DCB
Well-known member
So, here we go, Sri Lanka win the toss, England put in to bat, conditions look good overhead and underfoot. Cook and Robson ready to get underway. Here we go 
Test Match Cricket
- Thread starter DCB
- Start date
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
Cant remember the last time i was so underwhelmed by a lords test (and havent bothered to get tickets to go). A poor Sri Lanka side against an awfully selected experimental England side imo
HawkeyeMS
Ryder Cup Winner
Surely England need to be experimenting in matches like this though? They were at rock bottom not long ago, there has been a complete overhaul at the top and they need to see how the new players perform.
On a separate note, Why doesn't Malinga play tests?
FairwayDodger
Money List Winner
So, here we go, Sri Lanka win the toss, England put in to bat, conditions look good overhead and underfoot. Cook and Robson ready to get underway. Here we go
First day of the test match
First day of the US Open
First day of the world cup
A good day for sport!
Anything else on today? I've got a team match tonight.... not quite the same!
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
Depends how you look at it, theyre dangerously close to trying players for a series and discarding them as they were in the 90s.
He claims his body wont last the rigours of 5 day cricket and the overs he needs to bowl, the real answer is partly that and partly he earns far more playing T20
DCB
Well-known member
Malinga the Sling a retired from Test cricket in 2011.
Perhaps he was having trouble keeping his hand above his shoulder over the full five days
Perhaps he was having trouble keeping his hand above his shoulder over the full five days
DCB
Well-known member
Do these guys not realise it's a five day test........
Oh for a Gooch or a Boycott to stay at the crease for a couple of sessions at least :angry:
Oh for a Gooch or a Boycott to stay at the crease for a couple of sessions at least :angry:
HawkeyeMS
Ryder Cup Winner
It's going well isn't it?
Piece
Tour Winner
Hockey World Cup...
Piece
Tour Winner
Not sure I agree it's a 'poor' Sri Lanka side. Quite a few world class operators in the side, playing with confidence after good recent wins.
From the snippets I've seen this morning, Robson looks like a poor man's Shane Watson in terms of technique and Cook's woeful front foot technique hasn't improved. Balance looks tidy with a bit of fight about him (just as I post, he edges one behind!)
Prior is very lucky boy to be back, IMHO. Should be back at county level earning a recall, not just having it handed to him by the old boys network.
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
Comparative to previous versions their bowling is extremely lightweight (albeit England seem to be finding ways to get out to them as usual) - no Vaas, Murali, Malinga etc from days gone by and Jayawardene has started to look past his best with the bat of late.
Another confusing one, for Yorkshire Root bats 3 and Ballance bats 5, why on earth is Ballance batting 3 for England and Root batting 5? (like picking a clubs left and right backs and then playing them on opposite sides lol)
Piece
Tour Winner
Yes top line bowling is weaker but they've got good medium pace wobblers, using the conditions well. Don't often get sub-continent sides coming to England and swinging it both ways.
For me it's Bell at 3, Root at 4 and Ballance at 5. Talking of Root, an important series for him; still dining out a bit on his 180 v the Aussies?
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
Absolutely spot on imo. Root getting an easy ride really as they need his (very ordianry) spin option, plenty to prove still for me. Bell should be stepping up and batting at 3, tho expect he gets a shed full this summer against the 2 asian sides
Piece
Tour Winner
Interested to see Moeen bowl, as he's allegedly now the part time spin option.
Root seems to be the type of 'character' that fits in the dressing room - his poor run of form is seen as 'temporary' whilst others such as Carberry and more significantly Compton, don't get that additional time as they didn't 'fit'...
New era and same old short comings. Not a great morning but hopefully the pitch will dry out and be a good batting wicket this afternoon.
Great few days
US Golf
World Cup
Cricket
Rugby on Saturday
Hockey World Cup
Wife has no chance of seeing the remote.
Great few days
US Golf
World Cup
Cricket
Rugby on Saturday
Hockey World Cup
Wife has no chance of seeing the remote.
HawkeyeMS
Ryder Cup Winner
Piece
Tour Winner
richart
Major Champion
Ok so Root and Prior knock it to all corners.... I'll keep quiet now.
Root is only 23 where as Carberry and Compton are in their 30's, so a better long term bet.
DCB
Well-known member
England need to think about a declaration now or they will undo all their good work. Declare at 540 and then have a real go 'til the end of the day with the pace bowlers.
Can see this going to a draw if something isn't done soon
Can see this going to a draw if something isn't done soon
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
England need to think about a declaration now or they will undo all their good work. Declare at 540 and then have a real go 'til the end of the day with the pace bowlers.
Can see this going to a draw if something isn't done soon
its not even tea on day 2 lol, stop listening to botham! keep batting at as close to run a ball is the right approach keeping them out in the field, dec will come half hour before tea if needed (wont be needed now)
