England on the slide

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Having just lost the in 2013 after retaining it for the last in 2013, England head to Sri Lanka under coach Liam Camps. The Ashes was lost in spectacular fashion, with Australia carrying a 1-0 lead into the final Test, where a bold 5th day gamble by captain Andrew Strauss backfired.

England vs Australia - 5th Test
England 1st innings 433 all out
Ian Bell 193
Christian Heath 115
Andrew McDonald 5-83
Shaun Tait 2-92

Australia 1st innings 349 all out
Terry Best 87
Shane Watson 67
Larry English 60
Mark Kennedy 59
Tim Marston 3-59
James Swanton 3-67

England 2nd innings 209-6 dec.
Alastair Cook 74
Kevin Pietersen 67
Shaun Tait 3-55
Andrew McDonald 2-24

Australia 2nd innings 294-4 (Target 294)
Anthony Bloom 114*
Larry English 74
Andrew Darcy 58
Tom Bargate 2-74
Brad Fullerton 1-32

England slipped to number 3 in the ICC Test Rankings and take on the 4th-ranked team in the world.
Camps is due to name his squad for the tour of Sri Lanka in mere minutes.

 

[Kweek]

unlucky Campsy...good luck against Sri Lanka, think you'll need it :')

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

England in Sri Lanka

Squad News:
Alastair Cook (Test average 52.52, ODI average 22.67) has been ruled out of the series with a crippling hamstring injury.
The uncapped Richard Greaves from Durham has been called up, having scored 6 FC hundreds and averaged 57.87 this season.
The selectors have ignored the fact that he averages 32.77 in his career and has scored just 2 hundreds in his 106 FC games outside of this season.
Having participated in the 5th Ashes Test ahead of an injured Stan Blakemore, Tom Bargate has been sacked from the England squad for a proper spinner.

Test squad:
Andrew Strauss (c) [36 years] - Opening Batsman
117 Tests
Bat 10523 runs @ 52.88

Chris Hanlan (wk) [23 years] - Wicketkeeper
28 Tests
Bat 661 runs @ 22.03

Larry Gillett (wk) [26 years] - Wicketkeeper
UNCAPPED
FC Bat 32.41

Christian Heath [28 years] - Specialist Batsman
31 Tests
Bat 1894 runs @ 45.10

Kevin Pietersen [33 years] - Specialist Batsman/Offspin
110 Tests
Bat 9504 runs @ 54.94
Bowl 25 wickets @ 59.04

Ian Bell [31 years] - Specialist Batsman/Medium
96 Tests
Bat 6635 runs @ 50.27
Bowl 45 wickets @ 48.49

Jon Kingsley [28 years] - Specialist Batsman
13 Tests
Bat 714 runs @ 44.62

James Morris [28 years] - Specialist Batsman
11 Tests
Bat 622 runs @ 41.47

Richard Greaves [26 years] - Specialist Batsman
UNCAPPED
FC Bat 32.77
FC Bowl 44.62

Terry Ashton [23 years] - Opening Batsman
UNCAPPED
FC Bat 35.57
FC Bowl 47.00

Derek Hanlan [25 years] - Specialist Bowler/Offspin
UNCAPPED
FC Bat 17.19
FC Bowl 27.15

Stanley Blakemore [29 years] - Allrounder/Legspin
62 Tests
Bat 2964 runs @ 52.00
Bowl 257 wickets @ 28.48

Alan Duvall [26 years] - Specialist Bowler/Right Fast
31 Tests
Bat 355 runs @ 15.43
Bowl 94 wickets @ 36.90

James Swanton [24 years] - Specialist Bowler/Right Fast-Medium
18 Tests
Bat 105 runs @ 13.12
Bowl 76 wickets @ 29.54

Brad Fullerton [27 years] - Specialist Bowler/Right Fast-Medium
31 Tests
Bat 322 runs @ 14.00
Bowl 103 wickets @ 33.98

Tim Marston [25 years] - Specialist Bowler/Right Fast-Medium
10 Tests
Bat 49 runs @ 8.17
Bowl 31 wickets @ 33.29

James Anderson [31 years] - Specialist Bowler/Right Fast-Medium
41 Tests
Bat 221 runs @ 8.84
Bowl 142 wickets @ 36.50

Ben Lewis [23 years] - Specialist Bowler/Right Medium-Fast
10 Tests
Bat 131 runs @ 14.56
Bowl 22 wickets @ 50.59

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Squad News:
n/a

ODI squad:
Andrew Strauss (c) [36 years] - Opening Batsman
141 ODIs
Bat 5366 runs @ 42.59

