Sri Lanka v England 2nd Test Match Thread

[Duty281]

First topic message reminder :

Not too early for this is it? After their 'heroic' defeat last Thursday, England will need a win to tie the series and preserve their no.1 ranking while Sri Lanka need a win or tie to win the series.

England's preparations haven't been helped by the fact that Broad will miss out due to injury while Sri Lanka's have been boosted by the news that Mathews will return from injury. Cricinfo predicts the following line-ups with two changes for each team:

Sri Lanka (probable) 1 Lahiru Thirimanne, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara, 4 Mahela Jaywardene, 5 Thilan Samaraweera, 6 Angelo Mathews, 7 Prasanna Jayawardene, 8 Suraj Randiv, 9 Rangana Herath, 10 Dhammila Prasad, 11 Suranga Lakmal.

England (probable) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Ian Bell, 6 Matt Prior (wk), 7 Samit Patel, 8 Tim Bresnan, 9 Graeme Swann, 10 James Anderson, 11 Steve Finn.

The pressure is really on Andrew Strauss, for his batting (justified) and his captaincy (unjustified). England's batsmen will also be feeling the heat as well - they haven't made over 400 so far this winter!

Keep an eye out for the rain, some is predicted on the first day. Game starts at 5:30 BST. Come on England!

[mystiroakey]

Not sure what patel is doing out there!

[alfie]

Think you are being a little harsh on other player , dummy : we know KP is in a different class when it comes to attacking play , but he was given the perfect platform to launch his assault by the efforts of the top three before him.

Not many players in the world could have played like that on this pitch , which is not a monster but is hardly perfect for stroke play...

[mystiroakey]

Yep it really was about the top 3 as much as KP- they aided KP's innings as much as he did himself, its all about the platform to allow kp to do his job!

[eirebilly]

I dont know what it is about Patel but since he has been out there, KP switched off and looked poor, eventually getting out. Swann doesnt look comfortable either. It may not be Patels fault but he is doing my head in, England could have swung and declared by now.

[alfie]

Patel is battling , but I can't really blame him. He is playing for his place really , and KP he ain't ...

Adding some useful runs , and he seems to be trying to push on now.

Two more days , and a 200 plus lead will really make a mountain for Sri Lanka to climb.

[eirebilly]

My eyes... Did Patel just get a boundary?

[eirebilly]

Yeah but alfie, 10 overs at the Sri Lankan openers today in these conditions could have been very profitable.

[eirebilly]

That looks it then, overnight declaration or early morning dismissal?

[alfie]

Yeah but alfie, 10 overs at the Sri Lankan openers today in these conditions could have been very profitable.

Maybe.

I think on balance I'd rather have another sixty or so runs , run 'em around in the morning for a while , let the pitch crack a bit more ...really we ought to win from here whichever way we go , but I am content with the approach they have taken.

Guess we can discuss this again when we see what happens tomorrow...

[alfie]

That Swann six rather came out of the blue !

Guess patience isn't his strong suit

...and now he's gone.

Jimmy in next ( night watchman , protecting Finn )

[trebellbobaggins]

SL looking very proud but you'd have to think they are just showing Engs bowlers the way here.

I reckon they'll be 200 all out. Could be a tiddly run chase for AC and Strauss.

[eirebilly]

I just think that If Patel had taken to the attack then England could have either gotton more quick runs or gotton out earlier and given the Sri Lankan openers a torrid 10 overs this afternoon. Oh well, still not unhappy

[alfie]

Hmm

We won't be able to bat on long tomorrow ... In fact with Jimmy out now we might not even bat the day out... Wonder why he didn't't review that ?

Perhaps he isn't used to having any left to use

[mystiroakey]

we will be chasing about 30 max in this game

[alfie]

In fact the Anderson one was actually missing by some distance ...

[mystiroakey]

sweet-- we can try and get a wicket in the last over if the day!!

its panned out perfect!!

[Guest]

The review shows that Anderson was not out, that it was missing stumps by quite a long way.

Apparently if England were able to hold on then tomorrow they would have been able to run the roller over the wicket which would widen any cracks. But since England are all out that option is no longer available to them.

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

Strikes me that the mid to low order have become a bit complacement and have just cruised through after KP did all the hard work for them. Some pretty tame surrenders (why no review by Jimmy? )and Patel playing for his career rather than for runs then getting out stupidly

Good lead all the same, but it couldve been more. Shouldnt be facing more than 150 with a couple of sessions on the final day. Even given recent history you have to side with England from here.

[alfie]

All out ... So the last little bit actually was something of a waste . Ah well , I won't go second guessing myself...

Happy with 185 lead ... And Sri Lanka will have one over to face ...

[alfie]

Well whatever happens in the one over , Sri Lanka will need to bat for at least four sessions to have any hope of escaping - and that would be only if England could be skittles in their second innings.

Really need to bat until tea on the last day for a draw , I reckon...

[alfie]

Unusual : night watchman opener ...

[trebellbobaggins]

so sl well on top then? you;d think so from the over-celebrated wickets.

still, been a good day. Reckon Eng have the advantage big time.

