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]

I didnt see the last 2 sessions but in fairness getting to 41 was not too bad. Lets see how he goes next test

[Liam]

Prior gave his wicket away. He needed to stick around, there was no need to attack at all. I was listening to TMS and they were questioning whether or not Prior qould try and take the attack to the bowlers. Soon as I heard that, I knew he would be out soon. He batted superbly for his 41, then plays a stupid shot, haven't we heard that before.

What an absolutely bizzarre comment! Prior swept the ball which got stuck in the fielder's middrift. Not in anyway his fault, just one of those things. "no need to attack at all?" How on earth were England going to score the remaining runs? I don't think Sri Lanka were going to bowl 100 or so wides.

People always moan when someone gets out playing an attacking shot. England did need to score 340 somehow, they weren't all coming in nudges and nurdles...

Its not a bizzarre comment. I'll give you that Prior was unlucky in the fact that it was hit straight at short leg, but the fact he played a shot into that area, an attacking one at that, was asking for trouble. If he had played the same shot, but top edged it and got caught, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

England had a good 2 hours of day 4 and all of day 5 to reach 340. If everyone had watched how Trott batted, that's the way they should have played. Hit the bad balls for fours and one's, two's and three's etc and play the good deliveries with a solid defensive shot. There was no need for Prior to play that way, Sri Lanka were running out of ideas and he had played the right way which had got him to 41. He should have continued to do so and England would have beaten Sri Lanka. I'm not blaming Prior solely for this loss, because Bell and Strauss also contributed to the downfall. But at that moment in the game, England needed to bat out the day, if they had, they would be sitting on a 1-0 lead going into the next test.

[eirebilly]

True, It doesn't bother me much either, I am just thinkng if it were England there would have been a number of disgruntled posters here.

Surely a moderator is above baiting?

[Duty281]

Am I delusional if I think England will win the second test and keep their no.1 spot? I really think we will bowl Sri Lanka our for under 250 and make around 330 ourselves, there were little signs in this test that our batsmen are edging their way back into form.

Strauss played well but got out to 2 rash strokes.
Cook is out of form I grant you.
Trott scored a marvellous ton.
KP showed signs before playing a horrible shot in the 2nd innings.
Bell made a 50.
Prior got into the 40s and if he didn't start attacking may have got a 70ish score.

Hopefully, we'll pick Bresnan over Patel. Come on England!

[Biltong]

True, It doesn't bother me much either, I am just thinkng if it were England there would have been a number of disgruntled posters here.

Surely a moderator is above baiting?

Teasin billy, teasing.

[eirebilly]

Baiting, biltong baiting

[mystiroakey]

everyone keep the faith!! we will win the next test !!

[Guest]

I just watched the highlights and my heart sunk when Prior got caught. Terribley unfair. Trott as well. Couldn't believe of all places to have a fielder snag that catch.

You just felt that they were in control of the match England and that is a positive to take. The pundits applaude Jayawardene's patience with his tactics and fieldings, but England were unlucky. For me the Patel wicket was the worst. Why he didn't just try and stabilise Trott's position because had he just blocked for Trott, maybe Trott wouldn't have felt the urgency to attack when the Broad came in.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Headlines tomorrow evening: "Trott at a canter"

Very true - but unfortunately he was cantering on his own....

[ShahenshahG]

Trotts and Can't-ers?

[Guest]

everyone keep the faith!! we will win the next test !!

England have been "winning" the next test and losing the last test for some time now.

[Duty281]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/17549906

Vaughan and Boycs have called for batting changes, primarily because of 'baggage' but don't offer any suitable replacements. Very helpful.

[mystiroakey]

time to open up with cook and trott i feel

[mystiroakey]

strauss can play the anchor role for abit untill we find a better replacement- kp still at 3

[Mike Selig]

If he had played the same shot, but top edged it and got caught, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

I think we would. I fail to see how someone getting out playing an attacking shot is worse than someone getting out prodding. Unless the ball is extraordinary. I think the more relevant question is what would we be saying had he hit it for 4 through square-leg? Reckless shot and got away with it? Or well-controled show of aggression?

