Sri Lanka v England, 3rd test, Galle, 18-22 Dec

THICKEDGE wrote:

JKLever wrote:

THICKEDGE wrote:What is the point of picking Bopara if he is an allrounder that can't bowl?

Er....

Because Thicko, he isn't an allrounder.

So is he a specialist non-catching fielder?

Are you a retard or do you just give me that impression?

England could be ranked below Bangladesh and there would still be "Positives" to take out of things.

We miss Fred desperately for his bowling more than his batting. As admirable a job as Sidey does - he aint going to run through many sides in the SubC (He may actually be more effective in NZ)

Should have picked Swann....

doremi wrote:Should have picked Swann....

Would of made no difference, IMO

Darryl Harper got in his customary howler, I see. How he's still on the "elite" panel after all these years is beyond me. I can honestly say that I haven't seen him Umpire a Test where he hasn't made at least one crap decision.

Now perhaps is a good time to remind us all about B@z's optimism and Fink's reassurances coming from the 2nd Test thread .....

Quote from 14th December.....

---------------------------------
Basil wrote:
I've got a good feeling about the next test - we saved this one comfortably in the end and would have done without the rain.

We appear to have played Murali much better - only one wicket and he only bowled 5 maidens out of 27.

Harmy bowled well enough without any scattergun tendencies. With Hoggy back, we can put their batting under real pressure.

And Fink replied :
I agree actually baz.
-----------------------------------

Oh, and then followed his reference to "merlin taking the pills" etc etc!

Funny how attitudes change in a mere 5 days !!

Time we all got real - England are sh!te right now, and no amount of optimism changes that.

Putting SL in just because you think the ball might do a bit in the first session ...FFS.
With SL 450+ by lunch tomorrow, we'll be desperately trying to do what some here believe we are best at....
Drawing a farking cricket match.

Merlin wrote:
And Fink replied :
I agree actually baz.
-----------------------------------

Oh, and then followed his reference to "merlin taking the pills" etc etc!

Funny how attitudes change in a mere 5 days !!

Certainly did merlin, I was optimistic. I'd have said the 'take the pills' thing if I vehemently disagreed with baz, simply because it's your standard bullsh!t, smug, glib, trite line.

Merlin in storing quotes from other forummers shocker!

JKLever wrote:Merlin in storing quotes from other forummers shocker!

At the time I was derided for not sharing their optimism.
It's the only one I've stored JK ... and only done so because
of how disappointed we'd all be come the final Test!

Harmi takes 3 wickets on day 1, (he's expected to - he's paid good dosh to perform...
and after all, Vawn did put SL in expecting his bowlers to 'do something' - and out
came the plaudits ....

FFS ... Optimism - where England cricketers are concerned, is a farking luxury right now.

I blame the scientologists.

Batfink Begins wrote:

Merlin wrote:
And Fink replied :
I agree actually baz.
-----------------------------------

Oh, and then followed his reference to "merlin taking the pills" etc etc!

Funny how attitudes change in a mere 5 days !!

Certainly did merlin, I was optimistic. I'd have said the 'take the pills' thing if I vehemently disagreed with baz, simply because it's your standard bullsh!t, smug, glib, trite line.

Stop taking cheap shots Fink ... I ceased the "pill taking" jibes ages ago ...
and they were directed mainly at the female Tazzie.
I disagreed with the pair of you, and behold, I get whacked for doing so.
Stick to the argument rather than get all sensitive.

My simple question was - How did you justify such optimism when all that happened in the 2nd test was that
England clung on for a draw when SL couldn't have given a toss once the match was put out of England's reach??

I can't help but compare the English who look so drained out and lethargic on the field to the Australians who are perpetually bubbling all over. I need to ask this question.

Are aussies on some kind of drugs ?

tac wrote:I blame the scientologists.

:laule:
Touche!

Ricky Ponting Will Turn 33 in December
Adam Gilchrist is 36 years old
Matthew Hayden is 36 years old
Brad Hogg is 36 years old
Brad Hodge is 32 years old
Michael Hussey is 32 years old
Andrew Symonds will turn 33 in a couple of months

Not exactly spring chickens are they ?

Do the Auz oldies use performance enhancing drugs ? Are there any screening for kirket players done regularly ? If not there is plenty of evidence from the one sided nature of the games involving Auzzies.

***** off Buck - this is the SL vs England thread.

Merlin wrote:

Batfink Begins wrote:

Merlin wrote:
And Fink replied :
I agree actually baz.
-----------------------------------

Oh, and then followed his reference to "merlin taking the pills" etc etc!

Funny how attitudes change in a mere 5 days !!

Certainly did merlin, I was optimistic. I'd have said the 'take the pills' thing if I vehemently disagreed with baz, simply because it's your standard bullsh!t, smug, glib, trite line.

Stop taking cheap shots Fink ... I ceased the "pill taking" jibes ages ago ...
and they were directed mainly at the female Tazzie.
I disagreed with the pair of you, and behold, I get whacked for doing so.
Stick to the argument rather than get all sensitive.

My simple question was - How did you justify such optimism when all that happened in the 2nd test was that
England clung on for a draw when SL couldn't have given a toss once the match was put out of England's reach??

Merlo, Fink is just one of those loudmouths you meet in every pub who is friends with the barman and is never wrong in an argument . . .

You, on the other hand, are one of those guys you occassionally see hanging around public toilets . . .

But I need to know this ?

*Buckaroo* wrote:But I need to know this ?

Google it.

Warnie's Mum is the team "doctor".

Aus is the new east germany of sports. sophisticated sports medicine coupled with a bit of wink wink on the side same as the BALCO episode. it beggars belief that a score of the biggest athletic stars in the world like marion jones and justin gaitlin could be doing this smoothly for a decade and "nobody knew". same we will find if put the inbred Aus under microscope which isnt easy because they are not an open society like US and getting our hooks into them is tough.

but if you see a couple of their world phamous swimmers drop dead at 45 from organ failure...you will know.

tac wrote:

Lankans number 2 in the world . . . how sad.

It is a worry, this current Sri lankan team has to be one of their weakest in years, their last major away series win was in pakistan in 99 and yet they are in the running for second spot?

Either the rankings don't give enough weight to away series wins or world cricket is really going down the drain.

tac wrote:

Merlo, Fink is just one of those loudmouths you meet in every pub who is friends with the barman and is never wrong in an argument . . .

You, on the other hand, are one of those guys you occassionally see hanging around public toilets . . .

Only coz it's cold and the bladder needs deballasting mate ...
Unlike some ... with wallet at the ready ... who will remain nameless ...

India and South Africa are both better teams than Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka are so high in the rankings due to their exceptional home record, and the fact that they drew series away with England and New Zealand in the last 18 months.

In home conditions, Sri Lanka only need Sangakkara, Jayawardene, and Murali most of the time, with the odd solid contribution from Vaas.

Sri Lanka sometimes plays disgraceful cricket, bat for 2 days and some 380 runs. Which is what some 1.5 rpo.

Absolutely shameful !