***Official*** Sri Lanka in England

[adharcric]

Trescothick > 90% of other openers in the world.

I think every opener in international cricket qualifies for that claim.
Where would you place him among today's test openers. Let's say, how would you rank C Gayle, G Smith and M Trescothick?

 

[JASON]

Given Fosters Oval is the best ground to pick Bandara to play , I would hope SL selectors give him a go there instead of Malinga or Dilhara, and perhaps play Mahroof in place of Kapugedera or Arnold . (if only for the sake of playing a 3rd seamer without weakening the batting)

 

[dinu23]

Given Fosters Oval is the best ground to pick Bandara to play , I would hope SL selectors give him a go there instead of Malinga or Dilhara, and perhaps play Mahroof in place of Kapugedera or Arnold . (if only for the sake of playing a 3rd seamer without weakening the batting)

I think we should play the same team. we have enough spin options in Murali,sana,Dilshan,Arnold.

 

[JASON]

I think we should play the same team. we have enough spin options in Murali,sana,Dilshan,Arnold.

The way things are I don't see Bandara getting a go for a while and this is the best place to play him, but I can see your point about not changing a winning combination !

 

[Barney Rubble]

I think every opener in international cricket qualifies for that claim.
Where would you place him among today's test openers. Let's say, how would you rank C Gayle, G Smith and M Trescothick?

Hayden > Sehwag > Langer > Trescothick > Smith > Gayle > everyone else

 

[GIMH]

I think every opener in international cricket qualifies for that claim.
Where would you place him among today's test openers. Let's say, how would you rank C Gayle, G Smith and M Trescothick?

...

 

[Top_Cat]

Hayden > Sehwag > Langer > Trescothick > Smith > Gayle > everyone else

Hayden > Sehwag? Ooooo........ considering how crud he's done in two series in England, very surprised to see that.

The top 3 would be fairly arguable by most people but I'd definitely put Tresco where you put him.

My own order would put Sehwag first (although when he's bad, he IS woeful) then Haydos, Lang, etc.

 

[Neil Pickup]

It'd depend on the track, to be honest. Five of those guys you know can cash in big time on placid conditions, but they all have noticeable technical issues in other places - swing (Hayden), short balls (Sehwag), fencing to slip (Trescothick, Gayle) and Matthew Hoggard (Smith). Langer I would pick if I had to choose one of the six to bat for my life, and to me that would be why I would have him as number one.

 

[Jono]

Excellent posts TC and Neil.

I don't know whether I'd go Langer or Sehwag, but I rate them both slightly ahead of Hayden. But TC is so right, if Sehwag is out of form, he's unbelievably woeful, and Hayden is pretty bad too, but Langer out of form is still serviceable.

 

[Sanz]

Consider that with In-Form Sehwag, He is awesome. I dont think I have seen any test opener bat like that.

 

[Goughy]

I also would put Hayden at #1.

Im still debating in my head whether Trescothick would be in the 2nd or 3rd World XI teams. He is underrated but he could never be in the World 1st XI (I know noone has suggested it, Im just saying)

 

[Gajanayake]

It'd depend on the track, to be honest. Five of those guys you know can cash in big time on placid conditions, but they all have noticeable technical issues in other places - swing (Hayden), short balls (Sehwag), fencing to slip (Trescothick, Gayle) and Matthew Hoggard (Smith). Langer I would pick if I had to choose one of the six to bat for my life, and to me that would be why I would have him as number one.

Langer's got some technical issues himself imo. He isn't anywhere near as good a player of spin as Sehwag and Hayden are and looking at his style it's easy to see why.
It's pretty obvious that his technique is far more suited to the higher boucing Aussie wickets and this is reflected in the 8 point differential between his home and away averages as well as his relatively poor record in India and Sri Lanka.

 

[Jono]

He also tends to lean over a bit too much early on his innings, which makes him vulnerable to the LBW just as much as Smith, however he seems to have handled it a lot better than Smith has.

 

[dinu23]

The way things are I don't see Bandara getting a go for a while and this is the best place to play him, but I can see your point about not changing a winning combination !

exactly my thoughts, why would you want to change a winning combination.

 

[Autobahn]

Langer's got some technical issues himself imo. He isn't anywhere near as good a player of spin as Sehwag and Hayden are and looking at his style it's easy to see why.
It's pretty obvious that his technique is far more suited to the higher boucing Aussie wickets and this is reflected in the 8 point differential between his home and away averages as well as his relatively poor record in India and Sri Lanka.

Plus langer has always had a problem with taking his eye off the short balls aswell

 

[wpdavid]

Anyway, they're off. Much better start from Harmison so far.

 

[TT Boy]

Anyway, they're off. Much better start from Harmison so far.

Harmison bowled beautifully, shame about the rest, Mahmood getting creamed to all parts.

 

[wpdavid]

Harmison bowled beautifully, shame about the rest, Mahmood getting creamed to all parts.

Sajid is doing the unthinkable in that he's making Kabir Ali look really good.
Bresnan would be OK if he didn't insist on sending down so many wides. Where do we get these guys from? Surely there are some guys in the CC who can offer better than this dross.

 

[Scaly piscine]

I just don't believe England keep picking Mahmood, he completely releases any pressure every time.

 

[wpdavid]

And now Colliingwood's started to send down wides as well ...ffs ....

The saddest thing about all this is that, as obnoxiuos as Goughie is, you can't argue that he'd do a better job than nearly all of the guys currently playing.

EDIT
Talking of wides, htf does an offspinner send down a couple?