Sri Lanka - England Revitialised?

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:04:05:09:41:31 by Grockle.

One wonders whether the travails of this winter will serve to provide extra motivation for the likes of Messrs Carberry, Hildreth, Taylor and Bairstow?

Don't get me wrong, if the batting actually manages to fire in Colombo then the England selectors/management will be all too keen to sweep the first four tests under the carpet, IMO.

But if there is a fifth straight failure to put a respectable number of runs on the board then, surely, even this ultra conservative group will become at least interested in seriously considering alternatives?

I'm afraid there will be no Colombo Test musings as I am now safely back in the chilly North West of England. Well, the County Championship starts on Thursday and I have to get my priorities right!

Did we win?

I see the time-honoured solution to England's batting woes has duly been implemented;

A bowler has been dropped! Admittedly this particular bowler might have been dropped for his fielding, but still!!

And last I checked Monty had one bad test this winter. How many have Strauss, KP and Bell had?

One rule for one, another for the gilded batsmen...

How has Thilan Samaraweera today made test history?

Read this earlier, so I won't give the game away.

Well, somebody had to do it - glad it was at least a batsman (rather than, say, a Panesar or Anderson).

Isn't it because the batting is iffy that they've gone with a two spin attack but with Patel and Swann for their batting?

Unfair on Panesar as a bowler but he is no asset in the field or with the bat. I'm not sure Patel is either but as a second spinner he obviously got the nod because he bats.

Apparently, one reason was that they felt they had to play Bresnan to replace Broad's batting but that Bresnan's fitness to bowl is not fully trusted so he could not be one of a two man pace attack. Hence, Finn had to play too.

So, yeah, in a round about way it all comes back to nobody trusting the batting.

In future, to remove the excuse that 'we don't have any spare batsmen on tour,' I should like to see A tours arranged concurrently with the senior tours. i.e. the Lions go to Sri Lanka for a tour at exactly the same time as the senior party. That way if/when most of the senior batsmen do a lousy job, there can be no excuses about not having anybody else to hand.

Or perhaps, when they pick the party for India, they should heed the lessons of this winter and slightly re-balance the squad they take, so as to include more batting cover?

A lot of water has flowed under many bridges since my last visit to Sri Lanka in late 2007. On that occasion the dramatic changes had been wreaked by the force of nature; on this occasion the changes have been political and to a lesser extent economic. Political in that the civil war which had been hidden pretty well from tourists eyes on my previous visits in 1994, 2001 and 2007 finally ended in 2009. Economic in that political peace along with a will to rebuild the country following the Boxing Day tsunami of 2004 has brought investment on the back of events such as the cricket World Cup, though with equivocal success.

The methods that brought about the end of the civil war are to my mind dubious at best – no, I haven't seen the Channel 4 documentary aired last night, but I did see the original report that it was based on. It made harrowing viewing. I haven't been in Colombo long enough to be sure there is a difference, but to my mind there is far less of a 'security' presence – police and army checkpoints and the like - around the city compared to my previous visits.

SRI LANKA CRICKET BOARD XI v ENGLAND XI (15-17 MARCH 2012)
DAY 1

England's first 'warm up' match is held at the Premadasa Stadium. Refurbished for the 2011 World Cup it apparently will hold 35,000 (in some stands you would have to be good friends); it is quite an imposing stadium in the north of the city. As the home of most of Sri Lanka's one-day fixtures it is an alien ground to me, Test matches against England on recent tours have been staged at the smaller, less formal Sinhalese Sports Club in a leafy suburb close to the centre of the city. And yes, I know that Team England's newly full-time batting coach prefers the term 'preparation match' but in this climate the term 'warm up' is indeed just that.

Following a torrential storm last night – which with my 4am arrival I missed completely – there was much mopping up to be done and start of play was delayed by an hour. This gave Stuart Broad time to tread on the boundary rope during a fielding drill, turning his ankle and giving Steven Finn an unexpected starting slot in the team. There were no real surprises in England's line up which was, Broad excepted, the anticipated starting XI for the first Test starting a week on Monday. Ravi Bopara is the only other change from the final test of the ill-fated tour of the UAE, taking the spot vacated by Eoin Morgan. He would probably be expected to bowl a bit too as England stick with the tried-and-trusted four man attack. Personally I have my concerns about this. I know it has won England the Ashes, home and away, and taken them to number one in the Test rankings. But in the energy-sapping heat and humidity at Galle, the closest Test match venue to the equator, long spells by pace bowlers are not an option. If the team preparing the ground down on the south coast take to heart ICC comments about the rather sporty pitch served up for the last Test held there, against Australia, then expect something akin to the M5, though with as much pace and bounce as a futon. It will be a hard slog for just four frontline bowlers. And three days later they will have to trot out and do the same again at Colombo. Just a thought.

The Sri Lankan Board XI had few familiar-looking names. Captained by Prasanna, lesser-known glove-wearing namesake of Mahela, this Jayawardene had some success during Sri Lanka's tour of England last summer. There was also a Malinga but not he of the curly bleached highlights and low-slung wicket-seeking missiles. Malinga Bandara has represented Sri Lanka in Tests, ODIs and at T20, whilst Kent and Gloucestershire supporters may also know the name. These are the only two with test experience, of the rest opener Kurunaratne and bowler Perera have a handful of ODI caps between them. The team is a mixture of promising youngsters most with international under 19 experience and whatever the Sri Lankan equivalent of 'solid county pro' is.

However it is probably the least experienced of the bunch, opener Ashen Silva, 21 years of age and with just 17 first-class matches to his name, who earned the plaudits after Jayawardena won the toss and chose to bat and Strauss unleashed his attack dog, otherwise known as Jimmy Anderson. Anderson took the first four wickets to fall; two early in the innings and another two in close succession soon after lunch. Prasanna was the last of these wickets to fall and his departure for 2 brought Serasinge to join Ashen. Together they put on a painstaking 65. England went through a patch where they didn't look like taking a wicket. With the runs flowing at about two and a half an over this pair were certainly putting the 'bored' into the Board XI. Just as we were wondering when the tea interval would actually be on this day of delays and rearranged schedules Panesar forces a mistake-or a loss of concentration-from Serasinge. He is out caught by Trott for 31 off 66 balls, sparking a collapse whereby the Sri Lankans lost three wickets in the final ten minutes before tea, two for Panesar and the prize wicket of Ashen for Finn. Ashen top scored with 66 off 179 balls with 8 fours.

The collapsing bug continued after tea. By this time the clouds had rolled in, there was thunder around and it was more a case of when, rather than if, either rain or poor light would bring an end to the day. But Panesar wasn't finished and punctuated by some lusty blows from the tail he added the final three wickets to his tally. Panesar inked his name onto the starting sheet for the first Test-if there was any doubt - with 5-for. Anderson didn't get the chance to add to his four wickets – Strauss changed his mind when the light was deteriorating and brought Swann on instead for Finn at the opposite end to Panesar in the dying stages of the innings. Even the gift of tail-enders couldn't get Swann a wicket; his one contribution to the scorecard being a catch in the deep that he didn't really have to move more than a yard or two to pouch, of course off the bowling of Panesar.


