England in Sri Lanka March-April 2011/12

[Haarithan]

Nope, even if England have a tied series 1-1 they and Africa have same points but S Africa edge ahead on the basis of match points

Pfft England WILL remain #1 should this series end in a draw. Both England and the Saffers will be tied at 116 (after rounding off), with England (116.45) leading RSA (115.91) on decimal points.

 

[barmyarmy]

I've been reading some interesting technical analysis on the batting problems. Basically they don't play on slow low pitches against spinners ever really in county cricket and therefore only do on subcontinental tours. There have been so few such tours recently there's no time to learn the game. As a result most the players are trying to play the ball too soon, misjudging the length and trying to pre-determine which of their 3 shots to play. Add DRS in and they're so worried about it hitting the pad they're often playing inside the line as well.

To be honest this is all basics that can and should be sorted in the nets. As it is there's a bit too much confusuion in the technique as players try to impose themselves. They seem unable to play each ball on its merits and hit the bad ones.

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Incidentally the following players were cursed by me as a result of being in my fantasy team:

Alastair Cook
Kumar Sangakkara
Tillakaratne Dilshan
Jonathan Trott
Matthew Prior

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

yeah, they pretty much need to just spend time practicing. it's easy to complain about the approach they're taking but it comes down to poor decision making, shot selection and execution.

the problem isn't going to be solved by mantra's and game plans.

 

[barmyarmy]

Trott and KP are both in now which makes is quite annoying that the day finishes in 15 minutes and they'll have to do it all again in the morning.
No silly shots now. Let's just get to the close.

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

I'm going 50/50 pietersen will get out slogging before close.

 

[barmyarmy]

Stuck on Nelson overnight. Shep would have been hopping for the next 15 hours...

 

[Owzat]

Needs a big innings of 100 from someone to win this, I think psychologically most of our batsmen aren't prepared for that kind of length stay at the crease.

And the current 63 run stand is the highest for England in the match so far, and the last wicket pair in the 1st innings was 36 and one of the higher stands

 

[Sureshot]

He'll be fine come a home series and pace bowlers...

Yeah, he did so well last summer

Trott and KP doing well, again, several key moments (along with the batting) are looking to cause a defeat. Broad's no-ball costing 45 runs, the Monty drops costing about 40. Suddenly 260 doesn't seem too bad.

Given ourselves a chance, if these two can get us to 200 at Lunch tomorrow, that has to be the next target.

Strauss not quite getting the captaincy right, my thoughts on his batting are well known!

Broad not seeming himself, this niggle is a bit more than that. I'd have gone for Bresnan/Finn if I'd known Broad was going to be like this, difficult conditions for pacers though, the pitch is still pretty good. All about bottle my dear watson!

Edit: Also, intriguing cricket ftw.

 

[barmyarmy]

I think Broad is still carrying a knock after his ankle injury. He doesn't look like he's bowling at full pace. Hard to criticise the England bowlers after the brilliant job they've done this year (and before) but they're definitely bowling too short at tailenders.

 

[Papa_Smurf]

Optimistic there Sureshot. KP will get out sooner rather than later considering Herath's going to bowl a lot of tomorrow. Bell's form is still iffy, despite that fifty. Then's it's Prior and the bowlers.

No. 1. Lol.

 

[barmyarmy]

And the bowlers is a bit unfair on Broad (test average 30) and Swann (test average 25).
The number one thing is a red herring. First of all it's relative to the generally low standard of all test nations at the moment and secondly England haven't suddenly become a bad team; they just struggle in unfamiliar conditions. At least they're not getting bowled out for 200 and conceding 600.

 

[swacker]

At least things are still interesting. After we lost the first wicket, I thought there was a very real possibility that we could of found ourselves five or six down for about 100. As it stands, we're still in it, although Sri Lanka are favourites. The first session tomorrow is the important one.

 

[Sureshot]

And the bowlers is a bit unfair on Broad (test average 30) and Swann (test average 25).
The number one thing is a red herring. First of all it's relative to the generally low standard of all test nations at the moment and secondly England haven't suddenly become a bad team; they just struggle in unfamiliar conditions. At least they're not getting bowled out for 200 and conceding 600.

And Patel with an FC average of 40 and bats 4 for Notts...

I think I'd be backing England if we hadn't had the scarring of UAE on the batsmen, Sri Lanka are still favourites for the moment though.

 

[barmyarmy]

Oh we're definitely going to lose

After getting no wickets in the first innings and being made to look a child by [Mahela] Jayawardene when he batted so well, it was nice to bamboozle him with my Doosra second time round and pick up six

^ This is quite funny too as Swann doesn't bowl a doosra.

 

[puddleduck]

Haha Swanny

I missed the morning stuff and only made it in time to see England batting. Strauss is quite literally a walking wicket at the moment. When the pitch doesn't allow him to sit on the back foot with some pace onto the bat I don't have any confidence he'll score runs.

How was his captaincy in the morning? Did he go too defensive again when we were on top and looking to get them out as quickly as possible?

I stick by my post a few days ago, I don't know why, but England can still win this (would be much more confident though if they'd not given Sri Lanka an extra 100 odd runs in the game so far).