England in Sri Lanka March-April 2011/12

Well if anyone can dig in now and make some runs it should be Trott, if KP finds his touch like in the Pak ODI's then England are really in with a chance here.
 
I think England are going to win it. If these two can get us up past 175 it's on.
 
Depends on whether or not the Sri Lankans carry on trying to rough up the pitch, Dilshan was appalling today and I can't believe that it wasn't picked up on by the umpires. Especially when KP and Trott both pointed it out to them.

In terms of batting, the first session tomorrow is crucial. If we can get to lunch at 180-200 for 2, then we're in with a shout. Trott is key IMO, I would expect KP to eventually get out slogging one of the spinners, like Strauss today. The middle-order will need to bat sensibly, as will the likes of Broad and Swann, because simply swinging the bat as they did in the first innings won't do the job of supporting one of the recognised batsmen.
 
I really think mind-set is crucial. Someone like Broad shouldn't be going out there thinking I'll have a hit and hope to get a few boundaries. If he has pretensions to be a serious batsman he needs to build an innings.
 
^ This is quite funny too as Swann doesn't bowl a doosra.

No-one bowls a doosra... they chuck it :spy

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Just like to point out that when I suggested England could not only win this, but potentially chase down over 300 in the 2nd innings when they were in the process of collapsing in the 1st innings, I was mocked and laughed at.

Well, it appears even the cricket pundits are now stealing my posts.

(obviously will be all over before lunch tomorrow now haha)
 
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 watched a bit, and it seemed OK. He had a ring field on the off for Monty a fair bit instead of having a man at silly point, so a little conservative I guess. But then again it worked, because Chandimal had an absolute brain explosion against Monty and was caught at mid off. Ridiculous shot when runs are precious.
 
To be fair in my criticism, I feel Strauss isn't the only captain in international cricket who doesn't attack a new batsman enough. Few seem to try and put early pressure on a new batsman unless they're miles in front.
 
cricinfo right now is showing a lot of good examples as to why swann gets up my nose.

it's just "ask swann" trying to get the normal sportsman type stuff but with a laddy bent so it makes a good soundbyte.

"so strauss, how are you feeling about your chances in the ashes?"
"well, we feel pietersen and cook are key to our hopes but we've got to take our chances and work hard out there, but I think we can win."

"and you, swann?"
"OI OI, course, KP nuts and posho are gonna have to step up but s'long as we don't make a tits of the catching and apply some good old fashioned elbow grease to the situation at hand, my old guvnor, we can trounce these ruddy convicts and send them back to prison island. nutters."

yeah, he's alright and a good bowler. i just hate him.
 
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I have to say with this pitch and bowling attack England should win. I just think the confidence is too fragile.
 
Could be a lot resting on Patel at some point... which might be interesting. Hoping Bell can get a big score and prove he can play spin (as long as it can't turn both ways). Either way, good test match. Enjoyed it :)

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Or miss a pre-meditated sweep instead. These two needed to have got it down to close to 100 and been there ideally after lunch. Big ask now.
 
England can do it if Trott scores a big hundred and rest of the batsmen play a few cameos around him. Sri Lankan bowling is not particularly threatening.
 
All down to Trott for me. If he stays I think England will win as has been said he'd only need a few cameos from a few and the tail can give it a biff. If not there's no chance.

These two need to get us to at least 220 though for a realistic chance.
 
I really think mind-set is crucial. Someone like Broad shouldn't be going out there thinking I'll have a hit and hope to get a few boundaries. If he has pretensions to be a serious batsman he needs to build an innings.

It is all in the mind, I think TMS pointed out that three batsmen in this innings got out to premeditated sweeps. I don't think England are very good at grinding out runs, they don't like it if there aren't easy runs on offer and it is easy runs that bulk up their average and have people going on about "class" over form. Craig White wasn't "class", but he did an excellent job in Pakistan in 00/01.

England are in a decent position, but it is a question of how long Trott with support from Prior, Patel and the tail can get on.



In a way I disagree about not hitting and hoping for the lower order, I think if they try and grind their way to runs they'll get out. Attacking the bowling puts them on the back foot and creates singles, I'm not suggesting they slog everything but if we're hoping they'll dig in and help us score 100+ runs then I think we'll be disappointed.

This partnership needs to go big, get us up to 250-270 minimum, and if Trott gets out much before 240 then I think we'll struggle. I find it interesting for the one or two people telling me Patel is a "proper batsman" that Prior has come in before him. Speaks volumes in my book.
 
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