Assorted train and taxi fares – approx £43
Flights Manchester>Heathrow>Bahrain>Colombo – approx £248
Entry to Premadasa Stadium – Free
Seeing the look on Swanny's face as Panesar walks off with 5-for – PRICELESS


During the ten minute interval between innings the clouds built up and the thunder rumbled ever closer. Fat spots of rain began to fall midway through the first over of England's innings and it was only sensible considering the downpour the night before that the umpires called a halt and allowed the groundstaff to do their thing with the covers. As it was the rain didn't amount to more than a spattering; as I write this there has been no repeat of 24 hours previously so hopefully things will start on time tomorrow. England's bowlers have carried on where they left off against Pakistan, but the real questions – about England's batting ability against slow bowling – remain to be answered.

Thanks Baggy - great to have your reports back to entertain us in the run-up to the real cricket season. Stay safe and enjoy SL - forget the troublemakers at C4.

Next best thing to being there.

Thanks, Bagpuss.

Excellent Bag will move this to the front page later.

I probably won't be joining you at Galle as the info about SL cricket put me off making my first visit to the country and I've got too much stuff to do to clear the decks and make ready for my return to Taunton in early June. However let me know what the plans are for travelling to the first Test (it also ends the day I'm supposed to be back at work)

I'll be popping over to have a look at the Lankies possibly during the break. So some international stuff just before the start of really important games.

We should change the name of this website to Grockles International.
Very good report as usual Bagpuss.We get better coverage on here than the national newspapers.

Did you expect less BR? The nationals may very well be picking stuff up from here as it is distributed through the News Now database by SN.

I trust Bagpuss's words will get the Union rate!!!

What a very good report ‘Bagpuss’ I hope you added a (c) on the end of that excellent piece.

With reference to the first part of your initial post, Bagpuss;

It used to be confidently asserted by some (if not all) that;

"In a 'democracy,' no 'terrorist,' group could ever be defeated by purely military means."

I suspect Mr Rajapaska's government probably thinsk that it has succeeded in defeating what it considered to be a terrorist movement (not sure whether his government considers itself to be at the helm of a true democracy).

However, I rather suspect that they will proven wrong in due course.

36 hours on from my arrival in Sri Lanka and I have yet to become acclimatised. Some would define this as becoming tolerant of the high temperatures and humidity. Others to overcoming the effects of jet lag – physiologists tell me that when travelling from west to east this takes one and a half days for each hour's time difference (just over a week then). My rule of thumb is that my body is at one with the subcontinental environment from the moment I blow my nose...and the bogies are BLACK....

To speed up this acclimatisation I switched from the relative luxury of AC taxi transport to the local train network. In a typical congested city it is no quicker to travel by car – especially if you factor in the inevitable haggling over price. It is also way cheaper. So when my taxi failed to return to collect me from the ground after close of play last night – and I gave him more than a chance, waiting nearly an hour, I decided the train it would be.

Rail transport in this part of the world is confusing at best – stations are usually chaotic, with incomprehensible announcements and similar signage. In India you will usually get a couple of cows who seem to live there strolling up and down the platform. I managed to buy a ticket and was informed that any train from platform 7 would take me to my destination. What wasn't made clear that there would be no trains arriving at platform 7 for quite some time. Many a local mozzie had decided to 'go for an English' by the time a train arrived over an hour later to whisk me home for the night.

SRI LANKA CRICKET BOARD XI v ENGLAND XI
DAY 2

Sticking with the 10p return train travel I still have to get to grips with the timetable, but get to the ground just an hour after the scheduled start of play – not bad, but I've missed an hour and twenty minutes. Another common problem with watching cricket abroad is the complete lack of information about what is going on – changes to start times to make up time lost is the classic example. Anyway, it is a relief to see the wickets box on the scoreboard still blank as England's captains (Test and ODI) are making steady if unspectacular progress. My fellow England supporters tell me there have been no anxious moments other than a half chance offered by Strauss, a late cut just catching the fingertips of a diving gully fielder.

Certainly there doesn't seem anything to make them sweat amongst the Sri Lankan bowlers' offerings (the weather is another matter, it feels several degrees warmer today with very little in the way of breeze as relief). It is therefore somewhat of a surprise to all when Strauss is trapped lbw just ten minutes before lunch. He looked unimpressed as he walked off, whether his annoyance was with himself or the decision is anyone's guess. Still, his 40 runs should keep the more bloodthirsty in the media box off his back for a bit longer.

Trott was looking his usual unflustered self after lunch and matters were progressing quite nicely when he too was given out lbw. To say Trott looked flabberghasted is an understatement – he was busy marking his guard when the umpire's finger went up (and not in a 'if-I-don't-look-you-in-the-eye-you-won't-give-me-out' way). We in the stands were pretty surprised too; there was definitely a woody sort of noise and Trott confirmed later he'd hit it. Oh well, best to get your bad decisions over with when it doesn't really matter (no, I didn't actually tell him that.)

I'm not sure if it was just a step (several steps?) down in class of bowling faced but Pietersen looked a lot happier than he did in the tests against Pakistan. The cat-on-hot-bricks fidgeting had gone. Of course his one-day knocks will have gone a long way to restoring his confidence, and I suspect KP is very much a 'confidence' player. He certainly made runmaking look far easier than any other batsman so far – from either team. This outfield is soooo slow, but suddenly sweetly timed balls were racing to thee boundary. Cook fed off his confidence and played a few more shots of his own, but it did look as though Pietersen was planning on reaching his hundred before Cook, despite giving him a hefty head start of over 50. He may well have done so, too, if our trigger-happy umpire hadn't put an end to things with Pietersen sweeping and missing the spinner. Another unhappy batter, though this dismissal probably looked the closest of an unconvincing bunch. Ian Bell would have loved to have stuck around long enough to get a dodgy lbw decision. As it was his 2012 nightmares continued with a second ball duck. If this is karma then Bell had better stop off at a temple or two on the way back to the hotel and make some offerings to the gods.

After tea there was a steady stream of batters going out to partner an unruffled Alastair Cook, each soon returning to the dressing room to be replaced by another suitor. In the end it was the unlikely form of Jimmy Anderson, maybe reprising his nightwatchman role, who stuck with Cook until close of play. England are 303-8, a lead of 134 runs. Alastair Cook has made more than half of England's total. He is close to overtaking the Sri Lankan board total single-handedly, though I suspect Strauss may choose to declare overnight and give the bowlers another run out in the morning. A heavy downpour in Colombo at about eight o'clock this evening may delay the start tomorrow.

What time is play scheduled to start tomorrow? Your guess is as good as mine. Now, where did I put that box of tissues...

I am catching up on the site, having been away (to another island beginning with "S"). Lovely reports, Baggers - including some lines which made me smile, not least "If this is karma then Bell had better stop off at a temple or two on the way back to the hotel and make some offerings to the gods"; and I love the idea of incoming batsmen being suitors.

As to transport, you might want to consider (if you haven't done so already) local buses when you get to Galle - they worked for our family when we were in Sri Lanka a few years ago.

SRI LANKA DEVELOPMENT XI v ENGLAND XI = PREVIEW

England go into their second warm-up match of their Sri Lanka tour tomorrow. The opposition for this three day match is a Sri Lankan Development XI. Will England stick with their 'probable' first Test team, or will they choose to rest a couple of players and give other squad members a run out?