If everyone had watched how Trott batted, that's the way they should have played.

I did, he hit several sweeps for 4 off good balls. The very shot you are castigating Prior for playing.

[Mike Selig]

I'm still confused as to how some people are suggesting England were supposed to score 340 runs: from what I can see the sweep, the lofted drive and the clip through mid-wicket have all been ruled out. No doubt had someone been out cutting (which IMO is about the riskiest shot to play on a turning subcontinental pitch against off-spin), e.g. Pietersen when he edged one through slip, then that would be ruled out as well.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Maybe we could have got 340 in nudges and nurdles.....!

[JDizzle]

Maybe we could have got 340 in nudges and nurdles.....!

Geoffrey would have loved that!

I'm with Mike on this one. People had a go at them in Dubai for not attacking and just waiting for Pakistan to get the out, and here they go for attacking shots (occasionally) and still get chastised. Let's not forget this side has beat Australia home and away, won a Test and drawn a series in South Africa and won against the then number 1 team India. They aren't a bad side. Admittedly they need to have a look at themselves at work out why they haven't played well in the sub continent this winter, but wholesale changes aren't required. They play more Test matches away from the sub continent than it! There are other venues too. Saying that, I would get James Taylor in the side this summer. Who for, I have no idea but Flower does need to let this batting line up know that they are not untouchable.

[Mike Selig]

Maybe we could have got 340 in nudges and nurdles.....!

Maybe... oh wait they tried that in Dubai didn't they?

I thought England got the approach pretty much spot on in the 2nd dig, good mixture of solidity and aggression and scored 260odd on what was a wearing pitch. Had they batted like that in the first innings (where things did get too frenetic) the result may well have been different.

[guildfordbat]

Evening Mike - if you're still around.

I agree that far more questions need to be asked about our batting first time round than today. That's what really cost us so badly.

Nonetheless, I thought the ways in which Patel and Swann got out today - and particularly the related timing - were poor and reckless. You know how much I like support acts. I had hopes for Patel when he went to the crease. Alas, I have to make do with the apt headline in tonight's London Evening Standard:
''Trott heroics prove all in vain as the support cast fluff lines ''.

[eirebilly]

Right, i have seen the highlights now and i am in two minds about Prior's dismissal. On one hand i think that he was right in trying to take the attack to the bowlers as usually when you sit back and defend it all goes pear shaped. I felt it was the right shot to play, it was there for the taking but was just one of those things.

On the other hand, i feel with so much time left, patience was the key.

At the end of the day, England will take quite a bit from this match. Strauss started to look in better touch, as did Cook. Trott played very well in the second innings. Bell got some runs and looked very assured in the first innings. KP, well KP is KP but he is still very much a major part of the side. Prior also showed some very good signs.

Swann bowled very well in the second innings but was carted in the first. Monty, still not sure to be honest. He will get the odd wicket and will keep things tight but an attacking bowler he is not. Broad was handy with the bat and ball. Jimmy was great in the first innings (much to my suprise) but had little to do in the second... Why?

That leaves Patel. Not convinced, i would much rather see Finn or Bresnan in ahead of him.

[Mike Selig]

Evening Mike - if you're still around.

I agree that far more questions need to be asked about our batting first time round than today. That's what really cost us so badly.

Nonetheless, I thought the ways in which Patel and Swann got out today - and particularly the related timing - were poor and reckless.

Morning Guilford,

I agree, Swann and particularly Patel as the more responsible player (but also Swann, first innings he scored his runs down the ground, why on earth did he go for a swipe?) played very poor shots to get out. But Prior? Caught at short-leg when nailing a sweep? I'm sorry, that's just unlucky, and one of those things which sometimes happen.

Bell is debateable, it is one of his scoring shots, and I thought he was desperately unlucky to be given out.