Chris Hanlan (wk) [23 years] - Wicketkeeper
9 ODIs
Bat 93 runs @ 13.29

Larry Gillett (wk) [26 years] - Wicketkeeper
20 ODIs
Bat 202 runs @ 40.40

Christian Heath [28 years] - Specialist Batsman
108 ODIs
Bat 3821 runs @ 69.47
Bowl 1 wicket @ 77.00

Kevin Pietersen [33 years] - Specialist Batsman/Offspin
149 ODIs
Bat 4928 runs @ 41.76
Bowl 37 wickets @ 45.13

Ian Bell [31 years] - Specialist Batsman/Medium
116 ODIs
Bat 4554 runs @ 44.21
Bowl 33 wickets @ 43.24

Jon Kingsley [28 years] - Specialist Batsman
8 ODIs
Bat 124 runs @ 24.80

James Morris [28 years] - Specialist Batsman
3 ODIs
Bat 15 runs @ 5.00

Richard Greaves [26 years] - Specialist Batsman/Right Medium
UNCAPPED
OD Bat 25.62
OD Bowl 27.43

Terry Ashton [23 years] - Opening Batsman
20 ODIs
Bat 42.68

Derek Hanlan [25 years] - Specialist Bowler/Offspin
UNCAPPED
OD Bat 12.07
OD Bowl 24.72 [5.31 econ]

Stanley Blakemore [29 years] - Allrounder/Legspin
87 ODIs
Bat 1409 runs @ 45.45
Bowl 121 wickets @ 24.55 [4.36 econ]

Alan Duvall [26 years] - Specialist Bowler/Right Fast
41 ODIs
Bat 64 runs @ 8.00
Bowl 42 wickets @ 37.33 [4.66 econ]

James Swanton [24 years] - Specialist Bowler/Right Fast-Medium
50 ODIs
Bat 105 runs @ 13.12
Bowl 80 wickets @ 27.05 [5.01 econ]

Brad Fullerton [27 years] - Specialist Bowler/Right Fast-Medium
21 ODIs
Bat 58 runs @ 11.60
Bowl 20 wickets @ 38.85 [4.56 econ]

Tim Marston [25 years] - Specialist Bowler/Right Fast-Medium
UNCAPPED
OD Bat 4.22
OD Bowl 19.99 [4.13 econ]

James Anderson [31 years] - Specialist Bowler/Right Fast-Medium
114 ODIs
Bat 111 runs @ 4.83
Bowl 167 wickets @ 25.10 [4.38 econ]

Ben Lewis [23 years] - Specialist Bowler/Right Medium-Fast
28 ODIs
Bat 37 runs @ 5.29
Bowl 35 wickets @ 28.29 [4.35 econ]

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Upcoming Match:

England XI vs Sinhalese - 3-day
26 October 2006

 

[Kweek]

good squad with a lot of 50/high 40's averages in the test batting department, bowling doesn't look to bad either!

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

England XI to play Sinhalese

Squad News:
Liam Camps has announced that Ian Bell will open the batting for the first time in Tests, filling into the opening slot for the first Test against Sri Lanka. The move has surprised many, given the presence of specialist opener Terry Ashton in the squad. But Camps insists on playing one of Jon Kingsley and James Morris, who have some experience and success at Test level. He said that he is not willing to expose present ODI specialist Ashton to Test cricket.
Bell will open in the tour match against Sinhalese in preparation for the first Test. Camps stated that Bell's performance in the match will not influence his decision pertaining to the first Test.

Andrew Strauss (c) [LHB]
Ian Bell [RHB / RM]
Christian Heath [RHB / RM]
Kevin Pietersen [RHB / OS]
Jon Kingsley [RHB / RM]
Stanley Blakemore [RHB / LS]
Chris Hanlan (wk) [RHB]
Derek Hanlan [RHB / OS]
James Swanton [RHB / RFM]
Brad Fullerton [RHB / RFM]
Tim Marston [RHB / RFM]

12th Man: Alan Duvall [RHB / RF]

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

good squad with a lot of 50/high 40's averages in the test batting department, bowling doesn't look to bad either!

Need more consistency though. Persisting with Alan Duvall in particular because he's shone brightly at times, despite his general lack of consistency. Really hoping that Swanton and Fullerton step up in Tests too.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Disciplined England labour in the field

Day 1 - England XI vs Sinhalese

Captain Andrew Strauss lost his first toss on tour and was punished with a long and difficult day in the field, as Sinhalese piled on 290-3 at stumps. Brad Fullerton took 2 for 47 from 20 overs and was by far the pick of the bowlers. It was a generally disciplined performance, but the lack of penetration was stunning.