It is always a dilemma on truncated tours such as this. If a batsman is in form, he wants to play to keep in the groove. If he is not, he wants to play to find it. As far as the first match against the Board XI is concerned, only Alastair Cook presented a good case for a few days off this week. Notwithstanding the fact that he seems to me the sort of chap who just wants to bat, and bat, and bat some more, I'm not sure if leaving him by the pool for a few days would really help England's preparation. There is no obvious replacement opening bat in the squad – yes, Trott could be pushed up into the opening slot and would probably do quite well – but he didn't have much time in the middle in the opening match (thanks to a shocker from the umpire) and I'm sure he would feel more settled coming in at his usual spot first drop. Pietersen, Bell and Bopara have all opened for club or country in one-day cricket at least, but all to a greater or lesser extent need settled time in the middle without the added stress of being a locum opener.

Prior too needs batting time; he also didn't have the tidiest game with the gloves in the opening tour match, although to be fair to the keeper most of his problems seemed to be with Swann at his most wayward. As there seems to be no faltering from the two-pace plus two-spin four-man attack that England has set in stone it is just down to choice of personnel. Broad did bowl at net practice today but this game may be a day or so too soon for his ankle. England must decide whether to risk him tomorrow, for a three day match, when the ankle may not be quite ready, or to plan on going into the first Test with no overs in the middle under his belt (or batting, for that matter). An alternative would be to play 12-a-side, with eleven batting and eleven fielding; that way they could give Broad an extra day before he has to play. It would mean the match loses its first-class status and would require agreement from the home side. It would also go against all the Strauss-Flower principles in that these tour matches are to be taken seriously, not just as glorified net sessions.

There is maybe a case for resting Anderson, who took seven wickets in the first tour match, and bringing in Bresnan. Swann looked rusty in the first match, although he was also unlucky with a couple of dropped (or completely missed) catches and more than one umpiring decision that went against him. He and Panesar will probably both play tomorrow. Patel, Tredwell and Davies will most likely carry the drinks.

Maybe just what I think nothing official England XI to play Sri Lanka Development XI
Strauss (c), Cook, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Bopara, Prior (wk), Bresnan, Broad (or Finn), Swann, Panesar.

I very much dislike those 12-a-side type affairs.

The cricinfo headline says "Silva's 163 grinds England."

An odd description, given that he made 163 off only 180 balls.

Even Marcus would be quietly content with that kind of strike rate over 180 balls.

Based on the scorecard then 'blasts England,' might be more apt?

The Barmy Army are boycotting going into the ground at Galle for the Test Match, due to unreasonable prices being set.I think the price set was 12 times the price for last test at Galle.They have set themselves up on The Fort.I'm sure I saw Bagpuss up there a few minutes ago.

She did say she might do that. You can certainly hear the trumpeter but I'm not sure if he is in the ground or not.

Well I'll be watching seeing as how liveonlinefooty.com and my PS3 have saved me about 275 quid in the sense that I can watch live cricket at home for 4 Rials rather than paying to fly to AD to watch a bit of a jolly between a team made up of too many semi-has beens and the previous county champions.

Life is OK today.

The Fort has been renamed The Jimmy Summerfield Memorial Stand after a member of the Barmy Army who passed away recently.

Between matches I have moved house in Colombo. Gone are the days when you could lounge in four or five star luxury for the price of a Travelodge just off the A1. Top-end accommodation in Colombo comes at top-end prices. Mid-range accommodation isn't that cheap either, but I had managed to find a hotel in a reasonable area (safe to walk home at night) at an affordable cost. Only problem was the adjacent night club/karaoke bar (listed as a selling point in Lonely Planet) seemed to be adjacent to my room. Now Eighties hits at full volume at 2am is one thing, but when a tone-deaf native Sri Lankan is singing to the backing track....

I have moved to what was slightly generously advertised as an 'apartment'. I have my own gate, small garden to sit in and own front door. The room has a fridge, microwave, gas hob and out the back, glory be, a washing machine and line to dry clothes. The (Waitrose end of the market) supermarket is a 200 yard walk and has bacon. Hello self-catering heaven!

The downside is that it is a slightly longer walk from the SSC, maybe half an hour at a brisk pace rather than twenty minutes. Those extra ten minutes may not sound much but is equivalent to 258 approaches by tuk-tuk drivers asking if Madam needs a taxi. Considering having a T-shirt printed “No, I don't need a ****ing taxi”. Other possible items in the T-shirt range “No, I don't want to go to the elephant festival” (there isn't an elephant festival 364 days of the year, they just show you an elephant wandering around in the park) and also “No, I can't help you with your visa”.

SRI LANKA DEVELOPMENT XI v ENGLAND XI
Singhalese Sports Club, Colombo 20-22 March 2012

My team selections proved a little off the mark as England chose to rest Alastair Cook along with Jimmy Anderson and Monty Panesar for this second and final warm-up match before the first Test. Broad is declared fit enough to play and comes in along with Bresnan and Patel. Patel is probably good enough to be considered a fifth bowler, and with Bopara to fill in a few overs and even Pietersen to turn his arm over this team gives a lot more options on the bowling front. Trott is pencilled in to open with the captain but will Pietersen come in at three, or will Bell be expected to leapfrog him in the order? Not an ideal situation for any batsman short on form and runs. In the middle order England now have both Ravi Bopara and Samit Patel – will this match prove to be a tiebreaker between the two for the number six spot? For those in favour of the five-man bowling attack Bresnan must be considered in the mix too.

England would have loved to bat first in this match. Some of the batsmen are in serious need of runs in the middle, and it would have (hopefully) given the Broad ankle an extra day recovery time. So it was sod's law that Kandamy won the toss and invited England to spend the day toiling in the heat in the field. And it was a trifle warm out there today. Gone were the clouds that made intermittent appearances at the Premadasa; just blue skies all day under powerful sun.
England and Broad had the dream start when Warnapura was caught by Bopara off the third ball of the match. Munaweera became Broad's second victim, bowled in the 9th over, the fifth of Broad's spell. England had the Development XI at 38-2 and all was well with the world. It was a reflection of the extreme heat that despite taking a wicket Broad comes off after five overs – this is probably the maximum a pace bowler can be expected to bowl in these conditions. In this heat everything is hard work and takes a bit longer – just twelve overs were bowled in the first hour before a welcome drinks interval. The over rate was improved with the introduction of spin in the form of Swann but there is no effect on the scoring rate as Silva in particular takes a liking to him. Swann, he of the magic touch and numerous wickets in the first over of a spell, goes for 30 off his first 4 overs. Silva passes his half century and the home team reach 103-2 at lunch.

It takes a while but after lunch Strauss, whose brain is preprogrammed to shuffle four bowlers, suddenly realises he has another spin option and Samit Patel gets a bowl. By this time Silva and Kandamby have put on over 100 runs and are looking comfortable. It was rather a surprise when Patel got one to turn and bowled Kandamby. But breaking the partnership – of 151 – did not result in a tumble of wickets as Angelo Perera took over where Kandamy left off, playing foil to Silva as either side of tea they built another sizeable partnership. The seam bowlers were struggling to find a length that will keep a lid on the run rate, never mind taking a wicket as anything on a good or full length is driven, anything short of a length just sits up and asks to be hit. Chamara Silva went from 142 to 150 with consecutive boundaries but then either got a bit careless or lost concentration. He offered a chance to Bresnan on the square leg boundary but he didn't manage to take it. Bresnan gets to heave a sigh of relief a couple of balls later when Silva top edged to Trott at deep fine leg, this time there was no mistake. Chamara Silva is out for 163 and on today's performance, with the problems Sri Lanka have had with their opening batsman in recent years, it is surprising Chamara has only played 11 Test matches, the last of these almost four years ago.

