Sri Lanka vs England 1st test - Match thread.

[Biltong]

First topic message reminder :

Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Thilan Samaraweera, Dinesh Chandimal, Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal, Chanaka Welegedara


England: Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Matt Prior (wk), Samit Patel, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Monty Panesar

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat.

[mystiroakey]

very tough , but at the same time very possible

[eirebilly]

Its bordering on impossible biltong, especially if Sri Lanka drag it to over 300. The phsycological factor of that will disrupt England.

[mystiroakey]

oh lolsss.no ball

[eirebilly]

Herath's Stump to stump bowling will cause Englands batsmen no end of issues on this track.

[mystiroakey]

Its bordering on impossible biltong, especially if Sri Lanka drag it to over 300. The phsycological factor of that will disrupt England.

no way is this impossible, or bordering on it- england have a decent chance at this test

[eirebilly]

Broad has bowled a no ball in all of his last 4 overs, this one denying him a wicket.

[eirebilly]

If Englands batting lineup was in form i would agree that there is a chance but in the form they are in, its a very difficult ask, so yes i believe that its bordering on impossible.

[mystiroakey]

when we get em out- the openers need a steady 50 for no loss! and i think things will just start to click in, we cant keep messing up innings after innings- we are better than that

[eirebilly]

Well there it is, over the 300 mark

[Guest]

Saw some of the action this morning with the spinners. Broad was just coming into a spell before I left for work. There is some turn there. Jayawardene was picking the length beautifully.

England are going to have so much time in this match to chase down the total.

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

Well at least theyve made an attepmt at getting back in the game.

[eirebilly]

The bowlers have done exceedingly well to give the batsmen a glimmer of hope.

[Fists of Fury]

This is so frustrating, and that no ball from Broad that would have wrapped up the innings has just done enough to push this total beyond reach, not least mentally.

Really poor cricket.

[eirebilly]

Basically, Broads no ball has cost 17 valuable runs and counting. Thats what happens sometimes.

[eirebilly]

I just dont understand why Jimmy has only bowled 8 overs in this innings.

[mystiroakey]

Basically, Broads no ball has cost 17 valuable runs and counting. Thats what happens sometimes.

you cant look at it like that- If he didnt no ball it he may not have got the wicket!

[eirebilly]

Am, i am not having a go at Broad... I am just saying that is what happens sometimes...

[mystiroakey]

if we loose this test- its because of one player that has been the diff so far and that is jay!

[mystiroakey]

this pitch is not as hard as the batters are making it look(just the same as pak v eng) - par score is over 300 i think

[eirebilly]

Thats a decent shot. HAPW Jayawardene with his 50

[eirebilly]

What a splendid partnership this has turned out to be

[eirebilly]

To get to this score after being 115/7 is a tremendous rear guard action from Sri Lanka.

[mystiroakey]

jay is really doing the business

[Guest]

I am with eirebilly. Let's not jump down the teams throat when they are still in the match.

[mystiroakey]

I am with eirebilly. Let's not jump down the teams throat when they are still in the match.

[eirebilly]

I think that England are pretty much out of the match now legend
I cant see England chasing this down unless one or two of the top order find some real form.

[eirebilly]

I am not jumping down their throats but they are pretty much gone

[Fists of Fury]

Legend, believe me when I say: they are not still in this match.

[Fists of Fury]

It would take a 150+ opening stand to give us any hope, in honesty. Just cannot see it. The pitch is fine, but mentally we are not there at all.

[mystiroakey]

fists believe me whne i tell you- england are still in this match!!

positive tyhinking boyo

[eirebilly]

It would take a 150+ opening stand to give us any hope, in honesty. Just cannot see it. The pitch is fine, but mentally we are not there at all.

+1. As i said earlier, if the English batting line up was in form then i would say game on but in the form they have shown the last 5 tests, i cant see it happening.

[mystiroakey]

oh blimey another almost out!!

the cricketing gods are certainly not helping out england- its all margins!!

[eirebilly]

39 run last wicket stand and counting.

So close to a wicket but hey ho

[Guest]

FOF.

They are still in this match.

2 days on a pitch that you can score 175 in a day on?

[mystiroakey]

It would take a 150+ opening stand to give us any hope, in honesty. Just cannot see it. The pitch is fine, but mentally we are not there at all.

+1. As i said earlier, if the English batting line up was in form then i would say game on but in the form they have shown the last 5 tests, i cant see it happening.

yes however id rather have hope- this is not an impossible situation for our batters at all- they are good enough, somethings got to change at some point! and i am backing it to now, or i might as well turn the telly off !!

[Fists of Fury]

Dear me, caught on the boundary but foot touching the rope, six.

I'm tearing my hair out, and such happenings are only serving to tear the fight out of England, too.

[Fists of Fury]

You seriously think England can bat for 2 days? Must have been watching a different team to me. They'll be all out for a maximum of 250.

[eirebilly]

At the same time though Fists, you have to admire this Sri Lankan rear guard recovery. Its been impressive.

[Guest]

As George Michael said "Cos I gotta have Faith"

[mystiroakey]

blimey this is a happy opptimistic place isnt it lol!!

[mystiroakey]

You seriously think England can bat for 2 days? Must have been watching a different team to me. They'll be all out for a maximum of 250.

yes 100% we have the quailty- will we- probally not, can we- hell yes!! you obviously have a short memnory that only remebers the last few tests

[eirebilly]

I am ever the optimist but i seriously cant see England getting this. They are just not in form. You can turn your tv of iff you like but i will choose to watch it as i enjoy cricket, even if England will more than likely lose. Its still a game i love and i have admiration for the opposition.

[Fists of Fury]

It has been impressive yes, Eire. In both innings their last 2 wickets have put on 60-70 runs - match winning runs.

At the same time though (and I don't like to criticise England's bowling attack because this predicament certainly isn't their fault) you need to get the basics right e.g. don't bowl no balls, take your catches, and in both innings we have let ourselves down a little there. Also not liking the short pitched attack to Lakmal who is effectively a rabbit - bowl it full and straight.

[mystiroakey]

I am ever the optimist but i seriously cant see England getting this. They are just not in form. You can turn your tv of iff you like but i will choose to watch it as i enjoy cricket, even if England will more than likely lose. Its still a game i love and i have admiration for the opposition.

not sure what your point is billy.

Your adamant we will loose- if sport was so cut and dry it would be boring and even you wouldnt watch it! we have a chance, even if it is getting slimer by the second, and no your comments suggest you are not close to being an optimist

[eirebilly]

Also Fists, although this is frustrating for us to watch, the other side of the coin is that England had also a good rear guard action

[Duty281]

Since this chase will be around 350, this is how'll we'll do it:

Strauss - 100
Cook - 30
Trott - 40
KP - 70
Bell - 80
Prior - 20
Patel -10

Done and done.

[Biltong]

I am afraid this seems to be too much for england now.

[Guest]

Come on.

2 days and 300+ runs?

With that sort of time they can even get their food shopping done too!

[mystiroakey]

i think cook is gonna get a ton with strauss in fairness duty

[mystiroakey]

good one legend and duty you have restored my faith in england fans

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