Sri Lanka v England, 1st Test, Kandy, 1st-5th Dec

Agree about Sibo. I would, however, pick Broad ahead of Jimmy for the sake of variety - an attack of Hoggy, Sibo and Jimmy is a bit samey.

Batfink Begins wrote:

Lara Lara Laughs wrote:Predictions time people.

Let's have:

a) Your top run scorer for the series (overall top scorer and England's top scorer)

b) Your top wicket taker (overall and England)

c) How many chances Prior will drop

a) Ian Bell.

b) Ian Bell.

c) Ian Bell.

Good answers but not what I have on my card.

I can see Hoggy bowling lots of overs with Prior up to the stumps, with Hoggy bowling stump to stump and looking for the LBW.

Basil wrote:Agree about Sibo. I would, however, pick Broad ahead of Jimmy for the sake of variety - an attack of Hoggy, Sibo and Jimmy is a bit samey.

I don't mind about bowler number 4 really - either would do. Wish GBH had actually not done a GBH. That variance of aggression, sh!tness, snorters, disappointment and the odd magic ball could've done us good.

Batfink Begins wrote:

Basil wrote:Agree about Sibo. I would, however, pick Broad ahead of Jimmy for the sake of variety - an attack of Hoggy, Sibo and Jimmy is a bit samey.

I don't mind about bowler number 4 really - either would do. Wish GBH had actually not done a GBH. That variance of aggression, sh!tness, snorters, disappointment and the odd magic ball could've done us good.

According to the Beeb both Jimmy and Harmy have been going for it in the nets today - perhaps GBH might get a game after all.

Batfink Begins wrote:

Don't see why. We'll have to nullify Murali with sedate batting

If we do that we're forked!

we have to take the attack to the Boggly eyed one...

Both Jimmy and Harmo would be dodgy picks in a four-man attack if they've both got dicky backs.

Would be a gamble - but I suppose it wouldn't be in keeping with English selection policy if there wasn't the odd wild stab in the dark.

BREAKING NEWS from the England camp is that Ashley Giles has won the race for the spinner's spot on the outside from Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann.

Well Done that man.

Batfink Begins wrote:Not sure if you've all just made assumptions, but Kandy's supposed to be a decent place for pace nowadays - there've been telling contributions in the last 10 Tests there apparently.

We simply can't go in with just two proper pace man with Bops/Colly 1st change. It isn't feasible in the supposed Kandy conditions.

Unless it's green I'd still go with two spinners. It's before the monsoon, so SL will be hot and dry.

According to Cricinfo, Hoggard, Sidebottom and Panesar are nailed on and it will be either has-been Harmison or the injured Anderson for the final place. Why, when we've got Broad? With Hoggard, Sidebottom and Panesar in the team I'd play Broad before the pair of them. You know, looking to the future and all that gubbings.

Btw, I would like a suitably carp name for the carp team I've entered on Cricinfo. Any suggestions?

a) Jayawardena and Bell

b) Murali and Monty

c) How many chances Prior will drop? three and a missed stumping

leg glancer wrote:
c) How many chances Prior will drop? three and a missed stumping

It's over the course of the whole series, not just one session.

We're bound to win the biggest gob prize.

Geoffrey Trueman wrote:
Btw, I would like a suitably carp name for the carp team I've entered on Cricinfo. Any suggestions?

Yorkshire

Sorry, I couldn't resist!

Basil wrote:

Geoffrey Trueman wrote:
Btw, I would like a suitably carp name for the carp team I've entered on Cricinfo. Any suggestions?

Yorkshire

PMSL. Forum gold.

eowyn wrote:We're bound to win the biggest gob prize.

I know I should know my team but who the eck is that?

The thing with the ears is Matt Prior - heaven only knows what the other article is!

Hoggard?

doremi wrote:Hoggard?

Good spot. Couldn't recognise him!

Err... his name was published under said pic in one of the rags a few days back!
Wonder what his right hand is upto?

Merlin wrote:Err... his name was published under said pic in one of the rags a few days back!
Wonder what his right hand is upto?

not everybody reads the rags for their news mate

Agree.
I just "happened" upon the picture meself as I gazed at Gemma!

I'm going to say it now, we are Farked unless KP or Colly get some runs.

Basil wrote:The thing with the ears is Matt Prior - heaven only knows what the other article is!

Is that his Porsche ?

holcs wrote:I'm going to say it now, we are Farked unless KP or Colly get some runs.

Why do you keep ignoring Bell's capable prowess at taking the opposition bowling attack apart and scoring a heap of runs?
I find this rather sad ....