Uncapped offspinner Derek Hanlan, in particular, was ineffective. His 20 wicketless overs surrendered 84 runs. Senior spinner - Stan Blakemore - was far better, taking 1-34 from 22 overs. The biggest period of success for England came late in the third session, as Fullerton dismissed Weerapuna with a lovely outswinger. Chris Hanlan then took a brilliant catch behind the stumps to remove Mahela Jayawardene for a 2-ball duck. Hanlan showed why he's a Test regular despite his questionable batting average.

Sinhalese 1st innings 290-3 (100 overs)
I Anton 117*
I Weerapuna 97
N Paranavitana 49
B Fullerton 2-47
S Blakmore 1-34

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

England fight back and take charge

Day 2 - England XI vs Sinhalese

It was an impressive return to form by England on day two of their encounter with Sinhalese, as they stormed back into contention in the 3-day affair. Resuming on 290-3, Sinhalese collapsed to 366 all out. Offspinner Derek Hanlan cast aside his wicketless woes of day one and took 4 wickets for 4 runs, to finish with 4-88 in the innings.

England then built upon their good bowling form with a superb spell of batting. Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell started carefully, but once settled, they dispatched the mediocre Sri Lankan bowling with ease and England reached 164-1 at stumps. Bell sought to validate Camps' decision to move him to the top of the order, and scored an organized 63. Captain Strauss was unbeaten 19 short of a century.

Sinhalese 1st innings 366 all out (137.4 overs)
I Anton 119
I Weerapuna 97
N Paranavitana 49
D Hanlan 4-88
B Fullerton 3-65

England 1st innings 164-1 (72 overs)
A Strauss 81*
I Bell 63
C Heath 13*
C Vidnapathirana 1-51

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Tour Match ends in tame draw

Day 3 - England XI vs Sinhalese

Andrew Strauss tried to get the most out of the 3-day fixture with Sinhalese, declaring 62 runs behind the opposition on the final day of play, but another unimpressive showing by the England bowlers resulted instead in frustration and concern ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka.

Strauss scored 109 in the morning session, but a series of loose strokes from the England middle order resulted in the score slipping to 255-5 before a 49 partnership was staged by Stan Blakemore and Chris Hanlan. Young Hanlan looked good in getting to 21 and was left unbeaten as Strauss declared upon the fall of Blakemore.

The touring seamers then struggled to breakthrough against the Sinhalese top order, and only Swanton was successful, as they declared at 94-1. Derek Hanlan's mixed fortunes continued and he was wicketless for 26 runs in 5 overs.

Sinhalese 1st innings 366 all out (137.4 overs)
I Anton 119
I Weerapuna 97
N Paranavitana 49
D Hanlan 4-88
B Fullerton 3-65

England 1st innings 304-6 dec. (127.1 overs)
A Strauss 109
I Bell 63
S Blakemore 38
C Vidnapathirana 4-93

Sri Lanka 2nd innings 94-1 dec. (36 overs)
N Paranavitana 43*
I Anton 41*
J Swanton 1-14

England 2nd innings 11-0 (7 overs) [Target 157]
A Strauss 10*
I Bell 1*

Match drawn.
Man of the Match: I Anton

 

[Kweek]

hmm, mixed feelings, batting looks good...bowling, inconsistant.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

England name first Test XIII

Andrew Strauss (c)
Chris Hanlan (wk)
Ian Bell
Christian Heath
Kevin Pietersen
Jon Kingsley
James Morris
Brad Fullerton
Derek Hanlan
Tim Marston
James Swanton
Alan Duvall
Stanley Blakemore

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

1st Test - England vs Sri Lanka

England
Andrew Strauss (c)
Ian Bell
Christian Heath
Kevin Pietersen
Jon Kingsley
Stanley Blakemore
Chris Hanlan (wk)
Derek Hanlan
James Swanton
Brad Fullerton
Tim Marston

12th Man: Alan Duvall

Sri Lanka
S Aroos
S Wijetinge
I Anton
D Jayawardene (c)
J Zanhar
K Sangakkara (wk)
T Samaraweera
S Arangalla
K Weeraratne
G Dananjaya
G Dilshan

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Late strike keeps England afloat

Day 1 - England v Sri Lanka

A difficult day for England came to a buoyant end with a wicket for Tim Marston with the final ball. Marston knocked over opening batsman Wijetinge for 8, leaving Sri Lanka at 13-1 at stumps.

