***Official*** Sri Lanka in England

[JASON]

Who would bring in Bandara for Kulasekara at Trent Bridge?

I certainly would not !!

Sanath J would have to come in ahead of Tharanga IMO , While Nuwan Zoysa must come in for Kulasekera and Kapugedera for Maharoof.

Sanath J and TM Dilshan can perform the second and 3rd spinner's role very well. While Bandara would be great to have as an additional spinner in the Team, IMO SL cannot afford to lose a batting position for Bandara.(As this would make the already fragile batting even more fragile )

 

[JASON]

To me as a SL fan , the saddest feature from the bowling point of view for SL is the failure of Chaminda Vaas in this Test series so far. I know he was injured for a significant period and only passed his fitness to tour just before the Team departed. I wonder if unbeknown to us he is harbouring an injury which is nagging him.

Otherwise this series may be another nail in the coffin for another of Sri Lanka's old war horses .

He was likely to retire after the World Cup 2007, but this series may be the start of his decline (and withdrawal ) as a bowler in Test cricket .

 

[Jungle Jumbo]

I certainly would not !!

Sanath J would have to come in ahead of Tharanga IMO , While Nuwan Zoysa must come in for Kulasekera and Kapugedera for Maharoof.

Sanath J and TM Dilshan can perform the second and 3rd spinner's role very well. While Bandara would be great to have as an additional spinner in the Team, IMO SL cannot afford to lose a batting position for Bandara.(As this would make the already fragile batting even more fragile )

It's obvious that Jayasuriya and Dilshan, while useful ODI spinners, won't take wickets at Test level, particularly in England. Bandara is arguable now Sri Lanka's second most potent bowler, so why go with a pace attack that clearly won't bowl England out when you have a talented legspinner in your squad.

I would go with:

1 Jayasuriya
2 Vandort
3 Sangakkara (wk)
4 Jayawardene (c)
5 Dilshan
6 Kapugedera
7 Maharoof
8 Vaas
9 Bandara
10 Malinga
11 Muralitharan

 

[dinu23]

It's obvious that Jayasuriya and Dilshan, while useful ODI spinners, won't take wickets at Test level, particularly in England. Bandara is arguable now Sri Lanka's second most potent bowler, so why go with a pace attack that clearly won't bowl England out when you have a talented legspinner in your squad.

I would go with:

1 Jayasuriya
2 Vandort
3 Sangakkara (wk)
4 Jayawardene (c)
5 Dilshan
6 Kapugedera
7 Maharoof
8 Vaas
9 Bandara
10 Malinga
11 Muralitharan

I don't know mate, it all depends on the pitch and conditions. If the conditions are overcast and the pitch is green there is little use in playing Bandara, I'd go for Zoysa.

my team,
1.Sanath
2.vandort
3.Tharanga
4.Sanga
5.mahela
6.thilan
7.dilshan
8.kapugedera
9.Vaas
10.Zoysa
11.Murali

 

[dinu23]

To me as a SL fan , the saddest feature from the bowling point of view for SL is the failure of Chaminda Vaas in this Test series so far. I know he was injured for a significant period and only passed his fitness to tour just before the Team departed. I wonder if unbeknown to us he is harbouring an injury which is nagging him.

Otherwise this series may be another nail in the coffin for another of Sri Lanka's old war horses .

He was likely to retire after the World Cup 2007, but this series may be the start of his decline (and withdrawal ) as a bowler in Test cricket .

not only in this series, he has struggled to get wickets when playing away from Sri Lanka, except in New Zealand and Pakistan.

 

[sideshowtim]

To see England limp like they have in this test series against a poor test side like Sri Lanka makes me very happy as an Aussie with the upcoming Ashes.

 

[Dasa]

It's obvious that Jayasuriya and Dilshan, while useful ODI spinners, won't take wickets at Test level, particularly in England. Bandara is arguable now Sri Lanka's second most potent bowler, so why go with a pace attack that clearly won't bowl England out when you have a talented legspinner in your squad.

I would go with:

1 Jayasuriya
2 Vandort
3 Sangakkara (wk)
4 Jayawardene (c)
5 Dilshan
6 Kapugedera
7 Maharoof
8 Vaas
9 Bandara
10 Malinga
11 Muralitharan

I can't help but think that selecting Jayasuriya would be a step backwards...sure, Tharanga had a bad match but it wasn't as if he was undone by poor batting. Other than that, I would have the same team as you've put up.
In the longer tem, I'd like to see Sangakkara batting further down. It's a big load having to 'keep and then bat at 3....I'd prefer him at 5 with Jaywardene and Dilshan moving up a place.