[Fists of Fury]

100% with Mike in everything he has said here. I have little to add.

[Guest]

Just read Big Bob on Sky Sports suggesting England need to look at changes.

I myself think it is personally silly to make knee jerk changes. When they left Morgan out I was a bit annoyed. Some would argue he had been given time, but I felt he could've turned the tide. Patel has come in and had a shocker with the bat. I think for the next test they need another batsmen in there. KP, Strauss and Bell are making starts and then getting out. Not sure where their confidence is going to be. I do have sympathy for England in this match. The no-ball, dropped catches which England last year were quite clinical with.

I am hoping it is a minor blip.

[Fists of Fury]

For me the only change after this series would be Patel out and James Taylor in. We don't need a 5th bowling option, so would do well to pack the top 7 with runs.

Finn comes in for Panesar for the English Tests.

[JDizzle]

I am debating in my mind whether Finn should come in for Panesar in the next Test anyway. I think we got a little carried away with the two spinners in this Test match when, especially in the first innings, our best bowlers were Anderson and Broad. I think they should have bowled more bursts, and that our major strength is definitely our pace bowlers so we should utilise this. I think if you asked the SL batting line up who would they prefer to face out of Panesar or Finn, they would say Panesar.

If everyone is fit i.e. Broad, that would lead me to pick Anderson, Broad, Swann, Finn and Patel for the next match. Obviously if Broad isn't 100% then I would bring Panesar in for him.

[eirebilly]

The thing that Panesar does bring to the field is tight containing bowling. He rarely attacks but builds up the pressure. Swann is the other side of the coin, bowls attackingly but can get carted about.

I would swap Patel with Bresnan or Finn and that would be my only change to be honest.

[Fists of Fury]

Sri Lanka are seasoned veterans in playing spin bowling, which makes me consider Bresnan for Patel and Finn for Broad. Swann plays of course, but it gives us greater scope for rotating our quicks - our key strength as you say JD - which may prove to cause Sri Lanka some discomfort.

Broad is ruled out, by the way.

[guildfordbat]

.... I do have sympathy for England in this match. The no-ball, dropped catches which England last year were quite clinical with.

I am hoping it is a minor blip.

Legend - I'm not saying Panesar must be dropped but, if he is in the starting eleven, we need to accept that the risk of dropped catches increases. All selections have consequences. That is one of them.

[eirebilly]

Broad has been ruled out?

[JDizzle]

If Broad is out then I would stick with the two spinners option of Panesar and Swann. I thought he was only 50:50 at this point, but if he is definitely out then I would just issue the straight swap of Broad for Finn.

[eirebilly]

This would be my team, if confirmed that Broad is out.

Strauss
Cook
Trott
KP
Bell
Prior
Bresnan
Swann
Finn
Monty
Jimmy

[guildfordbat]

Evening Mike - if you're still around.

I agree that far more questions need to be asked about our batting first time round than today. That's what really cost us so badly.

Nonetheless, I thought the ways in which Patel and Swann got out today - and particularly the related timing - were poor and reckless.

Morning Guilford,

I agree, Swann and particularly Patel as the more responsible player (but also Swann, first innings he scored his runs down the ground, why on earth did he go for a swipe?) played very poor shots to get out. But Prior? Caught at short-leg when nailing a sweep? I'm sorry, that's just unlucky, and one of those things which sometimes happen.

Bell is debateable, it is one of his scoring shots, and I thought he was desperately unlucky to be given out.

Afternoon, Mike - like Fists, I very much go along with your comments.

The one thing I would add is that whilst Prior was unlucky to get out, Thirimanne still deserves credit for the catch. Firstly, he didn't turn away from the fiercely struck ball as most would have done instinctively. He then slightly leant forward so the ball went into his midriff rather than ricocheting off his chest or stomach. Finally, rather than then snatch at the ball and increase the chances of it spilling he had the presence of mind to scoop it back into his body and take hold of it.

