England vs Sri Lanka 1st test debate

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Englands side vs Sri Lanka: 1st test

1) Andrew Strauss (c)
2) Alistair Cook
3) Jonathan Trott
4) Kevin Pietersen
5) Ian Bell
6) Eoin Morgan
7) Matt Prior (w-k)
8) Stuart Broad
9) Graeme Swann
10) James Anderson
11) Chris Tremlett


Feel free to discuss the match under this thread

i doubt there will be any play today.

An hour or two would be nice though.

not enogh for any team to force a result thought, if there is only a hour play, we will probably see the captains shake hand, and a draw be the result

True but Strauss might send them out so Bell can get his century.

If the rain stops in the next two hours they'll likely play.

Give the lower-order a chance before going into the next test.

there's no point, i would rather we declared and got some overs into the bowler's legs, we no we can score runs against this attack, but we are struggling to them out cheaply

I wouldn't wanna risk trying out bowlers or having another bowler get injured. It's bad enough where down to 3 men.

let Bell get his hundred at least, and yeah maybe have a quick go at the SL batsmen, see if you can get a couple of cheap wickets or something...

showing replays of the sydney test, loving this!

Always good to watch the Aussies getting bowled out!

Forgot how well Johnson batted in this match......

I have never seen anyone (and I mean this) make batting look as easy as Bell did in this series.

Mad for Chelsea wrote:I have never seen anyone (and I mean this) make batting look as easy as Bell did in this series.

So improved now to what he was 2 years ago.

well Prior's just brought up his hundred in Sydney where it's bright sunshine, just a shame they're actually meant to be playing in Cardiff, where it's... raining, for a change.

covers coming off, could get some play in an hour if it doesn't rain again. Won't be enough time to force a result, barring a spectacular SL batting collapse.

at last some play hopefully

covers are off, pitch has been rolled, we should be starting any minute now...

Just to see bell get his ton then a monumental SL collapse before an England win.

there it is, Bell guides one down to third man for four for his thirteenth test hundred, well batted, fine knock. And England have declared! Thought they might bat on and try and smash a few but looks like Strauss wants to try and get stuck in!

Godd call they should always look to play positively.

Has Bell really only got 13 hundreds, I thought he had a lot more.....

good decision by Doctrove there, hotspot showing the bat just clipped the pad. Good start by Broad though.

Ian Bell's test stats, before this test match obviously...

cheers chelsea, like the man sitting in the stand on his own.....

Wicket for Tremlett good start for England!

There's one, Tremlett pitches it up, Para drives, edges and is neatly pouched by Strauss at first slip. England have started really well here, could something extraordinary happen?

review for dilshan worrying times for sl.....

And another, ball balloons back to Tremlett who takes the catch. Dilshan asks for a review but hotspot shows a clear mark on the glove before the thighpad and SL are in a spot of bother here, fine stuff from Tremlett and England

LBW shout from Broad, who's getting some life out of this, but that was high and leg-sidish. Give Swann a couple of overs before tea?

Tea, SL 33/2, England have to strike quickly now to keep this match alive. Swann had one over, it was a pretty good one, but no great turn yet...

Good session for England and they have looked very positive, but i can't see them getting these two out now.

there is enough turn atm

you never know though, couple of quick wickets and you're looking at the keeper and tail, who although they did a good job first time around don't have stellar test records. England really need a couple of quick wickets though...

remeber this is effectively a 3rd day pitch, will flatten out.

England need to take wickets quickly.

All of Englands bowlers have looked impressive so you never know win is still slightly possible.

I the two batting now will be very difficult to get out with so much experince between them.

GONE! First over after tea, Tremlett strikes! Now then...

Even if England can't force a result here, they will come out of this game feeling better. SL bowlers looked ineffective and Tremlett has found a good groove. Anderson injury is worrying though, especially with 6 more tests this summer.

And gone, Smaraweera tries to cut one from Swann that turns and keeps low, and has his stumps shattered. Awful shot to be playing to an off-spinner on a fifth day, and England are bang in this, 36-4...

SL 4 down, anyone believe in miracles?

And another one, Swann with a beauty, turns takes the edge, and strauss poutches it at slip, SL seriously wobbling now.

Incredible seesion for england review looks he has gone.......

AND ANOTHER, SL six down as Maharoof nicks Swann behind. He reviews it but there's a clear nick and he has to go. SL also out of reviews, England now in the box seat!!

BBC website says fifth wicket was caught Strauss bowled Strauss - sounds like an imaginative bowling change!

and now England call for a review

Ironic if they come to regret batting on for Bell's century!

SL have utterly capitulated.

INCREDIBLE!!!!

so close, did it just flick the glove, third umpire says YES!!! SL seven down!

Absolutely incredible! Now 52-8.

52 - 8