[eirebilly]

I have had a discussion today with a chap that does not feel that KP is a test player but more a ODI and IPL player. Now that really shocked me as i feel that KP is very much a test player.

What are your thoughts on this guys?

[alfie]

Was your friend drunk at the time , billy ?

[eirebilly]

It was a really rather odd thing to say. I sad that he has 20 test tons, 25 test 50's, 6600 runs at an average of 49 in all conditions and i was told that those stats meant nothing and he has failed more times than he has succeeded for England. I was really amazed

[mystiroakey]

kp is a quailty batsman- as with all quailty batsman they play well in all formats

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

He isnt a traditional test player, but like a lot of modern chaps hes a very effective test batsman by playing aggressive shots. Hes been banging around the top of the ICC player rankings since 2006 so he must be pretty decent.

[mystiroakey]

He is a quality test no.4


however there may be a case that he is only really effective when our openers have done there job!

eithere way though- he would get into any side in the world in any format!

[dummy_half]

I'd quite happily be as poor a Test batsman as KP

The only legitimate criticism is that he does sometimes give his wicket away a bit too easily either by trying a big shot early on or sometimes when he gets carried away after a rapid 30-50 and then plays a daft shot. As such, his Test record, while very good (borderline excellent) is perhaps a little poorer than it could be given his natural ability.

Today though must go down as one of his finest Test innings - on a wicket where 2.5 runs an over looked the order of the day, to come in and score 150 at not much below a run a ball was a game-changer.

[eirebilly]

To me, KP is KP. He has his slumps but is a very good batsman. He is more than test quality as his record suggests. Expectations are higher for him because of what he is but he is a quality batsman and to suggest that he isnt test quality is laughable really.

[alfie]

Judging by the first innings of both teams , the key to winning this match will be working through the top half of Sri Lanka's batting. No tailender has batted very effectively on this pitch , and that is unlikely to change...

You'd fancy England to get the openers ( including the night watchman!) out all right , but then the big task comes with Dishan , who surely can't fail every time , Sangakkara ( same comment) and the form man Jayawardene , not to mention Samaraweera and Matthews. So plenty of work to do still.

But I do fancy Swann will enjoy bowling on this on day four.

[alfie]

To me, KP is KP. He has his slumps but is a very good batsman. He is more than test quality as his record suggests. Expectations are higher for him because of what he is but he is a quality batsman and to suggest that he isnt test quality is laughable really.

Hence my doubt as to your friend's sobriety ...

I think KP is the most talented England batsman I have seen for a good many years. He doesn't have the figures he could perhaps have gathered by now if he were a little more circumspect on occasion , but when you see him play like today , who cares ?

Walk into any Test team in the world...

[msp83]

All good things must come to an end ... And that was a remarkable innings from a remarkable player

I wonder if those who like to question KP's place whenever he has a dry patch will have thought to record that innings for future reference ? Always one the first names on the team sheet in my books...

Time for some Bresnan fun now ?

You are very, very worng alfie!.
The drop KP club wouldn't give in all that easy.
How much did KP score in the last test, 3 and 30? A man is as good as his last test you know? When was the last time he picked a wicket in test cricket? Didn't he get out for 2 after scoring a double ton against India? Didn't he drop all those catches in the 05 ashes? And last but not the least, hasn't he, yet again, got out to a pedestrian left-arm spinner? Haven't they told you, this guy can't bat!!.

[eirebilly]

To me, KP is KP. He has his slumps but is a very good batsman. He is more than test quality as his record suggests. Expectations are higher for him because of what he is but he is a quality batsman and to suggest that he isnt test quality is laughable really.

Hence my doubt as to your friend's sobriety ...

I think KP is the most talented England batsman I have seen for a good many years. He doesn't have the figures he could perhaps have gathered by now if he were a little more circumspect on occasion , but when you see him play like today , who cares ?

Walk into any Test team in the world...

It gets better, apparently KP is a liability as well

[Duty281]

England's day and England's test, a big big well done to KP who has bought us so much time to bowl Sri Lanka out - 2 full days.

Pity for Ali Cook,took his time, played sensibly and fell 6 short of a ton. I also felt Trott should have made a ton but he was out to a good delivery by Herath.

KP though was out of this World, he came in with the score 213/2 and by the time he'd finished blitzing 16 fours and 6 sixes the score had moved on to 411/6. How he batted like that when all around him struggled I will never know. KP truly World-Class, I apologise for doubting him and I'm truly grateful to have seen one of the great innings that will be remembered for years to come.

On a slightly sour note I was disappointed with everyone below KP. The top 4 all made 60+ and when Bell and Prior should have been taking singles and the odd boundary they instead were too aggressive. The lead was 185 - I felt we could have had 50 more on top of that.

With the uneven bounce and spin I can't see this Test Match reaching stumps tomorrow, at most England will have around 50 to chase but even that is unlikely given the way Anderson and Swann are bowling.

We are England and we are still Number 1!