England now had a pair of Pereras at the crease but they didn't let up, adding 60 runs for the fifth wicket in under 14 overs. England took the new ball as soon as it became available – understandably so, the old one wasn't getting them anywhere. I can't imagine the likes of Broad, Bresnan and Finn particularly relished a final push at the end of the day but Broad got his first ball to come back in at Perera (J) who had chosen to leave it. It must have been plumb as a plumb thing because I haven't seen an umpires finger go up so fast all tour. It was the filip England needed to keep everyone going for the final ten overs of the day but it aws hard – by this stage of the day players were taking any opportunity they had to get water on board, players were coming on and off the field and as Broad bowled that first over with the second new ball his slip cordon was Anderson, Swann and Tredwell. It was with some relief that the players shuffled off once the ninety overs were completed.

Despite all the drinking going on, at the end of the day players were reporting weight losses of 4 kilos or more. This is not good – research has shown that there is progressive deterioration in mathematical ability, short term memory, reaction time and visuomotor function (hand-eye co-ordination to you and me) beyond 2% fluid deficit. Now I don't have the individual player weights to hand, obviously, but 4kg loss is 4% fluid deficit from someone weighing 100kg, or 5% of a more svelte 80kg. You can see where I am coming from here. Now all of you who moan about the water carrier coming out every time a wicket falls, even if there's three in the over, think about this.

England have had a reality check today. Cricket, particularly Test cricket, in Sri Lanka is hard work, physically and mentally draining, often with long periods without reward. I think it was a lesson they needed to learn before the Tests start. If England have the Barmy Army as their twelfth man, Sri Lanka have the hot, humid energy-sapping conditions helping their cause. Putting aside the fact that England were definitely the team in second place today, I enjoyed watching the home side batting. The smaller ground and faster outfield meant the batsmen got some value for their shots, which were played all around the wicket. England missed the experience of Anderson. They missed Panesar for his control and maybe more so for his infectious enthusiasm – yes, we do all smile like an indulgent parent when he appeals yet again for an lbw that is obviously too high, but at least he is convincing his team that there is something happening for the bowlers out there.

I am not sure if this match is being played under the same conditions as the first with a 100-over limit on the first innings, but at some stage tomorrow England must show that they are prepared to dig in with the bat in reply to na sizeable total. As a rehearsal for what may happen in the Tests to come, it couldn't be better practice.

4 kilos? Really? That seems incredible. Presumably applies to fast bowlers only?

I suspect that since his relative position of 'best spinner in the world' 12 months ago, Swann could well be only England's third best spinner on this tour. He could just be out of form, or has begun to believe the media hype about his bowling, or even the dreaded 'old age' is catching up, like so many of us?
Going for none for plenty (20 overs for over 100) in this 'trial?' is not the best way to keep one's test place!.

Got a better return in teh second innings last week, though. He'll be fine - we can't read too much into individual innings.

Thanks Baggy - another great piece of work, in that heat - hope you lost less than 4 kgs writing that!

Names weren't named in the weight-loss comments. Obviusly the fast bowlers are going to be the most susceptible to losing fluid but all the players are at risk - even just standing still, in temperatures out in the middle that got to the mid 40s today - will esult in plenty of fluid loss through sweating. If anything the fast bowlers are at and advantage in that they are usually fielding in the deep and can have a water bottle - regularly replenished - and take small drinks between balls during the overs when they aren't bowling.

The rest of the team do not have this opportunity to keep drinking throughout the day - they have to take fluids on board at the (hourly) drinks interval or when a wicket falls - and there were long periods of time today when that didn't happen. Later in the day the players were being taken off for short spells presumably to take fluid on board. I would be interested to know how much weight Matt Prior lost today; the keeper doesn't get rotated off the field for the break and also is wearing gloves and sometimes a helmet both of which will reduce heat loss. He even kept wicket without his pads on for part of the day today, such was the heat.

The thing is SP I could probably do with losing the weight - though not as fluid! To be honest I work on the principle of maintaining a mild level of dehydration when at a tour match in some countries - it means I rarely have to check out the quality of the plumbing facilities at the grounds! Of course I can cope with a mild drop in mathematical ability, whilst my short term memory (where did I put my phone?) is no worse than usual and I have never had much in the way of hand-eye co-ordination!

Another wonderful report, Baggers - very many thanks.

England's Tour of Sri Lanka – The story so far.

England arrived in Galle on the back of morale-boosting wins in their two preparation tour matches (words chosen carefully there as the now full-time batting coach deplores the term 'warm-up). The first win was by dint of a good bowling performance; although there were obviously still issues with the batting, a big hundred from Alasttair Cook along with contributions from captain Strauss along with Pietersen gave England enough of a first innings lead to bowl the SL Board XI out twice for an innings victory.

Stand out performances with the ball came from Monty Panesar with 5-for in the Board XI first innings along with Anderson who took seven in the match.. He, Monty and Cook sat out the second practice match, as did Steven Finn who had been a last minute substitute for Stuart Broad, injured in the warm up. This second match was on a flatter, slower pitch with a faster outfield; scoring runs was much easier and England learnt that a day in the field with not much help for the bowlers is a draining, soul-destroying experience in the heat and humidity of Sri Lanka. I think it was a wake up call the England camp sorely needed.

The victory came about courtesy of some sharp dealings between the captains; following an opening partnership between Strauss and Trott who both scored unbeaten tons England declared with only 4 wickets down (the two openers retired out) and 159 runs behind. In theory, this being a three day match, the Sri Lankan development XI could have asked England to follow on, but they batted and helped by some tasty buffet bowling by Trott and Bell on the final morning they set England 360 to win off 64 overs. This they achieved with just over three overs to spare and without either Strauss or Trott called upon to bat again.

It seemed an unlikely victory at the time of the declaration but the pitch wasn't doing much and neither to be honest were the home team's bowlers. Pietersen, Patel and Bopara all made half centuries but it was Matt Prior's 84 runs off just 60 balls that put England in a position to chase down the total. Ian Bell continued a sorry run with just 14 in the first innings and then strangled down the leg side in the second – I for one don't think he hit it – for 11, which included a straight six to get off the mark. On the bowling side Broad came through the match looking no worse than he had at the start, although he never looked 100%, Bresnan was economical without looking particularly threatening, Swann, with match figures of 1-132 off 27, may not have been entirely outbowled by Samit Patel (1-127 off 24) but surely there should be a wider gulf between one of the world's top rated spinners and England's 3rd ranked spinning batsman?

SRI LANKA v ENGLAND 1ST TEST, 26-30 MARCH 2012, GALLE
Day 1

Team England had much to ponder on their team selection for the first Test. The top four, along with Prior, Swann, Broad, Anderson and Panesar would be sure to start. Would Bell keep his place? I for one thought he would (although I'm not saying I entirely agree with that, its probably my bowlers' union suspicions that batters get far more final chances than bowlers do). If Bell's place is secure then there is just one place up for grabs – the batting spot at 6 occupied (all too briefly at times) during the Pakistan series by Eoin Morgan.

A small buzzy fly in he ointment is the announcement from the England camp that Ravi Bopara has a minor side strain which will prevent him from bowling, although he would be fine to play as a specialist batsman. If he were to play it would mean that England went into the match on the Test match ground closest to the equator with just four frontline bowlers and very little backup. I felt that unless there were thoughts of dropping Bell then Bopara would be unlikely to play. That left Patel, the better bat, and Bresnan, whose Test match stats read played 10, won 10, competing for the final place.

