England vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test, Lords, June 3-7, 2011

Only enforced change for England will be a replacement for Jimmy Anderson.

The selectors will likely go with Finn, but many experts think Onions should get a recall. I'd like to see Onions back on the scene, if that's okay with everyone.

As for Sri Lanka, Perera bowled a decent spell, and Mendis, when on fire, is still the main threat in this depleted attack.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-sri-lanka-2011/content/squad/511901.html

Sri Lanka have obviously been speaking to the people who cloned Dolly.

Time well spent in Cardiff then.

Don't think Onions has done enough yet.

I'd probably favour Finn even though hes a bit samey, it's his home ground. Shazzers had a bit of a mare the last week, not in great form.

I don't think anyone will let us down, even Dirtbag god forbid.

DJ_Smerk wrote:Only enforced change for England will be a replacement for Jimmy Anderson.

The selectors will likely go with Finn, but many experts think Onions should get a recall. I'd like to see Onions back on the scene, if that's okay with everyone.

As for Sri Lanka, Perera bowled a decent spell, and Mendis, when on fire, is still the main threat in this depleted attack.

I agree, if Onions can be relied upon to bowl enough overs and is back to the pace he was at in 2009. Tremlett is a given and with Broad we've already got one tall bowler to repetitively bang it in short of a length and then bowl the odd jaffa. Onions would pose a different set of questions.

Mendis was distinctly unimpressive. It doesn't matter how many variations you have if you're not turning the ball they won't have any effect. Also Dilshan didn't seem to particularly trust him, would expect Randiv to get the gig at Lords.

Pity Woakes is injured, might've been a good time to blood him.

If Finn plays, it'll be the tallest attack in English test history, apparently....

Tremlett - 6 foot 8
Finn - 6 foot 7/8
Broad - 6 foot 5

As a measure of balance in the attack, you don't want too many hit the deck bowlers. Onions will be the most reliable of the three/four candidates for the spot IMO.

Understand about the sameness worries, though I think Finn does pitch it up a lot more than the others. Just not sure Onions has had enough cricket under his belt yet.

True, but I'm concerned that Finn might commit those airy-fairy balls like he did in Australia, relieving the pressure that Tremlett and/or Swann have built up at the other end. Home advantage might help his cause though, as you say.

I'd still prefer Onions, but as it's a risky move in its own right, Strauss will probably go with Finn anyway.

The main question is, will Broad look at the umpires?

Sri Lanka should probably keep their opening seamers, Lakmal and Perera, as they didn't get to bowl a second time at the Swalec.

Might want to think about dropping Maharoof and Herath. Bring in Randiv - as Gary mentioned - and Welegedera or Fernando depending on fitness.

From what I can recall, Fernando is the only one with a bit of pace on him.

Lanka bowling attack is reminiscent of their attacks in the 80s i.e. sh!t.

Welcome to the world post-Chuck, SL.

DJ_Smerk wrote:Sri Lanka should probably keep their opening seamers, Lakmal and Perera, as they didn't get to bowl a second time at the Swalec.

Might want to think about dropping Maharoof and Herath. Bring in Randiv - as Gary mentioned - and Welegedera or Fernando depending on fitness.

From what I can recall, Fernando is the only one with a bit of pace on him.

Aye, but even that's been on the wane ever since he moved to Chelsea.

Torres should train with the England boys before they play a test. They seem to play more football than cricket anyhow.

Sri Lanka's bowling for T2:

Lakmal
Welegedera
Perera
Mendis
Randiv

or they might ignore me and pick 3 spinners.

Alternatively they could recall Vaas and Murali.

skully wrote:Lanka bowling attack is reminiscent of their attacks in the 80s i.e. sh!t.

Welcome to the world post-Chuck, SL.

Yeah, with Vaas and Malinga recently retired too the cupboard is bare.

A bit like England in the dark days in the past, they've gone in with 5 bowlers to try and compensate for not having any quality strike bowlers - but if the best 4 can't do it it is unlikely the 5th will. And you also end up with a number 7 who only averages 20 in Test cricket.

I can see Sri Lanka falling back to Pakistan / Windies levels which is sad. Its just Jayawardene and Sangakkara that are sustaining them at the moment from being a very average side.

Has Upul Tharanga been banned too?

If so, it's another blow to the Lankans who, like the Aussies, have a bit of an aged batting line up. Still full of experience and runs amongst them, but how long can it last without the confidence of a good bowling attack behind them.

Re: Pakistan, I still think their bowling attack is adequate on more occasions than the West Indies. They would have been incredible on every continent if they weren't easily lured by the promise of dirty money.

Gary 111 wrote:

skully wrote:Lanka bowling attack is reminiscent of their attacks in the 80s i.e. sh!t.

Welcome to the world post-Chuck, SL.

Yeah, with Vaas and Malinga recently retired too the cupboard is bare.

A bit like England in the dark days in the past, they've gone in with 5 bowlers to try and compensate for not having any quality strike bowlers - but if the best 4 can't do it it is unlikely the 5th will. And you also end up with a number 7 who only averages 20 in Test cricket.

I can see Sri Lanka falling back to Pakistan / Windies levels which is sad. Its just Jayawardene and Sangakkara that are sustaining them at the moment from being a very average side.

Like our selectors have done to the Aus side, you mean?

Aye Skully, all is right with the world.

DJ_Smerk wrote:Only enforced change for England will be a replacement for Jimmy Anderson.

The selectors will likely go with Finn, but many experts think Onions should get a recall. I'd like to see Onions back on the scene, if that's okay with everyone.

The Onions call has no basis in real life - it's purely a past-glory shout. He's just had a career-saving back operation. There's no evidence that he's returned to the level his game was at when he got injured. He has less wickets this season than part-timer Ben Stokes.

Shahzad or - don't make me say it - D*enb*ch for the 12. In keeping with the continuity theme, Shaz was on the Ashes tour (and almost played at Adelaide, if reports are to be believed). Dirtybag took nine wickets against SL in the Lions game.

Seems like Finn's going to play anyway, so it's all a bit mooty.

Randiv is crap though, so there really is no use swapping him for either Herath or Mendis.

I don't think it matters who replaces Anderson. The 'Lankans will never recover from such a pathetic capitulation. Providing they don't get too cocky, England will walk it in.

Dernbach for Swann's sidekick according to cricinfo.

Jesus, it's happened. Jade Dernbach - England bowler. Deary me.

It's so mental it could just work.

Dear oh dear oh dear oh dear oh dear oh dear oh dear oh dear oh dear oh dear oh dear oh dear oh dear oh dear oh dear

Oh well, he's in form I suppose.

Jesus H Dirtbag.

Surely Finn will get the nod but he's getting dangerously close to an England cap