Middlesex V Sri Lanka

Tomorrow sees the opening match of Sri Lanka' s Tour of England,and there will be much interest as they take on Middlesex in a 3 Day match at Uxbridge CC.
The Sri Lankans have yet to name their side,however Middlesex have announced a largely inexperienced side with a few notable exceptions.
The match marks the first game of the season for victorious Ashes Skipper Andrew Strauss,as well as Jamie Dalrymple who returns after a traumatic three year spell at Glamorgan.
Dawid Malan captains the side in the absence of regular skipper Neil Dexter,whilst Steven Crook and Anthony Ireland are other pre-season signings making their first-class debut for The County.
Sam Robson and Tom Smith also make their first appearances of the season,trialist Tom Pearson plus Academy prospects batsman Adam Rossington and quick bowler Gurjit Sandhu are also set to make their debuts.
John Simpson and Dan Housego are the only other regular first-teamers named.

Full squad:

Dawid Malan (captain)
Steven Crook
Jamie Dalrymple
Dan Housego
Anthony Ireland
Tom Parsons
Sam Robson
Adam Rossington
Gurjit Sandhu
John Simpson (wk)
Tom Smith
Andrew Strauss

P.S. Tamil Diaspora groups opposed to The Tour going ahead are set to stage a demonstration at The Ground ,however there is no fear of disruption to the match by what should be a peaceful protest.

Tour Match: Middlesex v Sri Lanka
Saturday, 14 May 2011 at Uxbridge, Day 1 of 3
Yet to begin

Middlesex: Strauss, Robson, Housego, Malan (C), Rossington, Dalrymple, Simpson (W), Smith, Ireland, Parsons, Sandhu

Sri Lanka: Dilshan (C), Paranavitana, Thirimanne, Chandimal (W), Samaraweera, P Jayawardene, Maharoof, Herath, Mendis, Lakmal, Welegedara

should be interesting I think. Good for Strauss to get a game, Don't rate Sri Lanka's seamers so this is a good chance for him to get on top of them. Never did understand why Dalrymple went to Glamorgan

and indeed Strauss and Robson have seen off the seamers it seems. Mendis into the attack, Middlesex 45/0

Dawid Malan captain that will be some good experience for him.

Interesting that Middlesex seem to have gone after Mendis. He's bowled 6 overs for 31 runs. Could Strauss be behind this?

Middlesex's weakened team doing a lot better than Surrey's against Cambs

To be fair Corporal, Housego and Strauss are both first team players (well Strauss would be without England commitments) so not much of a weakened team so far. Strauss hopefully laying down a marker for the summer.

I worry for Sri Lanka's bowlers to be honest. Middlesex 237/1 at tea! Strauss marks his return with a hundred, good on him!