England v Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Old Trafford, 21-25 August, 2024

I can't see this being a very competitive series. Although the Lankan seamers may get some wobble in the Manchester conditions.

At least this is a 3 Test series.

Surprised Jimmy's not making a comeback here. More easy wickets.

Management can’t have been that fond of him.

Is he still playing County?

isnt he the bowling consultant?

Late sub

skully wrote:Is he still playing County?

There's been no official announcement, but he will struggle to fit any games in while he is mentor / coach with the test team. It will be interesting to see if he stays on in the role for the white ball stuff that follows.

It would appear that he wouldn't say no to a cheeky offer to play some franchise cricket somewhere.

skully wrote:I can't see this being a very competitive series. Although the Lankan seamers may get some wobble in the Manchester conditions.

At least this is a 3 Test series.

They were beaten comfortably by England "Lions". I use the inverted commas deliberately as the side was very much a development eleven which included 4 teenagers.

I would expect our starting eleven to be:

Duckett
Lawrence
Pope
Root
Brook
Smith
Woakes
Potts
Atkinson
Wood
Bashir

Team confirmed as above.

Has Creepy pulled a hammy or something?

Ah, nevermind, I remember he busted a finger or somesuch.

Odd to recall Lawrence who doesnt even open in the CC, whereas Cox the other chap called up but not selected, used to open at Kent even though he bats at 3 for essex now. its been hot for ages, but now the CC and tests restart, weather as usual looks rather damp for all 5 days.

Decent pitch cloudy skies, some soft dismissals SL 6-3, mendis got a vicious bouncer, but the other Mendis, SLs Mr Bazball [test av 107] to look forward to, but the forcast from thursday is miserable. Most of the runs come off Potts, whos the only england bowler whos been playing any cricket since the last test, so unhappy recall for him so far.

they started this match on a Wednesday because it's no chance of making it to the weekend, right?

7-169 at last check, with Dhananjaya the only decent bat so far.

I think the SL top 6 all average above or about 40, so england will be well pleased with the first day despite the last 3 wkts more than doubling the score. very dark the last hour even with the floodlites on so only the spinners could bowl. Chandimal got a grubber. But this was 1 of those days when its warmer in oz in winter than summer in england. Hopefully we,ll have play tomorrow after lunch at least.

After being 3-6 and 7-113, Lanka would be quite satisfied with their final 236 total, I'd reckon.

This was mainly due to captain de Silva' 74 and debutante Rathnayake's 72 (at no. 9, with a previous FC HS of 59!!)

The big Q is how this makeshift england side [which is a batter short without stokes] will bat. When it stops raining that is.

Lankans fighting hard here. England 2-61.

More runs for Smith. Bye bye Jonny. Keep walking.

Smith has been a great addition to the England side. He is very consistent with the bat and there have been no complaints about his keeping.

He’d make the Smith XI already.

Graeme
Cammie
Steve
Robin
MJK
Jamie
Ian
Chuck Fleetwood

Bowlers?

Collie?

Big Jim?

Aubrey. Round the corner.

A classy ton from Smith plus a productive effort from the tail got England to 358.

Lanka started disastrously in I2 with a 2-1 effort. Currently 2-10.

S/L 204 for 6 at the close, 82 ahead. Wood limped off before the close. Let's hope it's precautionary.