News that the Galle pitch has not been watered the day before the match suggests this could be the first Test since the 1992/3 Test in Bombay where England start with three genuine spin bowlers (in that match Graeme Hick bowled a lot of overs alongside Tufnell and Emburey; if you don't want to classify Hick as a spin bowler then you have to go back to 1980/81 in the West Indies where Emburey, Willey and Miller all played in the first Test).

It is bright, sunny and HOT in Galle as Mahela Jayawardene, back in the captain's role, wins the toss for Sri Lanka and unsurprisingly chooses to bat. The England line-up is revealed; Bell keeps his number 5 spot, Patel gets the nod (just one more Test and England would have equalled the record number of consecutive Tests -22 - without introducing a player on debut) but he is down to bat at 7, below Matt Prior who is elevated to the heady heights of number 6, where many say he should be anyway.

The 500 or so England supporters in the cheap seats (actually the free seats) up on the Fort settle in for a hard morning cheering the team in the field without any great expectation of wickets tumbling. Hopes are not helped by a wasted referral in the first over of the match – the ball from Jimmy Anderson had clearly pitched outside leg stump. I thought England had got more savvy about these referrals, maybe ths could be put down to first-morning-of-the-series jitters. But if the Sri Lankan's were celebrating it did not last long as in his next over Anderson tempts Thirimanne to prod at a ball around off stump and the edge goes to Swann at second slip; he follows up next ball to Sangakkara who is tempted and edges this time to Prior. Catching practice is completed in the next over as Broad gets Dilshan edging and Strauss takes the catch. Sri Lanka are 15-3 in the 4th over, a start England can only have dreamed of.

Of course, its never going to stay that easy and Samaraweera joins Jayawardene in a 50-partnership taking Sri Lanka to the lunch break still three down and during which time England lose their second DRS referral, admittedly this time on an 'umpires call' decision.

Shortly after the resumption Samaraweera was done for by his own captain, or rather a straight drive by Jayawardene that Anderson parried onto the stumps at the non-strikers end. Samaraweera, backing up, was well short of his crease. Chandimal who is one of four international keepers in this Sri Lankan side (the others being Sangakkara, Dilshan and the man in possession of the gloves here, Prasanna Jayawardene) joins Jayawardene, M. They put on another 50 partnership and an increasingly dangerous looking Jayawardene cruises past his own 50. Chandimal proves to be just a danger to himself as he takes a big swish across the line and the top edge is caught by Bell at cover. A first test wicket for Samit Patel; just one more and the unimpressive stats of the Sri Lankan tail will be at England's mercy.

Prasanna Jayawardene had a reasonably successful tour of England last summer and he was building towards another 50 partnership with his namesake when Anderson swung one back into his pads. As the last recognised batsman and with their DRS reviews untouched it was not a surprise when the decision was reviewed, equally it was not a surprise when the review confirmed he was plumb. Sri Lanka are 170-6 shortly after tea and England must be hoping they can run through the tail fairly quickly – I am looking optimistic with all out for under 200, more realistic companions say 250. Both opinions proved short of the mark as far as Sri Lanka were concerned. Randiv was run out by a Strauss direct hit, Herath held up an end whilst Jayawardene reached his inevitable 30th Test hundred, then used up the Sri Lankan's remaining review to no avail when he'd been hit on the pads sweeping Patel. England took the second new ball one ball into the 83rd over – not sure why they waited the extra couple of overs, although Broad had been bowling up until the 74th, so maybe needed a bit more of a breather. The new ball brought a late flurry of runs and Jayawardene's 150. He and Welgedera took Sri Lanka to the close at 289-8, Jayawardene on 168*, Welegedera 10*.

It is difficult to say who is on top after the first day of the series. Both teams will be ruing missed opportunities. Jayawardene apart, no Sri Lankan batsman pushed on and many got out to needless or careless shots – Dilshan in particular looked as though he hadn't flicked the switch to 'Test' from 'One Day' mode. England would have hoped for better after such a dramatic start, but maybe would have taken 289-8 if offered once they had lost the toss before play started. Their 'missed opportunity' list has Monty Panesar's two dropped catches in the final hour at the top of the list, the first a little tricky, looking into the sun, the second pretty much a sitter.

Putting aside the fact that the culprit was Monty I do wonder how much a day in the field in these conditions was a contributing factor – just 2% dehydration will affect reaction time and hand-eye co-ordination, this worsens with increasing dehydration. For someone weighting 80kg, this is a water deficit (ie weight loss during the day's play) of just 1.6kg. During the second warm up match weight losses of up to 4kg were reported. Mike Atherton was heard to comment today on the frequency of 'unofficial' drinks breaks and stated that dehydration is part and parcel of Test cricket in Sri Lanka. That may be so, but so is a dose of the trots, and in the past even malaria. It doesn't mean its not a good idea to try all possible means of preventing it. Dehydration, especially accompanied by loss of salts through sweating, can have profound effects on nerve and muscle function – including cardiac muscle. I for one am quite happy to accept a few pauses in play in these conditions if it prevents the sort of scenes at White Hart Lane last week (and no, I'm not being neurotic about this, we are tiptoeing into an area I have some knowledge of, it could happen).

Of course if England can extract the final two wickets with little effort tomorrow morning it would help their physiology along with their morale no end. Then the plan must be to bat long – they don't need to make runs quickly; hopefully the batters will have had a good look at the methodical way Jayawardene has accumulated more than half of the Sri Lankan total. This pitch is only going to go one way and I would get very twitchy about any sort of run chase on the final day.

Great report Baggy - please could you start doing the ones on the other SCCC website when you get back?

Assuming they can take the last two wickets fairly early on tomorrow, the batsmen need be in no hurry. Noticeably, Jayawardene and the few others who stayed with him dribbled along at around two an over until later in the day when the bowlers tired. Although the SL bowlers will be more accustomed to the heat, it'll still get to them and their fielders if they're kept out there long enough.

She can do the ones on THIS SCCC site if she's at games when she gets back Shep as can anyone else at a game. I'm not going to see a game until late June and will not get to anything but a 3 hour version until the start of July.

If anyone wants to put a report on a day's play on the forum I will most happily convert it to the frontpage.

Thanks

Not enough time for me to do anything like that, all my time is taken up with my photos I have just finished dealing with today's.

Oh, i quite agree Grockle - it's just that the regular match reports on the other site are so tortuous, light on insight and poorly written. Baggy's are just the opposite.

Well we're happy to franchise ours to them if they would like them... small fee we're not proud.

I wonder if the following words, contained in the Independent on Saturday and attributed to G A Gooch will prove prescient?

"It would be folly to panic in terms of the batting after one poor tour. But everybody is all too aware that the picture changes utterly if a second poor batting tour were to immediately follow."

Obviously, I realise that Monty Panesar has had an unfortunate hand in the current complexion of this Test. But, still, shouldn't we expect the batsmen to do better than this against this bowling attack?

Yes we should - tho I suspect they're not actually trying to get out. Of course, the irony is that the person whose place is in most danger was far and away the best of the top seven today!