Earlier Andrew Strauss won the toss and chose to bat first in helpful conditions for both seamers and spinners. Strauss sought to avoid batting last on a pitch expected to deteriorate, but the move backfired dramatically despite the best efforts of Ian Bell. Opening the batting in Tests for the first time, Bell scored 70 from 138 balls and was the anchor around which the innings score of 250 all out was built.

Kevin Pietersen threatened to impose himself and charged to 35 from 46 balls with 3 fours and a handsome six, but drove loosely outside offstump in the most disappointing of dismissals. Stan Blakemore and Chris Hanlan again looked to rebuild the innings, but neither could push on from starts and the tail folded soon after the dismissal of the former.

Starring with the ball was left-arm spinner Dananjaya. Playing his 20th Test, the spinner improved his wickets tally to 110 with a haul of 5-97.

England 1st innings
* A Strauss - b Arangalla - 11
I Bell - b Dananjaya - 70
C Heath - lbw b Dananjaya - 27
K Pietersen - c Sangakkara b Dilshan - 35
J Kingsley - c Sangakkara b Weeraratne - 22
S Blakemore - c Sangakkara b Dananjaya - 36
+ C Hanlan - c Jayawardene b Dananjaya - 24
D Hanlan - b Dananjaya - 2
J Swanton - not out - 8
B Fullerton - b Weeraratne - 1
T Marston - b Arangalla - 5
Extras - 9
Total - 250 all out

S Arangalla 18.3-7-21-2
K Weeraratne 15-2-31-2
J Zanhar 1-0-6-0
G Dilshan 28-5-84-1
G Dananjaya 28-1-97-5
T Samaraweera 1-0-6-0

Sri Lanka 1st innings
S Aroos - not out - 5
S Wijetinge - b Marston - 8

T Marston 3-1-8-1
B Fullerton 2-1-5-0

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Sangakkara keeps England on back foot

Day 2 - England v Sri Lanka

Kumar Sangakkara shared in two large partnerships on his way to an 18th Test century, as Sri Lanka recovered from 114-4 to take control of the first Test match against England. With captain Jayawardene, Sangakkara added 97, then bettered the number in a 115-run 6th wicket stand with Thilan Samaraweera.

England struck early blows against the Sri Lankan top order, and Tim Marston in particular bowled sharply. But Jayawardene played with great confidence to lift his team out of difficulty, until a misjudged slog sweep saw him caught in the deep and granted Derek Hanlan a maiden Test wicket on debut. Sangakkara soldiered on, however, and found a worthy partner in Samaraweera.

Samaraweera went on to score 61 unbeaten at stumps, and will resume with the lower order as company to try to push Sri Lanka's lead of 89 as far as possible.

England 1st innings 250 all out
I Bell 70
S Blakemore 36
K Pietersen 35
G Dananjaya 5-97
S Arangalla 2-21
K Weeraratne 2-31

Sri Lanka 1st innings
S Aroos - b Marston - 17
S Wijetinge - b Marston - 8
I Anton - c Pietersen b Blakemore - 43
D Jayawardene - c Strauss b D. Hanlan - 77
J Zanhar - c C. Hanlan b Fullerton - 8
K Sangakkara - b Blakemore - 108
T Samaraweera - not out - 61
S Arangalla - not out - 5
Extras - 12
Total 339-6 (103 overs)

T Marston 21-2-56-2
B Fullerton 20-3-60-1
J Swanton 18-2-53-0
S Blakemore 28-2-113-2
D Hanlan 16-0-51-1

 

[Nate]

`Work Campso.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Dananjaya spins Sri Lanka to the edge

Day 3 - England v Sri Lanka

For the second time in the match, Ganvari Dananjaya tormented the English batsmen, as Sri Lanka moved closer to victory in the first Test. Liam Camps was in a sombre mood at stumps, despite the fight shown by young Jon Kingsley and allrounder Stan Blakemore toward the close of play.

England ended on 172-4, still behind Sri Lanka's first innings total by 27 runs. Sangakkara again made his presence felt with brilliant work behind the stumps, 'keeping superbly to Dananjaya on a turning surface. Andrew Strauss' dismissal in particular showcased the brilliant Sri Lankan display. The England captain was beaten by a clever arm ball, having struggled to negotiate the spin for the majority of his innings of 34.

The morning session too belonged to Sri Lanka. Thilan Samaraweera fell short of a deserved hundred, but Arangalla scored a useful half-century to place his team well in control with a 199-run first innings lead. Derek Hanlan wrapped up the innings quickly with his first two deliveries of the morning, after the seamers struggled once more to impose themselves.

