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

kp will come good he is a quality batsman, and he hasnt lost his ablity overrnight.

Mad for Chelsea wrote:Pietersen made a double hundred a few tests ago, so he's not exactly in horrible form. However he needs to perform in this series otherwise his place will be under threat, especially with guys like Hildreth and Taylor enjoying excellent seasons so far.

the 200 has been he only decent score in close to 2 years, hardly ending the drought

sonic_boom10 wrote:
Pietersen one of the greatest Test batsmen in recent years? Behave.

Even at his best he was only par with guys like Mahela and Sangakkara.

He was never in the same league as Tendulkar, Ponting, Kallis etc

Have to agree wholeheartedly - and until he adjusts his technique he will never move up to the list of modernday greats either. He has an exceptional eye, but his persistance in playing across the line to any bowler that he doesn't rate will continue to get him into trouble at international level.

His desire to dominate the opposition and determination to cow bowlers into submission needs to be tempered - too often in International matches have we seen KP trying too much too early in his innings and giving away his wicket.

Sonic, i'm one of the most anti-pieterson members on here.

I meant Greatest when it comes to being almost unbowlable at when he's in top form. But when was the last time he dominated an attack?

KP gets a lot of unfair stick I think. "only decent score in close to two years"? It is his only century in 2 years, but he's also made a further 7 fifties in that time, despite missing a fair chunk through injury. Still averages 40 during that time, which is not great, but nothing awful either...

Actually maybe greatest was a bit too much lol

And making 50's and not converting means that we struggle against teams at times. If Cook/Strauss/Trott fail then we're 4 down for 150 before you know it.

Pieterson also doesn't know (or want to) how to play the anchor role and see us to 300+

averaging 40 in that time, is a good effort

My point was more along the lines of, he hasn't been playing great, but hasn't been terrible either. I do wish we could see more innings like the Adelaide one though.

i think everyone does lol

Except the SL fans maybe? Anyway, players off for lunch, and as near as I can tell if it doesn't start raining again in the next forty minutes we'll be starting then.

hopefully start soon, looking forward to it..

Same CF, who won the toss?

latest news, toss at 12:45, start at 13:15

its gonna be an intresting toss

Toss possibly delayed if the rain doesn't clear up.

its going to be a frustrating day

Can see the rain coming and going during most of the day. Just hoping for a few hours of play at least.

im hoping to see something its going to be a good series

Gregers wrote:Sonic, i'm one of the most anti-pieterson members on here.

I meant Greatest when it comes to being almost unbowlable at when he's in top form. But when was the last time he dominated an attack?

Yes fair point there, KP seems uninterested or all ways stuck in 6th gear these days

Mad for Chelsea wrote:KP gets a lot of unfair stick I think. "only decent score in close to two years"? It is his only century in 2 years, but he's also made a further 7 fifties in that time, despite missing a fair chunk through injury. Still averages 40 during that time, which is not great, but nothing awful either...

If the premier batsman scored only 1 hundred in 2 years, but scores 7 50s is deemed a good return? Or an average of 40?

I think not.

Lest we forget, when KP first arrived, guys like Botham, Willis and Holding where continually hailing him as the new IVA Richards.

Mad for Chelsea wrote:My point was more along the lines of, he hasn't been playing great, but hasn't been terrible either. I do wish we could see more innings like the Adelaide one though.

More flat roads vs very mediocre bowling then MFC?

Raining heavy now,grrrrr!!!

damn

daft idea to have a test match in cardiff anyway

Considering going on the Xbox till play starts.

Thats if it starts though have a feeling theres gonna be alot of rain this afternoon.

hmm same

Gah go away stupid rain...

raining again

latest news suggests toss in half an hour, start half an hour later

everytime they mention the toss it starts raining again

I'm not even too sure where going too get any play.

Just when I say that the covers come off.

yay hopefully play will be immient!!

Sri Lanka win the toss,bat first.

and then it rains..

and it's raining again

Play scheduled to begin at half 3.

and its raining again

I live in Somerset and we get the weather shortly after Cardiff does so i can be expecting some more rain in a bit then i assume

On the KP arguement, if he doesn't make runs this series he should be sent back to county cricket to prove himself imo, he has enjoyed the longest stint in the team without being cut (as far as i remember) and someone having a good season (Taylor and Hildreth come to mind) should be given their chance.

well it seems that England are out warming up, so they're hopeful of getting started pretty soon. Be interesting to see who takes the new ball for England, whether it will be Tremlett or Broad, thoughts?

Finally where getting some action.

I think Broad and Anderson will take on the new ball with Tremlett 3rd bowler.

right, here we go, Anderson to take the first over.

not much in the pitch so far, Broad a bit too full. that last ball was better, Dilshan looks a bit jittery.

Expensive over from Broad but bowled one or two beautys.

Paranavitanas started confident.

Just when I say that he starts to miss a few.

first sign of swing there from Jimmy, thudding into Para's pads, but it's way too high. He then beats him outside off with one that goes straight on, before the last ball swings down leg. Signs of swing definitely there.

Broad looking sharp, clocking 91 mph on that bouncer

Anderson getting some swing,Broad looking sharp. Good signs for the bowlers.

Broad beat Para a couple more times in that over, England looking nice and sharp with the ball so far.