Its been a long day in the sun so report on the day's play will have to wait till tomorrow. Meanwhile this is why so many supporters are up on the fort rather than in the ground


Sri Lanka has always been a popular venue on the cricket tourist's calendar. It is easy to get to with plenty of options for flights. The people of Sri Lanka love their cricket and are friendly and chatty when you meet them at the grounds – most speak a little English and are keen to practice their conversation skills. There are historic sites, beautiful beaches and a famous elephant orphanage to see on the days between cricket, or for non-crickety partners to occupy themselves whilst you are worrying about whether Stuart Broad is pitching it too short yet again. The only downside is with the hot and humid climate this is probably not the place to bring small children.

At least that is what I thought. But another downside has sprung up this tour. Sri Lanka has always been a tour venue for people on all budgets – here in Galle the Amangalla Hotel in the fort has a suite available for two nights this week for the not inconsiderable sum of US$1250. That's certainly not in my price range (about 3 months mortgage payments). Just around the corner in the little back streets of the fort you may be lucky to find a room available in a small guest house for about 10 quid for the same two nights. If you eschew history and the ability to fall out of bed and be in the ground ten minutes later in favour of picture-postcard sandy beaches Unawatuna is less then 15 minutes away by bus (19 rupees/approx 10p) or tuktuk (300 rupees/approx £1.50). I say you would be lucky to find a room at these locations because the budget rooms are pretty much all occupied. The England cricket team are in town and the independent-travelling cricket fans are out in force to support them.

We are continually told that test cricket is dying a slow but inevitable death. Try telling that to the 5000 or so England supporters out here in Sri Lanka. We travel to support our team (in greater numbers than almost any other country, in almost any sport) and have done so through thick, thin and the downright anorexic (Ashes 06/07, anyone?). If we want to watch Test cricket at home we must book and pay large amounts for tickets months in advance of the match. Many Test cricket fans have been priced out of the market, or will go to maybe one day of one Test each summer. We all know that the beauty of a Test match is the ebb and flow during periods of play, over the whole five days, but ticket prices, and other commitments, make it nigh on impossible to experience this at a home Test.

On tour you get to see the whole 5 days, even net practice in the run up to the match, you experience the conditions the team has to play in, you mix with the locals who are experiencing same – or rather contralateral – highs and lows during the progression of the match. All this and a holiday too. You can see the attraction. I can assure you it can be as addictive as class A drugs. If you are not careful it can be just as expensive.

Which is why independent travellers scrimp, save and budget obsessively to get their winter fix. Flight prices are monitored until a price dip – never mind which airline it is. I know one tourist who has become addicted to Aeroflot. Apparently they offer a choice of meals on their flights-chicken or fish-which taste the same and have a similar grey appearance. Accommodation is rarely prebooked – the cheapest places do not appear on the internet; just arrive in town and spend the next couple of hours going door-to-door around the guest houses until you find somewhere with the right balance of facilities and price. Meals are eaten at little local cafés and restaurants, information is swapped about where is serving the cheapest beer. The cricket is usually watched from the grass bank or hill, mixing with the locals – and paying he same price on the gate for the tickets. If you want a little more luxury – in the way of a seat, a bit of shade, a sealed room with aircon and TV replays or a seat behind the bowler's arm instead of somewhere approximating to cow corner – then you will quite rightly expect to pay more for this. And you would expect the home team supporter in the seat next to you to have done the same.

When the Sri Lankan cricket board put tickets for the England test matches on the internet for online booking, priced between 5000 and 10000 rupees there were a few murmurs amongst rookie tourists. Those who had toured Sri Lanka before advised all to wait until we got to Sri Lanka as most tickets would not be presold. Those on offer on the internet were obviously for what could be termed the 'prawn sandwich brigade'. There would be cheaper options available from the ground in the run up to the test and on the day. After all, tickets for the recent Test matches against Australia had been available for just 500 rupees.

Or so we thought. Then a representative of the Barmy Army spoke to a representative from the Southern Province Cricket Association a few days before the start the match. He was told the cheapest seats available to foreigners would sell for 5000 rupees, and that foreigners would be barred from entering the grass bank area and other cheaper enclosures. By the following day the story coming from the Sri Lankan board was that the 5000 rupee minimum price would apply to all tickets for both home and away supporters and for all areas of the ground.

Now for the independent traveller 5000 rupees is a budget-stretching price; for the average Sri Lankan it is probably a week's wages. Whilst at first England supporters were disgruntled at being treated like cash cows to bail out Sri Lankan cricket's financial mess, now the desire of the home board to squeeze the visiting supporters until pips squeaked was going to price the Galle supporters out of their home town Test. How this can help encourage people to turn out to watch Test cricket goodness only knows. It may well put off England supporters, with their innate sense of justice, from returning to Sri Lanka to watch cricket in the future.

Now there is just one saving grace from all this ticketing hoo-ha – the cricket ground is overlooked by Galle Fort, a United Nations world heritage site which just happens to provide some of the best views in the cricketing house. So far the United Nations hasn't cottoned on to the size and enthusiasm of the England cricket team's travelling support, so the seats (on the grass, in full sunlight, though cooled by a slight breeze off the Indian Ocean) are free to all comers. On the first day of the Galle test some 500 cricket fans (at a guess) watched proceedings from the fort. From such lofty heights (unprotected by any form of safety railings) we could see the ground filling up prior to the start of play, England flags (with the odd contribution from Wales, Scotland, the Isle of Man, Cornwall, Devon and a couple from Somerset) encircled he ground. Andrew Strauss would have thought he was at a home Test when he emerged for the toss, were it not for the high temperature and humidity. It seemed that there were plenty of England supporters willing and able to purchase the tickets.

I later found out there were plenty of supporters both home and away who had accessed the ground ticketless, through gates left unopened and unmanned. Later as play was about to start we watched the gate below us as ticket-wielding England supporters were turned away whilst ticketless Sri Lankans were ushered in to the grass bank enclosure. Reports filtered up of supporters who had purchased tickets at the higher prices (above the baseline 5000 rupees) being disappointed to say the least with their allocated seating. At ground level tempers were beginning to fray a little but up on the Fort we had the best view in the house, a nice lady was renting out sunshades to raise money for charity, an enterprising selection of locals were selling cold water, beer, fruit and less likely cricket viewing requirements such as wooden elephants and appliquéd tablecloths. Bill the trumpeter played a fanfare on an unfeasably long coach horn then switched to his trumpet to lead Jerusalem as the England team took to the field.

At that moment I felt that despite the efforts of cricket administrators to screw things up, there are enough people that care about Test cricket to ensure it will still be here for many years to come.

Thanks Baggy. On a bit of the TMS commentary I heard yesterday (day one), Boycott said he thought 90% of those in the ground were English, while his SL co-commentator Roshan said he thought it was more than that.

In respect of the 'death of Test cricket,' I would draw rather more comfort if the ground was heavily populated with Sri Lankan fans!

I don't think it is generally thought that there is a problem with the game in England.

AG to be fair there were quite a few more by close of play. If Sri Lankan Cricket wanted more home fans in the ground they shoul sell tickets that they can afford. And another point - they should't be starting a Test match on a Monday so people are working throughout the Test. The second Test next week starts on Tuesday, so only the final day will be over a eekend (althogh the smallish Christian population may be off work on Good friday too.)

I see the hand of television at work over the scheduling.

SRI LANKA v ENGLAND 1ST TEST, 26-30 MARCH 2012, GALLE

England's task on the morning of day 2 is to knock over the final two Sri Lankan wickets in as short a time as possible, with little energy expenditure and without conceding many runs.

