England vs Sri Lanka 2nd test debate

First topic message reminder :

So the 2nd test is upon us,Will England make another tremendous win or will Sri Lanka fight back to win the 2nd test? All will be known in 5 days time.

The 12 man teams are as follow:

England
Andrew Strauss (C)
Alistair Cook
Jonathan Trott
Kevin Pietersen
Ian Bell
Eoin Morgan
Matt Prior (W-K)
Stuart Broad
Graeme Swann
Chris Tremlett
Steve Finn
Jade Dernbach

Sri Lanka (Can't find the 12 man squad anywhere)

Tillakaratne Dilshan (C)
Tharanga Paranavithana (Spell check!)
Lahiru Thirimanne
Kumar Sangakkara
Mahela Jayawardene
Thilan Samaraweera
Dinesh Chandimal
Prasanna Jaywardene (W-K)
Thissara Perera
Suraj Randiv
Ajantha Mendis
Rangana Herath
Dilhara Fernanado
Chanka Welegedara
Suranga Lakmal
Farveez Maharoof

Once again like the 1st feel free to discuss the action

And updates of the match will be up on the thread.

Just came in,looks certain for a draw now unless another big collapse from Sri Lanka.

Swann bowls a beauty but just goes wide of the stumps.

Sri Lanka are closing up shop. England with a lot of work to do in trying to force a victory here.

This is going to be a draw but it has had some great moments. The series itself has been very entertaining so far.

Only one down at tea ...Maximum 45 overs afterwards...

Looks like a draw...

It will have to be another massive collapse for Engand to get a result here.

Can't see Sri Lanka collapsing twice in two tests...well they shouldn't.

Needed probably Jayawardene out before tea to stand a realistic chance. Each batsman will of course have to play himself back in after tea, so you never know.

Even though Sri Lanka doesnt have the best batting line up, they have enough experience in there to see them home for a draw.

That said, they way there have been twists and turns in this series, i half expect another one

It'd certainly be nice, eirebilly! I'd say we need another 2 in the first 10 overs after tea to give us a shout.

I expect a few more wickets will fall...but not all 10.

SL will hold out for the draw...just. Probably a fair result too.

gonna be a draw

Defo 2 wickets in the first 10 is needed fists, especially Jayawardene, if England are going to force a result.

If England take early wickets and it's left with Maharoof and the tail you never know...

Yeah, these two currently occupying the crease are very measured players, whereas those a bit further down only really know one way - and that is to play shots.

na the order wont collaspe on this pitch, at cardiff it turned miles, at lords it is still very flat.

We can all live in hope of a collapse though..... right? Sorry any Sri Lankan fans on here but you know what i mean

And the players are back on,Finn to bowl the first over.

Finn bowling ok but Jayawardene having none of it. He wants to be carefull to not be too negative though.

I feel it's time like these that we could do with a real fast and aggressive seamer. In fact, England's attack would be perfectly balanced if we had the above alongside the swing of Anderson and the spin of Swann.

What just happened Fists??? Did you just become a Mod??

Fists of Fury wrote:I feel it's time like these that we could do with a real fast and aggressive seamer. In fact, England's attack would be perfectly balanced if we had the above alongside the swing of Anderson and the spin of Swann.

Someone like Freddie then?

Haha, yes eire, just like magic! I've been asked to moderate across the boxing, cricket and weightlifting boards.

Yes Liam, Freddie spoilt us really, somebody capable of extremely hostile 90mph bowling and with the capability to chip in the odd runs. Not sure how many up-and-coming seriously fast bowlers we have in county cricket? We have some good seamers for sure but express pace seems to be missing, unless I am overlooking someone?

Congrats then Fists

Sri Lanka just going through the motions now.

Thanks mate.

Yeah it'd seem they have gone into the most defensive of shells. Barring a lapse in concentration from one of these two the match should just meander along to a bit of a bore draw after all.

Fists of Fury wrote:Haha, yes eire, just like magic! I've been asked to moderate across the boxing, cricket and weightlifting boards.

Yes Liam, Freddie spoilt us really, somebody capable of extremely hostile 90mph bowling and with the capability to chip in the odd runs. Not sure how many up-and-coming seriously fast bowlers we have in county cricket? We have some good seamers for sure but express pace seems to be missing, unless I am overlooking someone?

If Freddie was fit he could of been up there with the greatest all-rounders of all time. Theres Stuart Meaker from Surrey who is a very fast bowler but lacks consistency at the moment but could be around the England scene in a year or two.

Not seen much of Meaker, Liam, how sharp are we talking?

That unfortunately is the trouble with a number of young bowlers that have express pace, they're about as consistent as butter on a hot stove. Think Sean Tait! He has improved to an extent but still has the tendency for a wild delivery here and there.

Even England seem to have resigned themselves to a draw.

He seems to keep on getting quicker FOF short run up but like Simon Jones produces genuine pace.

Consistency will come with age like it will for most young bowlers.

Shaun Tait's action was very wild which made him prone to bowling the odd wil delivery.

This match is winding down slowly. Cant blame Sri Lanka for closing up shop here. A draw here and they can still salvage a series draw.

STILL TIME!!

Jayawardene goes!,well caught by Pietersen in the slips and well bowled by Stuart Broad.

Will Broad produce something like he did in the Ashes?

huge wicket

Right then, let's have another and it really is game on.

Big wicket but i still feel its too little too late.


Quietly hoping here though

Almost certainly too little too late, but another one going quickly will certainly get a few nerves going - I can imagine the no 7 and no 8 reaching for their pads.

If England don't take another wicket in the next 5 overs,sadly I think it will certainly be a draw. A couple more wickets will put Sri Lanka under pressure though.

Funny old game is Test cricket, always keeps you drawn in

i think it will be a draw anyway, but good to get mahela.

Broad is giving away runs but at least he is getting the batsmen to play.

runs dont matter, they wont chase it down.

My very high hopes are slowly going down...

I am not worried abou the runs, trust me, i am just happy that Broad is getting them to play shots.

haha lol fair enough

It would be a pretty boring match if it was bowl and block for the last 30 overs

Swann almost gets Samarweera but the decisions overturned.

That was very close. Good use of a review.

This is actually very good from Sri Lanka considering what happened in the last test. Their nerves must have been on fire when they started this innings but they have never looked out of control.

Bringing Trott into the attack may well be a sign that England have gave up on bowling Sri Lanka out.

Looks that way Liam