Sri Lanka

SL have now lost 4/6 ODIs (2 to Pak and 2 to Eng) after WC'07 final, discounting their 3 ODI wins against Banglas at home.

Their batting relies too much on Jayasuriya making at least 50. He hasnt really done much with the bat since the world cup. His opening partner Tharanga has also been in bad form.

Surprising really.

They still have 2 other very good ODI bats in their ranks, Mahela and Sanga.

Sanga has also been in poor form of late. Two of their three world class bats are currently out of form. Also, Murali has been rested/injured since the world cup.

SL should be very concerned about Jaya's form. He has scored only 172 runs in his last 10 ODIs @ 17-odd.

And he is not getting any younger.

His bowling is as handy as ever, though. Maybe they should consider moving him down to number 6 or 7 to finish off the innings, and move Sanga up to open.

The coach has a lot on his plate to do and SL are in danger of losing a series to England here!

The post-Moody era will see SL rejoin the minnow ranks.

Speaking of minnows...when is the little cheating farker back for em?

Invader Zim wrote:Speaking of minnows...when is the little cheating farker back for em?

Once the chuckers-elbow clears up I guess. Not before the Aussie tour by the look of things . . . he may well pull out against Aus and concentrate on getting his wickets against the poms on specially prepared wickets in SL.

Henry wrote:...bat since the world cup. His opening partner Tharanga is sh!t.

Fixed.

He has been. Very average against moving ball. Somehow makes enough runs (which are useless in the match context) to keep his place. Asantha de Mel seems to be very fond of the guy. There are few openers in SL ranks, but current selection committee lacks a bit of imagination.

Migara wrote:He has been. Very average against moving ball. Somehow makes enough runs (which are useless in the match context) to keep his place.

That's exactly how I feel about Ian Bell as well. What can you do eh?

Lynch 'em?

Yeah, lob Karthik in there too.

And Gambhir for good measure.

The batting has ben going down a steady slide down. But things can change on faster wickets as Jayawardane and Sangakkara love extra pace on the ball. But then on faster wickets middle order is a problem.

The biggest sin selectors have commited is to forget Farveez Maharoofs role. He should play primarily as a batsman (yes he has 10 wkts from 3 games @ 9.5 against ENG) because it's his strong point. And we don't have big hitters in the line up other than him. But the selectors tend to drop him as a habit (possibly becayse he has less pace than Malinga and Fernando). 

Hoping to see everything clicking before the AUS tour. We have enough ammo to even topple the Aussie batting line up, but all bowlers hsould be at there peak then.
Batting has to click and 1-7 have to gain there lost form back.

Migara wrote:The biggest sin selectors have commited is to forget Farveez Maharoofs role. He should play primarily as a batsman (yes he has 10 wkts from 3 games @ 9.5 against ENG) because it's his strong point.

Spot on Migara. He needs sometime to play himself in. He looks a lot better when he gets to face balls.

Why is this page so wide?

Beats me. Even Harmison or Inzi weren't discussed.

doremi wrote:Beats me. Even Harmison or Inzi weren't discussed.

:laule:

I was trying to think up an Inzi connection but couldn't find the words - but you've nailed it with the Harmison swipe.

Nicely done.

So its 5/7 ODIs (2 to Pak and 3 to Eng) after WC'07 final for SL, and all those 5 losses coming in subcon.

And if one may want, add the failure of Twenty20 WC as well.