Not the sort of catch you can easily coach to your lads but something you might want to show them.

[eirebilly]

Its what happens in cricket sometimes. Just that bit of luck here and there can really turn a match on its head.

[guildfordbat]

Billy - the point I'm really making is that whilst Prior was definitely unlucky, Thirimanne significantly contributed to his own luck if that's what it was for him.

[eirebilly]

Oh, i am not taking it away from him. There are two sides to the coin on this. 1 is that Prior was desperately unlucky and the other is that Thirimanne really made his own luck.

[Pete C (Kiwireddevil)]

Thirimanne and Dilshan both made real differences in the field. Contrast that with Monty's couple of howlers, and Broad's overstep error. You can definitely argue that England wasn't quite at their usual high standard in the field.

SL missed a chance or 2 as well, but not when it counted.

[Mike Selig]

The one thing I would add is that whilst Prior was unlucky to get out, Thirimanne still deserves credit for the catch. Firstly, he didn't turn away from the fiercely struck ball as most would have done instinctively. He then slightly leant forward so the ball went into his midriff rather than ricocheting off his chest or stomach. Finally, rather than then snatch at the ball and increase the chances of it spilling he had the presence of mind to scoop it back into his body and take hold of it.

Not the sort of catch you can easily coach to your lads but something you might want to show them.

Yep. Actually it seems to me the standard of short-leg fielding is at last improving, with specialists there rather than just whoever is new (as is used to be): all of Thirimanne, Bell, Amla and Cowan are excellent short-leg fielders.

I'm not sure how one coaches short-leg fielders, although they do have bouncy net things nowadays which supposedly replicate the effet somewhat. I guess to simulate the full-blooded sweep you could whack a tennis ball at someone's middrift? I spent a good quarter of an hour yesterday whacking a tennis ball at a batsman to teach him to play the short ball... pretty effective and enjoyable.

[guildfordbat]

.... I'm not sure how one coaches short-leg fielders, although they do have bouncy net things nowadays which supposedly replicate the effet somewhat. I guess to simulate the full-blooded sweep you could whack a tennis ball at someone's middrift? I spent a good quarter of an hour yesterday whacking a tennis ball at a batsman to teach him to play the short ball... pretty effective and enjoyable.

Enjoyable for you or the batsman?

[Guest]

Broad has been ruled out.

Take it Finn will be his replacement. Can't remember off the top of me head if he bowled in Pakistan or not?

[Fists of Fury]

Bowled very well in the ODI's, legendkillar.

I'd perhaps go with Bresnan and Finn in place of Panesar and Broad.

[mystiroakey]

I wouldnt be willing to ditch broad yet. in fact all bowlers are fine.
we need yo sort out the bit bat/bowlers. i dont understand how patel
got the nod over bop or bresnam. Esp when we had monty and swann..

i would be happy to give finn ago in the next test match however id take a spinner out(monty) .

btw just realised that broad is out injured.so lol- as above ^^

[eirebilly]

Nobody wants to ditch Broad, has has been ruled out.

[mystiroakey]

yeah lol billy , just realised.

[eirebilly]

inn must surely come in for him. The only other place i see a debate is Patel out for Bresnan?

[mystiroakey]

yep id go with bresnan for patel as well

[eirebilly]

Bresnan would do better with the bat than Patel i feel and Finn is also no slouch

[mystiroakey]

the great thing about bres and finn is that everytime they get a chance in the side they play really well!!

[eirebilly]

Its great having that strength in depth for a change

[ShahenshahG]

English cricketers are like london buses.

Red and gassy

You wait around a while for one to come and twenty turn up at once. Then you manage to pick the ones you want but the driver has forgotten to pump up the tyres and gives a much less performance than its capable off. Then Boris Johnson gets elected mayor and all the buses try to run away to UAE and Sri lanka and fail in the heat because of mental exhaustion.


God. I am so bored at work.

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