 

[The Baconator]

Few photos from Saturday, shoddy camera and camerawork, but still.

 

[Goughy]

As soon as he's fit, Vaughan will be back and captaining again.

Aye, but I guess the worry will always be his long term health. Does it hurt the team if the captain often misses long periods due to injury?

If so maybe a more stable captain should be the long term plan. It cannot help anyone to chop and change the captain.

Here is wishing Vaughan the best of health and good form.

 

[alternative]

It's obvious that Jayasuriya and Dilshan, while useful ODI spinners, won't take wickets at Test level, particularly in England. Bandara is arguable now Sri Lanka's second most potent bowler, so why go with a pace attack that clearly won't bowl England out when you have a talented legspinner in your squad.

I would go with:

1 Jayasuriya
2 Vandort
3 Sangakkara (wk)
4 Jayawardene (c)
5 Dilshan
6 Kapugedera
7 Maharoof
8 Vaas
9 Bandara
10 Malinga
11 Muralitharan

I personally would go with Jayasruiya opting for experiencing ahead of Tharanga.. on that note i would go with Zoysa ahead of Maharoof and most likely get in Kapugedera for Bandara....

 

[Barney Rubble]

I don't know mate, it all depends on the pitch and conditions. If the conditions are overcast and the pitch is green there is little use in playing Bandara, I'd go for Zoysa.

my team,
1.Sanath
2.vandort
3.Tharanga
4.Sanga
5.mahela
6.thilan
7.dilshan
8.kapugedera
9.Vaas
10.Zoysa
11.Murali

Three bowlers? And Kapugedera as a specialist batsman at eight? Hmm...

 

[silentstriker]

Three bowlers? And Kapugedera as a specialist batsman at eight? Hmm...

Considering their batting collapses, I would go with 10 specialist batsman + murali. I'm sure you can find a part timer to bowl from the other end.

 

[Goughy]

EDIT: Wrong Thread

 

[steds]

I think it is fair to say that Waqar and Warne have had the most ridiculous magic balls of recent history. Worth the admission fee alone just to watch what these guys could do.

Other balls that amazed were Dale Steyn to Vaughan in SA (came from nowhere and pitched leg and hit off)

but the one that impressed me and upset me the most at the same time was in the 1992 World Cup final.

Mushtaq Ahmed bowls to Hick in a tight game. The ball drops short and Hick goes back to cut.
Hick does not even bring the bat down as instead of being where he thinks, the ball spins back at him and traps him plumb LBW.

One of the best googly's Ive ever seen bowl, Hick looks like a monkey and Pakistan win the World Cup.

And that has what to do with England vs. Sri Lanka?

 

[Goughy]

And that has what to do with England vs. Sri Lanka?

You *******, you must have got there 10 seconds before I realized and edited the post.

 

[a massive zebra]

Murali is the second greatest bowler ever.

50 5 wi, 15 10 wm.

6 wpm.

In 38 tests won, he has 304 wkts at 15!

How many spinners have taken 10 wickets in WET DAMP CONDITION IN MAY during a Test match in England?

Shane Warne takes wickets in July - Sep when conditions suit spinners perfectly.

AND ALSO TAKING A WICKET WITH THE 3RD OVER AFTER THE NEW BALL.

Well done Murali.

A freak of nature.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

How many spinners have taken 10 wickets in WET DAMP CONDITION IN MAY during a Test match in England?

How many have had the chance to? Ray Price and Mohammad Rafique?

 

[Jungle Jumbo]

I can't help but think that selecting Jayasuriya would be a step backwards...sure, Tharanga had a bad match but it wasn't as if he was undone by poor batting. Other than that, I would have the same team as you've put up.
In the longer tem, I'd like to see Sangakkara batting further down. It's a big load having to 'keep and then bat at 3....I'd prefer him at 5 with Jaywardene and Dilshan moving up a place.

I did consider that it would be a backward step to play Jayasuriya, but it may be better to try and settle one of the other openers with him.

 

[a massive zebra]

How many have had the chance to? Ray Price and Mohammad Rafique?

Absolutely dumbfounding ignorance.

Test Matches have been played in England in May since 1902.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Absolutely dubfounding ignorance.

Test Matches have been played in England in May since 1902.

Well, everyone keeps saying how early Tests start now. Sorry.

But since you mentioned that Test in 1902: Wilf Rhodes (SLA) 8-26 for the match...