As the song goes, two out of three ain't bad. Unfortunately although it takes just six and a half overs to bring Sri Lanka's innings to an end, with Anderson taking the two final wickets to record his first 5-for on Asian soil, Sri Lanka add 29 runs off these 39 balls. Mahele Jayawardene is last man out for (put on Sid Waddell accent) 180. So Sri Lanka are all out for 318 and now England have to show us just how good (or not) a total that is.

So England have been out in the field in temperatures already reaching the mid 30s for only about half an hour. They should still be fresh as a daisy and ready to prove that harsh lessons taken against Pakistan in the UAE have been learnt. So its not an auspicious start when England's candidate for Mr Reliable is given out lbw to Lakmal in the second over. He walks down the pitch towards Strauss who presumably told not to even think about wasting a review on that one as he about-turns and walks disconsolately off. One wicket down without a run on the board is not a good start.

Trott joins Strauss and England fans hope they can continue where they left off in the previous match in Colombo when both made unbeaten centuries. They certainly look comfortable enough and set off apace with some nicely timed boundaries. Despite maidens in the first two overs England have moved on to 31-1 at the end of the 8th over. Jayawardene decides the friendly introduction period is over and brings on the spinner. This is where England supporters get a sense of deja vu as it all starts to go horribly wrong.

It starts when Jonathan Trott makes an unlikely bid for comedy performance of the day. He comes down the pitch and swings across the line of a full toss from Herath. Prasanna does well to collect the ball and whip the bails off. So far looking a wee bit silly Trott, but he is still trying to regain his ground. Meanwhile Prasanna sets off in celebration without going through the 'mirror, signal, manoeuvre' procedure. The result is an inevitable collision. Trott remains down on the floor contemplating the loss of his no-claims bonus whilst the third umpire checks the call, but he is out.

Pietersen must have been thrilled to be taking his guard mid way through an over by a left arm spinner. He had three balls to face from the bowler so good they named him twice (Herath Mudiyanselage Rangana Keerthi Bandara Herath is a bit more of a mouthful than Neville Neville) and managed to survive with only one leading edge. So far so, er, lets not get ahead of ourselves here.

But it is Strauss who falls victim to Herath. He misses a sweep. Umpire Rauf gives him not out but the Sri Lankan's refer this. Strauss looks unhappy at the decision but his only complaint could be the time taken by Jayawardene to ask for the review. Pietersen is joined by Bell who despite the increasing strength of the pound exchange rate with the Sri Lankan rupee seems unable to even buy a run on this tour so far. Some, probably myself included, think he is a teensy bit lucky to be playing this Test. His doubters are given fuel to their arguments off the first ball he faces, but a confident-sounding lbw appeal is not reviewed as he had plainly got a little inside edge on the ball. He is off the mark in the next over and settles his nerves with a six over long on followed by four through midwicket in Herath's next over. Fortunately watching such shots doesn't fire up Pietersen and he bats out a maiden in the final over before lunch. England are 57-3 at the interval with Pietersen 3* and Bell 13*.

I retire to the cooling breeze in the restaurant of the Ramparts Hotel overlooking the Indian ocean. Lunchtime conversation (other than deciding my cheese-and-tomato toastie is poor value compared to the veritable feast that is a companions vegetable rice-and-curry) fixes mainly on whether Bell can walk all over the views of his critics with a big score. The cheese-and-tomato toastie/chips/salad combo is obviously a complicated culinary challenge and has barely arrived at my table when the afternoon session is underway. I keep myself and my companions updated following the scores online but things don't look any rosier on Cricinfo as Pietersen is bowled off an inside edge the first ball he faces after lunch and Prior fares no better falling lbw to Herath. It is plumb – everyone knows it – but Prior decides to review anyway, before realising the error of his ways and walking off before the third umpire had confirmed the decision.

Débutante Samit Patel was probably still finishing off everyone's lunchtime leftovers when he realised he had to go out to bat. Not good for the digestion. Samit's approach seems to be to dig in at one end and let the increasingly confident looking Bell do the run-scoring bit. It sort of works in the short term as they add 20, of which Samit contributes 2 off an almost equal number of balls faced as Bell, but he becomes another victim of Herath, like many before stuck back on the crease when he should probably have been forward. Six down and not even a hundred on the board. England's bowlers have had just 26 overs with their tired feet up and now its going to be up to them (not for the first time) to dig England's batters out of this sorry mess.

Stuart Broad's approach is the opposite to Samit's – go hard or go home. He isn't going to hang around waiting for the ball with his name on it and sets off at a canter. Jayawardene has so far resisted the urge to bowl spin from both ends, leaving Randiv twiddling his thumbs waiting for some action, but it is Lakmal who returns. This suits Broad who has a good eye along with not inconsiderable batting talent and he hits three fours and a six off the first over of Lakmal's spell, followed by a pair of fours off his second. Lakmal isn't given a third as Randiv is finally brought into the attack. Just a single off his first over; maybe it is this change in tempo but Broad attempts to sweep Herath in the next over and misses. The umpire upholds the appeal, Broad immediately refers but to no avail – he is out.

Swann obviously likes the look of the Broad approach to batting and continues in a similar vein. These two have at least helped Bell take England past the (nominal) follow on target of 119 – I can't imagine it would have been enforced. Bell has meanwhile been steadily accumulating at the other end and reaches a well-earned 50. But he is about to lose another partner as Swann chips Randiv to Dilshan at short midwicket. Bell's resistance is about to be broken by Herath. It does take a very good ball to do so though, turning past the outside edge and taking the off bail. Mr Bell, I am sorry I doubted you.

So with England's final pair of Anderson and Panesar at the crease England's hope of getting within spitting distance of Sri Lanka's total looks shot. However these two manage to put on a lively and entertaining 36 runs for the final wicket, dragging England to 193 all out, giving Sri Lanka a first innings lead of 125. Not good when England will have to bat last. Something special needed by the same bowlers who contributed 88 of those 193 runs.

(Sri Lanka's 2nd innings to follow later)

I certainly cannot say that I approve of prices being jacked up because England are in town.

However, it is easy to see why the Sri Lankan board would do such a thing.

Cloud cuckoo land, I know, but I think it is high time for a revenue sharing system amongst the international boards. There is a clear need for big picture thinking and if the ICC wants to safeguard tests then I think such is necessary.

A strong revenue sharing system would;

a) Help all Test countries to develop a first-class structure conducive to producing Test players.

b) Help to ensure that appropriate prices could be charged in poorer countries, thus tempting more home spectators through the gates in those countries.

c) Help to ward off corruption by reducing pay inequality between nations.

d) More pay for cricketers from the impoverished nations may also help to reduce the temptation for players to go to the IPL.

Of course, it would be devilishly hard to persuade the likes of the BCCI and probably even the ECB of the merits of such a scheme but I just wish that, at some point, they'd consider that cricket in all countries may be better off if there were greater strength in depth in Test cricket and less incentive for the evils of corruption or circus of the IPL.

Very many thanks for those (as always) informative and very entertaining reports, Baggers.

Sitting in the comfort of my armchair, I have some sympathy for the Sri Lanka cricket authorities. As we know, they have big financial problems; and this tour is a rare opportunity to put some money in the coffers. (And I have sympathy too for local hoteliers and the like: parts of Galle, and much of nearby places such as Unawanatuna, were destroyed in the tsunami.) I don't know whether the equivalent of £25 is the most appropriate price for a day at the Test; but it seems to me to be pretty good value for a day's entertainment. I am sure that the communication and administration could have been improved.