[msp83]

I wonder what would have happened had KP got out early, playing the kind of shot that Bell played? The Entire world would have been sitting on his head!. This has always been happening with Pietersen, he has to battle all these stupid negativity, that too from supporters of his own side!. So extra credit to the man for coming through in such style, time and time again!!. This just was a superb innings from Pietersen, one that could be the difference between winning and a draw.
I hope the England bowlers would now continue to stick to their task, and wouldn't let Lanka get away with at any rate. Sangakkara has had a quiet series so far, and he hasn't had many in his long career so far. Mahela is in terrific touch, and he has a particular thing against England. Angelo is a fighter, and Dilshan has to come good at some point. Samaraweera has his problems playing bounce, but he too is a tough fighter.
So it won't be all that easy for England, their bowling unit has to work collectively. I have a feeling along with Swanny, Steven Finn's going to be the key!. I got it wright with KP, and to some extend Strauss!, just hoping for more of the same!.

[eirebilly]

I am now being told that he gets out to silly shots at 30-40 far too many times.
Funnily enough, its acceptable to for the rest to do that but when KP does it, its a national travesty
I am going to give up on it. You cant reason with people who just dislike players like KP.

[dummy_half]

MSP

You have to take into account the British press - they love to give players the big build up so that when they (inevitably) have a few failures, the press can really get on their backs. Players (people) like KP are particularly subject to this because they are high profile and don't mind being the centre of attention (bleached mohican hair, pop star girlfriend etc).

Fortunately for KP, he performs well enough often enough that most of us will let him off the odd quirk. Oh, and I've no problem with him getting out to pedestrian left arm spinners when he has 150 to his name (or 227, as in the Ashes test when Doherty got him). Occasionally though, if he wound his neck in for the first hour of an innings, he'd be more effective.

[msp83]

MSP

You have to take into account the British press - they love to give players the big build up so that when they (inevitably) have a few failures, the press can really get on their backs. Players (people) like KP are particularly subject to this because they are high profile and don't mind being the centre of attention (bleached mohican hair, pop star girlfriend etc).

Fortunately for KP, he performs well enough often enough that most of us will let him off the odd quirk. Oh, and I've no problem with him getting out to pedestrian left arm spinners when he has 150 to his name (or 227, as in the Ashes test when Doherty got him). Occasionally though, if he wound his neck in for the first hour of an innings, he'd be more effective.

There are some pretty interesting points there. I do agree KP even though he's a mighty fine player, has significant room for improvement. The great Sachin Tendulkar always says that. But what I hae problem with is that people have pretty different standards for Pietersen. He had a glorious summer in 2011, and yet just when he had a tough series against Pakistan along side Strauss, Cook, Bell and Morgan, he was under massive attack unlike the others. KP can't get out playing a bad shot, but if Bell does, then people would of course remember the good times. How many complained and continued to mourn his terrible shot today? I am not suggesting the world should now sit on poor Bell's head, but there has to be a greater sense of fairness towards England's best batsman across formats in contemparary times.

[mystiroakey]

i think the problem with kp(now i never advocate dropping him- ever!!)

however i think certain people judge him by his 'own' talent. bell isnt that good anyway from my pov- so he gets let off alot more- he flies under the radar if you will!

[dummy_half]

Myst
I'm certainly not one that would suggest dropping KP - he is clearly our most gifted player and our most likely game-changer with the bat, it's just that sometimes he frustrates those of us who realise how good he is and even more how good he could be.

Today's innings showed exactly what he should be doing early in his innings - taking the attack to the opposition but doing so by playing conventional strokes. The BBC commentary said that of his runs before lunch, 60 out of 70-odd were in the V - that's how he should look to impose himself, rather than by always planting his front foot outside off and whipping the ball through mid-wicket, which brings in too much chance of bowled or LBW dismissals if he mis-times the stroke.

On a similar note, his 200 last summer should be very highly praised, because he did not play well for the first 3/4 of the innings, but he grafted and played to the limitations of his game on that day - he eventually played himself back into some sort of form and absolutely flew for the last hour. A great innings in its way because he showed determination and character rather than just relying on his natural ability.

[msp83]

Ah that 200, I think that was one of KP's best ever knocks. Many may not remember that Zaheer Khan was making the ball do whatever he wanted it to do, although admitedly that wasn't for long for well-known reasons, and Praveen Kumar was proving to be very dificult at the other end. England had lost early wickets, and there was consistent help for the bowlers. Then came Pietersen, grafted and grafted and at last just exploded, batting superbly with the lower order to put the game beyond India's reach.

[eirebilly]

I wonder how long before Strauss brings Swann on.

Morning to anyone watching

[eirebilly]

Swann on and almost has a wicket in his first over but for Prior to fumble a stumping chance

[eirebilly]

Jimmy gets the breakthrough and its not the nightwatchman

[eirebilly]

Prasad who came in as the nightwatchman is a former #4 batsman and is showing it here today.

[eirebilly]

Finn drops a very catchable catch

[ShahenshahG]

Join you in half hour or so when i get to work billy boy, hppy easter by the way.

[eirebilly]

Happy easter to you Shah, i have a free day today

[eirebilly]

Prasad is playing really very well. 33 and counting for a Tailender

England may not be wanting to chase much more than 100 - 150 on the final day in these conditions.

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