England vs Sri Lanka 2nd test debate

First topic message reminder :

So the 2nd test is upon us,Will England make another tremendous win or will Sri Lanka fight back to win the 2nd test? All will be known in 5 days time.

The 12 man teams are as follow:

England
Andrew Strauss (C)
Alistair Cook
Jonathan Trott
Kevin Pietersen
Ian Bell
Eoin Morgan
Matt Prior (W-K)
Stuart Broad
Graeme Swann
Chris Tremlett
Steve Finn
Jade Dernbach

Sri Lanka (Can't find the 12 man squad anywhere)

Tillakaratne Dilshan (C)
Tharanga Paranavithana (Spell check!)
Lahiru Thirimanne
Kumar Sangakkara
Mahela Jayawardene
Thilan Samaraweera
Dinesh Chandimal
Prasanna Jaywardene (W-K)
Thissara Perera
Suraj Randiv
Ajantha Mendis
Rangana Herath
Dilhara Fernanado
Chanka Welegedara
Suranga Lakmal
Farveez Maharoof

Once again like the 1st feel free to discuss the action

And updates of the match will be up on the thread.

fine Liam thanks. I was away doing some cricket coaching (well mostly helping my brother coach). It's looking pretty dark out there, but according to the BBC the umpires will only offer the light if it's "dangerous". Time for SL to get the spinners on? Nope in fact they're going off.

they are off.

but great turnaround from england today

England will be happy with today's work, they've put themselves in a position where reallistically they won't lose the match tomorrow. what do you think they should do tomorrow? Bat most of the day? Try for an unlikely win?

They're off. Stupid decision really play not looking dark and certainly not looking dangerous.

Hopefully the players will be back on soon

Well thats that then. Shouldnt be any more play today.

Gotta feel for the people who have payed there money to come and see this.

that surely not dangerous

nice and sunny down in somerset

theyre coming back on

Players coming back out,thank god.

I was at the 06 windies game that got called off for light at lords. very annoying especially with a 4 hour journey home

and Trott picks up where he left off with a glorious flick through wide mid-on for four.

Another 4 from Trott,lovely shot.

yeah light looks really difficult out there, look how much Trott is struggling to pick it up

I honestly didnt think that they would come back out. Doesnt sem too dark.

What's that? Trott can't score quickly?!

As I type that, streaky edge to take him to 49!

I am really enjoying this. Trott is looking very comfortable.

He's in excellent form!

Its great to see him when he bats like this. Him and Cook compliment eachother well.

Cook is really a run machine,what a future ahead he's got.

Good day it seems. I missed it all.

Looks like SL are like England during the Athers era. get the Captain and get them all.

Took one on the thumb whilst on 49, Sri Lanka are gunning for him!

50 for Trott, with an excellent boundary!

Trott reaches his 50 and a quick one too off only 66 balls. Well played

Great 50 from Trott

well played Trottsky.

Very well done considering he came in after two balls. Shows just how he can apply himself!

Strauss and KP need some county time maybe.

If they went to back to there countys and got a century each that would give them big confidence going into the India test series.

Trott bowled for 58,slower ball catches him off guard.

Trott gone for a breezy 58.

Possibly playing one shot too many.

I'd agree Liam. Good return by Herath.

50 for Cook!

Crowd sarcastically cheering at KP as he survives the first 2 balls of the left arm spinner.

KP really doesnt look comfortable. He looks like a walking wicket right now. This dancing around may cost him.

I think that's poor captaincy from SL, KP goes down the track to smack Herath straight down the ground for four, and immediately long-on drops back. If I were SL I'd want him playing that same shot again... I think throughout the tour SL have been far too quick to go on the defensive.

KP's still out there, living to fight another day. Quite a relief, the poor guy has been getting it left right and centre. Hopes he goes on and post a decent score, and regain his confidence, and then show his real class. May be he'll have to scratch around, but the need of the hour is some runs, whatever way they come. I don't think his place is in any sudden danger, but what we need is the real KP not the sad imposter who turns out these days, He has taken the first steps towards that comeback, by surviving the day without doing a lot of fancy stuff, although those quick singles at the end suggest the underlying state of mind he's in.

its gonna be a draw

We said that in the first so i'm not saying anything

yh but this is an etxremely flat wicket, cardiff always spins

yeah this looks a peach of a wicket but then. get Dilshan get Sri Lanka so you never know.

England should set SL 250-270 of 50-55 overs.

Dilshan only plays in 6th gear, so it will either be an entertaining chase or another collapse.

it will be a draw

Sonic - I think Strauss would be mad to set Sri Lanka 250 off 50 - 55 overs. Ok England might just possibly win, but there would also be quite a strong chance of Sri Lanka winning. Why take such a gamble when you are one up in the series....

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:Sonic - I think Strauss would be mad to set Sri Lanka 250 off 50 - 55 overs. Ok England might just possibly win, but there would also be quite a strong chance of Sri Lanka winning. Why take such a gamble when you are one up in the series....

Sorry totally disagree.

Strauss drones on about wanting to be the number 1 Test side.

Here's the chance to put his money where his mouth is.

250 off 50overs in SL would be risky, but in English conditions and a brittle batting unit you think it's a risk?

Apart from Dilshan and Paravitarana, the key 3 middle order players have been dreadful. Plus they have an epically long tail.

Sometimes you have to dangle a carrot.

Sonic - setting 250 off 50 overs on a good Lord's pitch is clearly a risk. The issue is how much of a risk and whether it is worth taking that risk....

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:Sonic - setting 250 off 50 overs on a good Lord's pitch is clearly a risk. The issue is how much of a risk and whether it is worth taking that risk....

Unlike an ODI, you can bowl your best bowlers for as long as you like, so you can shut up shop if things don;t go your way.

It's risk vs reward.

One thing is certain, the powerhouse Australian side would've set up the game how I suggested.