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.

[eirebilly]

He is a hitter carrot so still very dangerous.

[Biltong]

Sri Lanka is fighting back nicely here.

[eirebilly]

Swann really has to come off here. He is not having any luck at all and is being expensive.

[Carrotdude]

He is a hitter carrot so still very dangerous.

He most certainly is, wouldn't surprise me if he's there for a while.

[Carrotdude]

Shows what I know, brilliant fielding from Strauss to run out Randiv.

[eirebilly]

Ha haa, lovely curse carrot

[Biltong]

A run out in test cricket to me is the cheapest form of giving your wicket away.

[eirebilly]

It really isnt good biltong. The first one was unfortunate but this one was seriously good work from Strauss

[Carrotdude]

It really shouldn't ever happen.

[eirebilly]

Broad must come on now for Swann.

[Biltong]

It really isnt good biltong. The first one was unfortunate but this one was seriously good work from Strauss

Mate in test cricket there is never a reason to get run out. whether from good work by the fielder or not, you just shouldn't be in that position, backing up, running to a misfield, misjudging whether you should run or not.

Unless it is the last over of a test match and you need 2 off the last ball.

[eirebilly]

Mahela must be a little bit peeved out there, he has not had much support. I do hope that he makes his ton though

[eirebilly]

I know what you are saying biltong but Jimmy's run out was one of those freak things that happen. Simply unfortunate. Strauss' run out was batter error but also superb fielding.

[Carrotdude]

Jimmy should have caught that c & b chance really, it was hard but he seemed to react a bit slowly. Next ball he's thumped him for 6!

[liverbnz]

Bit of a kick in the teeth for Jimmy there. Should have held on though.

[eirebilly]

Mahela on a very nice 100

[Biltong]

I know what you are saying biltong but Jimmy's run out was one of those freak things that happen. Simply unfortunate. Strauss' run out was batter error but also superb fielding.

Ok, there are those freak accidents, especially the one where the bowler deflects the ball into the stumps at the non striker's side. That is pure luck and in my view should not be seen as a run out. It is the same principal where the batsmen run in and the ball is deflected by the bat and the batsmen do not take any more runs.

What happened with Jimmy's runout.

[eirebilly]

Mahela drove jimmy straight, jimmy got the hand down and diverted it onto the stumps. A freak run out in my books but a wicket all the same

[liverbnz]

It really isnt good biltong. The first one was unfortunate but this one was seriously good work from Strauss

Mate in test cricket there is never a reason to get run out. whether from good work by the fielder or not, you just shouldn't be in that position, backing up, running to a misfield, misjudging whether you should run or not.

Unless it is the last over of a test match and you need 2 off the last ball.

Of course there will be. Cricketers are only human, they will make errors in judgement. No amount of practice will completely erradicate them either. Also, the batsmen should be trying to keep the fielders under as much pressure as they can in order to force them in to mistakes and to gain an upper hand in the mental stakes. If that means stealing a few yards during a delivery or sneaking an extra run then so be it. It's all part of the game and for that reason there will always be run-outs in Test cricket, even from the very best.

[Biltong]

It really isnt good biltong. The first one was unfortunate but this one was seriously good work from Strauss

Mate in test cricket there is never a reason to get run out. whether from good work by the fielder or not, you just shouldn't be in that position, backing up, running to a misfield, misjudging whether you should run or not.

Unless it is the last over of a test match and you need 2 off the last ball.

Of course there will be. Cricketers are only human, they will make errors in judgement. No amount of practice will completely erradicate them either. Also, the batsmen should be trying to keep the fielders under as much pressure as they can in order to force them in to mistakes and to gain an upper hand in the mental stakes. If that means stealing a few yards during a delivery or sneaking an extra run then so be it. It's all part of the game and for that reason there will always be run-outs in Test cricket, even from the very best.

absolutely, still it is the cheapest way of giving your wicket away.

[Biltong]

Mahela drove jimmy straight, jimmy got the hand down and diverted it onto the stumps. A freak run out in my books but a wicket all the same

Diverted by accident or by by luck?

[eirebilly]

Anyway, back to the game at hand. Broad on now but i still see no reason why Swann is being kept on?

[eirebilly]

Mahela drove jimmy straight, jimmy got the hand down and diverted it onto the stumps. A freak run out in my books but a wicket all the same

Diverted by accident or by by luck?

I iam sure that Jimmy will tell you that it was on purpose

[Biltong]

Of course he will billy.

I am happy to see Sri Lanka got over 200 from where they were. What is the pitch like?

