damage, but I wasn't impressed with Randiv when the Australians toured there last time.

 

[Stig O'Hara]

Sri Lanka all out 318. Jimmy Anderson with a very nice 5 fa.

Jayawardene an even better 180.

Cook goes lbw in the second over, didn't bother reviewing it.

 

[Hue_Jars]

I'm sure England would have been working hard in training against spin.

And, with all due respect to the pair, Herath and Randiv are nowhere near the class of Saeed Ajmal.

Hope Sri lanka rip them a new one

 

[Cooldude]

Trott just took a dive Italian style. No that doesn't mean you can get away with being stumped

 

[dumb]

3/43 and strauss gone, in a spot of bother here is engerlund

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Hope Sri lanka rip them a new one

Me too, mate. Me too.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Will be interesting too see how Samit Patel fares with the bat...apparently he's pretty hungry for some runs.

 

[damochandler]

have they stopped sweeping straight balls yet.

 

[Stig O'Hara]

The much vaunted English top order has deckchaired once again.

5/72 - can they get past the follow on????

 

[damochandler]

another failure for Kp and strauss. how long have they got in this team do you think

 

[JUBJUB]

another failure for Kp and strauss. how long have they got in this team do you think

Another left-hander gets Strauss

 

[Cooldude]

Is it Tony Grieg in with the skysports commentary crew? He fits right in

Him and Beefy in the com box together is like a wet Pommy dream

 

[krisholio14]

Mahela is a classy batsman, I never understood why he fails so badly outside subcontinent. I mean I can see why a Sehwag fails, but Mahela has a good footwork and he's technically pretty sound, so an average of 32 for a batsman of his class is pretty strange. Even Sanga averages just 40 which is also quite low. Is it because of the fact that they get to play so few matches outside? I think countries like Aus, Eng etc. should host SL more often now, they are a top team.

I think you'll find most batsmen don't perform as well away from home. As you'd expect really.

 

[krisholio14]

And as I say that the collapse continues - 6/93

 

[Doodlesweaver]

Is it Tony Grieg in with the skysports commentary crew? He fits right in

Him and Beefy in the com box together is like a wet Pommy dream

Nauseating. I can handle Beefy about as much as I can Healy. Not at all.

Luckily the radio commentators are a bit more palatable. Even with Boycott firing clumsy barbs left right and centre.

I'd like Patel to have done well, he's fun to watch once he gets going.