Re: Sri Lankan Board XI V England

by JKLever Sat 24 Nov 2007, 22:02

I just remember that last test we played in SL - who was it? Kirtley, Anderson, Hoggard?

Cannon Fodder.

We scraped to 260 all out and never looked like taking their wickets.

Got to be a danger of that if we play Hoggard,Anderson & SideBo together.

I can see one of Broad or Harmison playing.

by Basil Sat 24 Nov 2007, 22:09

JKLever wrote:I just remember that last test we played in SL - who was it? Kirtley, Anderson, Hoggard?

Cannon Fodder.

We scraped to 260 all out and never looked like taking their wickets.

Got to be a danger of that if we play Hoggard,Anderson & SideBo together.

I can see one of Broad or Harmison playing.

Hoggard now knows how to bowl on sub-continent wickets - as does Jimmy on the basis of our tour to India. But I would sacrifice Anderson and play Broad alongside Hoggy and Siders. I think that combination offers the most variety.

by Growler Sat 24 Nov 2007, 23:26

Bear in mind that Jimmy's last test in S/L was his first match in weeks following injury in Bangladesh. He's improved no end since then.

by DJ_Smerk Sun 25 Nov 2007, 01:15

Who's good at Close in Fielding for England? Cause if the track is turning and spitting off the surface, their gonna need to have a good band around the bat.

I can see Prior letting alot of balls going through if Monty is turning it everywhere.

Around the bat would be Bell(bat pad), Cook (with the helmet on the offside), Collingwood (1st slip), and maybe Vaughan in a leg slip or gully position. Can't see Peitersen being close in to the bat, unless some serious sledging is needed/or if the batsman is tailender and England are on the ropes.

by S F Barnes Sun 25 Nov 2007, 12:29

Harmison pulled up with a back spasm in his 11th over, so he looks like a major doubt now.

by doremi Sun 25 Nov 2007, 13:21

Swann? Surely two spinners in SL.

by Basil Sun 25 Nov 2007, 14:35

doremi wrote:Swann? Surely two spinners in SL.

If Harmy was not fit, I would go with Broad. if you play just ywo frontline seamers - that means Colly coming on as first change affraid

by Growler Sun 25 Nov 2007, 15:13

doremi wrote:Swann? Surely two spinners in SL.

For second & third tests perhaps, doremi - the pitch for the first is most likely to help the quick bowlers, I read somewhere.

by JKLever Sun 25 Nov 2007, 15:35

An attack of Broad,SideBo,Hoggard & Panesar then.

Helps with the tail a little too

by LeFromage Sun 25 Nov 2007, 19:56

You'd have to figure, with Anderson also having a dicky back, that Broad would be the obvious choice.

The number of overs they've given Bopsi-daisy would suggest he only needs to avoid a duck when he bats to get the nod for the final batting place, too.

On the plus side, Hoggard and Panesar have found themselves some wickets, and England haven't let the opposition rack up 500.

by tac Mon 26 Nov 2007, 09:23

England looking good at 5/115 in response.

by Chivalry Augustus Mon 26 Nov 2007, 10:25

Golden arm Bops opens the bowling and takes a wicket. 17/2.

by Henry Mon 26 Nov 2007, 10:30

It looks like England have only just realised that Bopara can bowl- He's hardly bowled in his international career to date, and yet he's now opening the bowling for England against the SL board XI. Likely XI for the first Test-

Cook
Vaughan(c)
Bell
Pietersen
Collingwood
Bopara
Prior+
Swann
Hoggard
Sidebottom
Panesar

It would be a bit strange if they played 3 quicks in Sri Lanka, especially considering Colly and Bopara can bowl 10 overs each a day. Even if the pitch does have a bit of green in it, it's unlikely to last much longer than tea time on the first day, considering the heat.

by tac Mon 26 Nov 2007, 10:41

SL President XI 5 for fark all. Looks like a great pitch to get some practice on . . . . not.

by Henry Mon 26 Nov 2007, 10:43

Hoggy is on fire! Board XI 32/5.

by JKLever Mon 26 Nov 2007, 10:50

Looks like a shithouse batting performance though.

Anderson & Harmison crocked for sure.

On Bopara, really he is only a part timer who used to bowl 2nd change because our attack was so crap.

Expect him to be as useful as Collingwood in test cricket - i.e - not very!

by Merlin Mon 26 Nov 2007, 11:16

What is worrying are KP's failures thus far in SL.
What with a flimsy top order, Vawn at 2 and Bell at 3, should KP also fail, it looks certain that England could up against it this series.
But hey, no worries ... we have Vawney's fave Bopara to bail us out!! Wink

by Chivalry Augustus Mon 26 Nov 2007, 11:20

We're going to get thrashed. Pietersen's out of form, Vaughan's our only other batsman to have scored 100 against SL. Bopara at 6 and Prior at 7 with no-one at 8. Farked.

by JKLever Mon 26 Nov 2007, 11:21

Augustus wrote:We're going to get thrashed. Pietersen's out of form, Vaughan's our only other batsman to have scored 100 against SL. Bopara at 6 and Prior at 7 with no-one at 8. Farked.

Broad will be at 8 - a bit better than the carp we've had there recently but totally untried in tests.

But, yes... we are farked.

by Henry Mon 26 Nov 2007, 11:30

I'm not that worried about KP. Since he broke into the England side, he's done next to nothing at first class level. Holier than though attitude towards first class cricket? Maybe. But he tends to turn it on when it really matters.

by JKLever Mon 26 Nov 2007, 11:36

52-7 !

Why is it whenever we go on overseas tours we get the shittiest FC wickets in the warm-up games?

I think we should retaliate and make all touring teams have to play at Derby.

by Merlin Mon 26 Nov 2007, 11:37

JKLever wrote:
Augustus wrote:We're going to get thrashed. Pietersen's out of form, Vaughan's our only other batsman to have scored 100 against SL. Bopara at 6 and Prior at 7 with no-one at 8. Farked.

Broad will be at 8 - a bit better than the carp we've had there recently but totally untried in tests.

But, yes... we are farked.

So ... what are you guys waiting for.

Lump the mortgage, house-keeping and beer money on SL to win the series ...
Much better than giving it to Northern Rock!

by JKLever Mon 26 Nov 2007, 11:37

What are the odds for the series ?

I usually bet test by test.

by Merlin Mon 26 Nov 2007, 11:39

JKLever wrote:What are the odds for the series ?

I usually bet test by test.

Ask me in an hour after I've visited my local "bank" ...
Gigi's first, everything else second!! Wink

by JKLever Mon 26 Nov 2007, 11:40

Series odds on Betfair.

Sri Lanka 1.79
England 4.1
Draw 4.6

Odds for the 1st test

SL 2.18
Eng 5.5
Drw 2.68

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