[eirebilly]

There has actually been a few hints of swing mate which is why i am so confused that Swann is still bowling.

[Biltong]

By the way, Swann bowls a lot more outside of england than in england.

For the same number of innings, Swann bowled 600 overs in england but a 1000 overs outside of England.

Why would that be?

[eirebilly]

I guess that would be because England swings alot more than it spins (surely someone can make that sentance dirty ) biltong.

I really have trouble following Strauss' tactics at times but that will be my problem i guess

[eirebilly]

Seriously, get Swann off

On a plus side, only 6 extras from England

[Biltong]

Sooooooooooo!

We should bring Marchant de Lange, Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel to england and leave the spinners at home?

[eirebilly]

Oooh you like your swingers dont you biltong, suits you sir

[Guest]

Bowling Figures to date
Anderson 14.0 4 43 3
Broad 12.0 0 42 1
Panesar 18.0 11 25 0
Swann 19.0 3 73 0
S Patel 8.0 1 26 1

Panesar seems to be bowling amazingly tight but no wicket. Swann is going for a few runs. I thought Broad was recovering from a slight injury. The fielding must be good for two run-outs. Amazing knock from Jayawardene he has currently more than half of SL's score. I wonder which of the English batsmen will get a century ...

[eirebilly]

I would'nt mind if you left Philander at home biltong

[Biltong]

It really is amazing that Jayawardena averages 64 at home but only 40 away.

[Biltong]

Oooh you like your swingers dont you biltong, suits you sir

Swingers, straight up and down, you name it.

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

By the way, Swann bowls a lot more outside of england than in england.

For the same number of innings, Swann bowled 600 overs in england but a 1000 overs outside of England.

Why would that be?

I asume its because at home England rely on their seamers a lot more, and tend to bowl sides out quickly and cheaply.
Away from home the quicks dont like the heat, and dont get the swing and bounce. England get through more overs in total and use the spinners more. Theres been quite a few times hes been the sole spinner on a flat wicket and bowled almost an entire innings at one end, that happenss a lot less at home. Its been pretty rare England have picked two speacilist spinners.


Im not sure about Englands balance in this game, Im pretty certain they wouldve played bopara if he couldve bowled. 3 spinners isnt great first up but they still look set to restrict Sri Lana to a modest score.

[eirebilly]

Do England want to bowl Sri Lanka out today and have to face a few tricky overs or should they just keep it tight and wait until tomorrow morning?

[Biltong]

I doubt you will be keeping it tight with Mahela on a roll though, get them out I say.

[eirebilly]

Yeah but its going to be a dodgy few over for England if they do manage to bowl SL out today.

[alfie]

Evening all

England have had a good day really ...only M Jayawardene has stood up for Sri Lanka ...but he has played a blinder!

New ball in six so England will still be hoping to close this out around 260 , which would be a good result after losing the toss.

Has Jimmy convinced you he can bowl in Asian conditions yet billy?

[eirebilly]

Evening alfie.

I knew that would come back and bite me on the bottom . I conceed, he can bowl in these conditions

[eirebilly]

Surely Panesar would be a better option here than Swann?

[Biltong]

I think anderson has improved in these conditions, his earlier tests he struggled to get more than a wicket per innings,

[alfie]

Monty on now ...be nice if we can nick one out before the new ball.

I wouldnt be worrying about batting a few overs tonight - get 'em out cheap as you can , going to want a decent first innings lead here , batting last.

[eirebilly]

This is some partnership here. Very valuable runs for Sri Lanka

[alfie]

Swann does seem to have been over bowled today - he has gone for a few while Monty has been Mr Economy...

on the other hand Monty hasn't really looked like taking a wicket , while Swann has had a few close ones

I would not have bet on the second new ball arriving at Galle with seven wickets down and Patel the only spinner with a wicket

[Carrotdude]

This is so so easy for Jayawardene.

[Carrotdude]

I don't think either have looked like taking a wicket, Swann has bowled about 3 threatening balls all day, Monty maybe a couple more.

[Carrotdude]

What's going on? Swann bowling the same ball outside off stump and Mahela guiding it to the boundary pretty much every ball. Odd.

[alfie]

I imagine the spinners will have a bit more influence in the second innings , but I really would have liked Bresnan in the team today.
Think he bowls well on these pitches.

Jayawardene has really brought his team back into this match...he has played a superb innings.

[Guest]

Jayawardena now averages 100+ against England in Sri Lanka. England need a plan.

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