England v Sri Lanka

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Re: England v Sri Lanka

England have taken a handy lead of 93 runs. I think Sri Lanka will need to score in excess of 300 if they have to set a challenging target for England. England are in the drivers seat right now.
However, Murali has stolen all the attention as he becomes the world's highest wicket taker in tests with his 6 wicket haul.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

Thought Broad came back well from the umpire warning but you have to ask why was he doing it in the first place. I'll give him nerves but he doesn't seem like an overly nervous individual.

Anyway, Sri Lanka have their noses in front (just) at the moment and England need a strong day with the ball tomorrow. Bundle them out for 275 and we have a chance.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

Fair play to Sidebottom, did just what we needed and got us almost to the 100 lead, just need early wickets now.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

Wicket seems to have got a bit harder for bowlers if we can bowl them out for 300ish then he have a fair chance anything over 250 i can't see us getting.Pietersen is to bat at seven i hear too.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

Thats basically hte match gone and any chance of the series being won gone. With england the bowlers havent been performing and when they actually have the batsmen have failed them, need to work as a unit more.

COME ON ENGLAND!
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

england have lost the momentum in this match, murali has spun the game in lankas favour and pierterson with the broken finger is not a good sign, at least he can bat 4 and its only his little one
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

Only chance England will have is if they manage to get through the Sri Lankan line up before lunch. Bat at a high tempo for 2 1/2 to 3 sessions to hopfully set a 300 target in 2 1/2 - 3 session remaining.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

'Actually, it was the off break and was supposed to turn into his pads. But the ball was newer and it skidded straight on. I guess I was lucky.'

Quote of the Day! The Genius Murali admits that even he was bamboozled by his record breaking wicket.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

jayawardene missed out on his double ton. sri lanka are on top but their playing too slowly. i dont think there will be a result from this match. unless sri lanka bundle out england for less than 150-200 in the 2nd innings.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

Cannot believe that England have managed to get themselves into a situation where it seems that we are destined to lose the match. Monty needs more of the ball and playing another spinner was probably the right thing to do.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

i think murali has to bowl at least 35 overs tomorrow and if he does he will pick at least 5 wickets. i think england can save the test if they play positive cricket. should be an exciting day of play tomorrow. hoping that england manage to draw the match.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

Mahela Jayawardene is blaming England for the draw.
Jayawardene said:
We were definitely pushing for a victory to seal the series. We were disappointed the way England batted in the first innings on this pitch, scoring 351 runs in five sessions. It's quite difficult to win a Test match when you bat like that. If England want to win a Test, they probably need to bat quicker than that and put pressure on the opposition
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Although, England were slow in their first innings, Sri Lanka hardly made any effort to win the match. Their run rate was 2.93 per over compared to England's run rate of 2.77.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

Well, tomorrow sees a poignant return of cricket to Galle after the tsunami of 2004.

Hopefully the stand will be in a reasonable state but at the moment it's looking unlikely due to the weather. Also, a bit of a doubt over the pitch, with play already scheduled to start late, the first session effectively being lost.

As for the England team, I feel the only change will be the inclusion of Hoggard at the expense of Broad, although England may choose to strengthen the batting by bringing in Shah for Bopara. The wicket is an unknown commodity so this may be the safe option, especially as England have to win to draw the series.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

England won the toss and put Sri Lanka in, wise move although it does mean they will have to bat last on what may become a minefield.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

Was the start delayed by rain? The start was good for england and harmission is in good form so thats a very good sign for them.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's run rate is poor. They are going at the same rate as in the last match. England will need to get their runs quickly when they bat. Not been a good day for England so far.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

Not looking good for England. 5 down already and Murali hasn't taken a single wicket.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

chicmagnet said:
Sri Lanka's run rate is poor. They are going at the same rate as in the last match. England will need to get their runs quickly when they bat. Not been a good day for England so far.
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It's a test match and they don't have to have a good run rate.The longer they bat the less time England have of winning the game.England won't win anyway now not enough time in the game and the pitch looks flat.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

We finally got to lunch, 5 down but a chance to save the game?

A lot rests on Bopara and Bell, if they stay in for most of the next session the it swings back to us slightly.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

Less than 3 per over is very slow. They are giving themselves lesser chance of winning. They dont need to bat at faster if they want to draw the match. They'll win the series and go to number 2 by drawing this match so they probably dont care.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

Bad session for England. Bopara and bell have to bat all day because if they get out murali wont take much time to get the rest of the wickets.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

It seems that as soon as the media starts to focus on Prior he takes 2 steps backs, expect him to get out for low scores in this match.

Series has gone for England but hope they at least manage to draw this test. Work is needed on the team (as it always is) but I'm confident that we can move forwards.

If only we could scrub Australia from the standings then we'd have a great time for international cricket with so many teams at roughly the same level.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

Thats the end of that. Guess it would only be fair for Jayasuria to pick up 3 wickets so that takes over a 100 in tests.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

chicmagnet said:
Less than 3 per over is very slow. They are giving themselves lesser chance of winning. They dont need to bat at faster if they want to draw the match. They'll win the series and go to number 2 by drawing this match so they probably dont care.
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Sri Lanka don't care about winning.If they can draw they will be happy.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

there is some rain around which might yet save the england from loosing. wind is picking up and clouds are going darker, i will miss jayasuria.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka seem to be in total control right now. England need a special partnership to get themselves out of this situation. This might be an opportunity for Bopara to make a name for himself.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

A bit of a joke today, wasn't it. Very much an end of term feel to the match - England weren't joking when they said that were others things in life than cricket.

Prior will be lucky to stay behind the stumps for New Zealand and Bopara is looking out of his depth at the moment. Peitersen is in a rut and the rest of the batting line up just aren't getting the hundreds.

Also, what has happened to the Montser? 8 wickets at 51 on tracks he should thrive on.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

Ouch, Prior takes one to the neck from Fernando. At least he was alert enough to stop the ball rolling onto the stumps.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

England have fought back well in the 2nd innings. With some help from the rain they could save the game.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

Woo, got through to tea with Prior and Bell still in. Just need to last another 2 hours although that will more realistically be 60 maybe 90 minutes.
 
Re: England v Sri Lanka

Still a long way to go and I can't get a decent weather report from anywhere. Some places say it'll be dry others that rain is forecast.
 
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