England 1st innings 250 all out
I Bell 70
S Blakemore 36
K Pietersen 35
G Dananjaya 5-97
S Arangalla 2-21
K Weeraratne 2-31

Sri Lanka 1st innings
S Aroos - b Marston - 17
S Wijetinge - b Marston - 8
I Anton - c Pietersen b Blakemore - 43
D Jayawardene - c Strauss b D. Hanlan - 77
J Zanhar - c C. Hanlan b Fullerton - 8
K Sangakkara - b Blakemore - 108
T Samaraweera - c Pietersen b Blakemore - 97
S Arangalla - not out - 56
K Weeraratne - c Pietersen b Blakemore - 20
G Dananjaya - lbw b D. Hanlan - 1
G Dilshan - st C. Hanlan b D. Hanlan - 0
Extras - 14
Total 449 all out (131.2 overs)

T Marston 27-2-86-2
B Fullerton 26-3-79-1
J Swanton 25-2-80-0
S Blakemore 36-3-147-4
D Hanlan 17.2-1-51-3

England 2nd innings
A Strauss - st Sangakkara b Dananjaya - 34
I Bell - c Sangakkara b Dananjaya - 16
C Heath - c Jayawardene b Dananjaya - 47
K Pietersen - c Sangakkara b Dananjaya - 24
J Kingsley - not out - 20
S Blakemore - not out - 26
Extras - 5
Total 172-4 (68 overs)

K Weeraratne 6-2-13-0
S Arangalla 16-4-37-0
J Zanhar 2-0-9-0
S Wijetinge 1-0-8-0
G Dilshan 22-9-31-0
G Dananjaya 21-2-74-4

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Fighting England lose first Test

Day 4 - England v Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka won the first Test against England by 5 wickets, but were met with extraordinary fight on the fourth day of the match. England resumed on 172-4 and lost three early wickets - Blakemore,Chris and Derek Hanlan - but the fight shown by the tail must have left coach Camps satisfied somewhat.

Staring defeat squarely, Jon Kingsley impressed with a composed half-century, before James Swanton and Brad Fullerton showed the top order how to combat spin with impressive batting. England got to 266 all out and Sri Lanka was set 68 runs to win the match.

Still not content to give up, England bowled with great heart and resolve and showed the precious value of runs on the surface. Sri Lanka struggled at 56-5, but Kymar Sangakkara was around to strike the winning runs with a gorgeous straight drive off the bowling of Blakemore.

England 1st innings 250 all out
I Bell 70
S Blakemore 36
K Pietersen 35
G Dananjaya 5-97
S Arangalla 2-21
K Weeraratne 2-31

Sri Lanka 1st innings 449 all out (131.2 overs)
K Sangakkara 108
T Samaraweera 97
D Jayawardene 77
S Arangalla 56*
S Blakemore 4-147
D Hanlan 3-51

England 2nd innings
A Strauss - st Sangakkara b Dananjaya - 34
I Bell - c Sangakkara b Dananjaya - 16
C Heath - c Jayawardene b Dananjaya - 47
K Pietersen - c Sangakkara b Dananjaya - 24
J Kingsley - lbw b Arangalla - 58
S Blakemore - c Dananjaya b Dilshan - 28
C Hanlan - lbw b Dilshan - 2
D Hanlan - b Dananjaya - 1
J Swanton - c Zanhar b Dananjaya - 31
B Fullerton - not out - 19
T Marston - st Sangakkara b Dilshan - 0
Extras - 6
Total 266 all out (111.4 overs)

K Weeraratne 11-4-19-0
S Arangalla 27-10-60-0
J Zanhar 4-0-14-0
S Wijetinge 2-0-12-0
G Dilshan 36.4-11-64-3
G Dananjaya 31-5-97-6

Sri Lanka 2nd innings
S Aroos - lbw b Marston - 0
S Wijetinge - c Strauss b Swanton - 18
I Anton - c Pietersen b Blakemore - 23
D Jayawardene - b D. Hanlan - 15
J Zanhar - c C. Hanlan b Blakemore - 0
K Sangakkara - not out - 7
T Samaraweera - not out - 5
Extras - 0
Total - 68-5 (21 overs)

T Marston 5-3-7-1
B Fullerton 2-0-10-0
J Swanton 6-1-22-1
S Blakemore 6-0-18-2
D Hanlan 2-0-11-1

Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets.
Man of the Match: G Dananjaya

 

[Nate]

England should be more aggressive IMO.