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.

[Pal Joey]

Except Bell perhaps.

[eirebilly]

"Tell what?" is the question. They showed it a few times and it looked as though it missed. Having said that, there was a woody sound but must have been the bat hitting the pitch.

Tell that he either hit it or that it was spinning away.

[Mad for Chelsea]

you know, I think that was the first ball from Herath that has actually gone to long-on there, is it really worth having him out on the boundary?

[Pal Joey]

Yes exactly. He didn't hit it though so it only leaves the other one.
Anyway, he's gone. Already spent too much time on it, imo.

[ShahenshahG]

Eirebilly. I think if they can cut the target down to 120 then losing one or the other wont be a disaster and england could scrape home.

[Pal Joey]

Yeah, these two plus Broad & Swann could do it but it will be close and they can't afford to be too cautious. That's where there risk is I believe.

[eirebilly]

Its still a difficult ask but the one major thing that England have on their side is time. No need for rushing

[eirebilly]

A nice steady, 2.5-3 run rate will see them comfortably home.

[ShahenshahG]

That was their enemy in pak series

[ShahenshahG]

God sake, stop sweeping you nob end.

[eirebilly]

No wickets in this last over please

[mystiroakey]

England going along OK only.

Trott flukes a 4- they all count mind

[Duty281]

If Trott and Prior take us over 240 we will win this. To quote Bon Jovi:

"We're halfway there, woah-oh, living on a prayer! Take my hand, we'll make it I swear!

[eirebilly]

Getting over the line may be difficult but the test is in Englands hands now i feel.

[eirebilly]

I am not going to see much more play today, maybe thats a good thing for England batsmen as everytime i have been away they have done well...

[Guest]

Trott is playing like an absolute rock out there.

Just made it in after the morning session. Felt sorry for Bell as it was so marginal his dismissal.

I still have faith!! Come on boys!

[eirebilly]

Trott will get his ton.

If England do pull this off then the confidence will sky rocket again

[eirebilly]

Catch you all later. Hopefully i will read about an England victory when i am again online

[Guest]

I hope so billy.

My only concern is whether the lower order have any energy left after their efforts in field and in the 1st innings.

[eirebilly]

Well i am hoping that i was absolutely wrong with writing England off yesterday.

Have a good one all.

[Biltong]

I would suggest this game is evens now, england has done very well in the first session and started solidly in the second.

[Guest]

England reach 200

[liverbnz]

I would suggest this game is evens now, england has done very well in the first session and started solidly in the second.

This is where the pressure will start to tell on England. Can they stand up to it is the question?

[Biltong]

Well England's tail most likely scored more runs this season than their recognised batsmen, so I expect them to pull through

[Guest]

England are in striking distance. It will be squeaky bum time if we get within 100 for no loss of a wicket.

[Mad for Chelsea]

if you're England, you're delighted with that hour. If you're SL, you maybe need to think about bringing some fielders in maybe, especially to Trott.

[Mad for Chelsea]

well played sir, superb knock

[Guest]

I would bring them in for Prior MFC. He nearly edged to the slips when he first got in. Trott is playing well in the crease with what I saw and what the commentators are saying.

[Mad for Chelsea]

Prior so unlucky, sweeps and short leg catches it in his midrift.

[Guest]

Nooooooooooooo

[Guest]

Still a useful knock from Prior. C'mon lads!

[hampo17]

This is getable now if the tail chip in like they did in the first innings. C'mon Trotty see us home!

[dummy_half]

Just when we seemed to be getting ahead of the game, it swings back to Sri Lanka.

Need Samit to show some responsibility and maturity here - just follow Trott's example and pick off the runs that are given rather than try to manufacture too much. Just over 100 left to get - time to set little goals, so first get it down to below 3 figures, then 250, 275 and tea (the last should be easy for Patel ). Get there with 60-70 required and no further wickets and we're back in it.

[Guest]

Hope Patel does better than his first innings. Need to learn from SL tail from the first innings when they supported Jayawardene.

[Guest]

Where's Fists??

I am sorting through some hats

[alfie]

Good afternoon - morning - whatever ...

This is fun isn't it?

Who would have thought we would still be in doubt as to the result of this match past the halfway mark today?

Have to salute Trott for this effort whatever the final result - had his stroke of luck early today but has generally played wonderfully well , showed how to make runs on this type of pitch. Thanks to him , England still in the game , though that rather unlucky Prior dismissal was a blow...

Obviously a lot depends on these two - though one could say Broad "owes" his team about 47 runs for that wretched no ball.

[Fists of Fury]

Fun? I'm shatting myself!

Excellent Test cricket, though. Complete cliffhanger of the sort that ODI and T20 cricket can never rival.

[Guest]

Thank the lord for Sky+

Trott is playing another Hero's innings!

[dummy_half]

Alfie
Good point re Broad's no ball and the extra 47 runs needed - we'd need 50ish now with 5 wickets in hand (assuming we'd batted as responsibly in chasing the slightly lower target), and would be reasonably strong favourites. I'm still nervous though that one more wicket will lead to us folding, especially if it's Trott that goes.

[Fists of Fury]

Oh dear Samit...can England's tail stand up once more? I don't think so.

[dummy_half]

NOOOOOOO!!!!!

[Guest]

Surely Bopara must come in for Patel in the next test?

[Mad for Chelsea]

dreadful shot from Patel that, absolutely no need for it

[Beer]

Swann will see us home i think, he knows to play sensibly, either that or he'll come and smash a quick for 35!

What sauce are you gonna use for your hats, Fists?

[alfie]

Oh you're just worried about all those hats , Fists ...

... But you probably won't need to as Patel goes to another great catch

I have not got too excited as there is a long way to go and I always felt Sri Lanka have - just - kept their edge.

Chase still isn't dead , but it is looking pretty tricky...

[Mad for Chelsea]

that's probably that, brilliant catch from Dilshan at leg slip to get rid of Trott. Fine innings, but looks like being ultimately in vain.

[alfie]

Dead now...

[Fists of Fury]

Game over.

[Guest]

Crapppppppppppppppppppp

[hampo17]

Trott

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