In developing countries, it is often the case that overseas visitors are charged more than locals to enter museums, national parks and the like. That seems to me to be fair enough: anyone who can afford to fly is far more wealthy than the average local person. Perhaps the Sri Lanka Board should have followed their initial plan and charged local supporters less than visitors – though what the two prices ought to have been, I am not in a position to judge.

Poor economics by the Galle administrators I'm afraid.

They have a wonderful opportunity for some revenue building Price Discrimination but they seem to have made two mistakes. I too like Wickham have little problem with poorer cricketing nations making money off the touring fans BUT if you are going to price discriminate;

A) you have to ensure there is no alternative for the group you wish to charge higher prices to - access to the fort makes this a daft policy.

you either have to restrict information as to what similar consumers paid in the last event OR charge a price that does not make the consumers believe this is simply profiteering (especially with English suporters) - another mistake.

In Columbo this policy would work (I doubt there are spectating points like the fort there) but there has to be some sense on pricing different groups of supporters. I understand that the English followers are numerous but they aren't stupid and they will be conscious of what the Aussies, Kiwis, Saffers etc were charged on their tours. They also have long memories

Price too high and your revenue could fall, discriminate abrbitrarily on perception of willingness to pay and you can also come a cropper.

Tourists expect to pay more and would be willing to in most cases if the money is helping promote cricket but the long standing followers have just come from a Test series with very low prices for tickets (if any price).

One also wonders if these prices will remain when we get to the more locally popular one day and T20 games.

Back to the cricket: AWFUL, AWFUL decision to give Cook out on review. No sign even of a change in the rotation of the seam, leave alone the "deviation" the third umpire "thought he saw"! What happened to needing irrefutable proof that the on-field Umpire has made a mistake?

And not very good judgement from Andrew Strauss just now.

Nick Knight was saying that England seem to have only two gears when they bat - first...and fifth... He said they batted in first gear against Pakistan and appear to have decided to switch straight into fifth for this series.

I see no great devil in this pitch and zero hurry due to the match situation. It's surely a situation that calls for patient accumulation?

Seems they went on the noise FE.... not ever the greatest 'irrefutable' proof one has to say.

According to the commentators the third umpire told them he went on visible deviation.

At the same time, I tend to agree with Atherton that Cook reacted as though he knew he had nicked it... In which case my view is he should have taken himself off thus obviating any need for DRS.

Well the commentators both said they saw no deviation and therefore the only thing to go on was the audio as the bat was well away from the body and didn't hit the ground.

Shame they can't agree on an obvious conclusion from the same information - tends to suggest "irrefutable proof" was lacking. Maybe the third umpire saw a version they didn't show on SKY?

Perhaps. Botham said he saw deviation with the naked eye at the time. He says that he called it out from the back of the box when he was sat there with Atherton.

Given the somewhat testy relationship between that pair, I took Atherton's failure to dispute this claim as confirming the veracity of Botham's statement i.e. That he did make that claim.

Personally, I saw nothing with the naked eye. I think there is possible deviation on the replay but I could not be certain.

I too was under the impression that the third Umpire was heard by the Sky boys saying to the on-field pair words to the effect of " I think I saw a deflection".
Not good enough, IMHO, and I am far from convinced Cook touched it, or acted guiltily.

Personally I'd not try and predict the decisions of commentators based on their personal relationships having seen them interact personably with each other in the flesh on three seperate occasions over the winter.

On the basis of what I heard I think the decision was correct because there was a noise and I can't see what it came from if not a slight nick but there wasn't enough evidence to give it on the basis of deviation IMHO.

Anyway isn't 'hotspot' supposed to be the official basis for the batsman hitting it if there is doubt and that isn't here so 'doubt' has to go to the batsman doesn't it?

No hotspot or snicko in this series.
I concede there was a very slight noise, but without snicko, I couldn't be convinced it wasn't bat on either pad or ground.

With all this debate, maybe they should rely on the umpire and take his decision as final. Just a thought

That's right Nailsea, as FE says, the system is supposed to help support the umpires' decision not provide another opinion to contradict it.

If the system does not 100% prove he is wrong then he is right!!

On the balance of probablities, I think Cook was out.

But (consistently with FE's point), surely the third umpire ought to apply the test of beyond reasonable doubt - and I don't think it was beyond reasonable doubt that Cook was out.

So far as I can tell, there have yet to be any complaints from the England camp a propos this decision. If it stays that way, that might be telling - especially if England lose the match!

Wickham, you may not like this but Willis said exactly the same thing on TV.

Quite a few people thought it was probably out (can't say I agreed about Cooke's reaction) BUT nothing that the Third Umpire had access to conclusively proved that beyond doubt and on that basis the decision of the umpire should have been upheld.

He also said (I agreed with him twice in the same day) that funding the kit to standardise the DRS process has to become the responsibility of the ICC rather than a cost on the broadcasters of the series. The same kit must be used at each match to standardise the procedure

Hear! Hear!

So England are back in the field less than two sessions after finishing off Sri Lanka in the first. They have conceded a lead of 125 runs; the significance of this is brought home with the fact that the highest successful 4th innings run chase here at Galle is just 96 runs. Something very special is required from the bowlers – who have already done their best to ensure England's position isn't even worse than it is – if this match isn't going to be beyond reach by close of play on day 2. It is a good start as Broad bowls Dilshan in the second over. Full, straight and swinging back in, it hits pad first and if it hadn't gone on to hit the woodwork surely he'd have been plumb lbw.

Strauss turns to spin in just the 6th over; It is Swann, who had clearly the worst figures in the first innings and who has looked out of sorts all tour, who he chooses to bring on. On closer inspection this is not unsurprising; in Thirimanne and Sangakkara Strauss is offering up his erstwhile match-winning spinner two lefties for his delectation. And boy does Swann thank him in spades, his second ball is flighted then a bit of dip and turn, it beats the bat and hits off stump. Oh Swanny, how we have missed your wickets-in-the-first-over-of-a-spell!

It is as if he has just remembered the pin number for his wicket-taking balls as Swann goes on to get Mahele Jayawardene edging to slip in his next over, then the other left-hander Sangakkara with a sharpish catch taken by Bell at cover. He finishes his late afternoon's work by tempting Samaraweera down the pitch allowing Prior to stump him by a country mile. Swann has found his mojo and by close of play Sri Lanka have been reduced to 94-5. Most of their big names are back in the pavilion. But the lead is 209. Do they have enough already?


SRI LANKA v ENGLAND 1ST TEST 26-30 MARCH 2012 GALLE
Day 3

England probably need to get these Sri Lankan wickets for about another 50-70 runs added if they are to feel even remotely confident of winning this first Test. It feels like the hottest day of the Test so far up on the Fort and we turn to ice cream from the start of play. Swann has a good appeal for lbw turned down off the first ball of the day to Randiv. The nightwatchman is lucky again a few overs later as a difficult chance goes past slip off the edge and Prior's pads. Sri Lanka go past 100 and my theory that a nightwatchman gives a team an end to bowl at the next morning doesn't appear to be bearing fruit. In fact it takes almost an hour to break this partnership and it is Chandimal who goes first, mistiming a lofted drive off Panesar to Pietersen at mid off.

Prasanna joins the nightwatchman he sent in the previous evening but he doesn't get long to thank him as Randiv is next to go, the umpire agreeing with Swann he is lbw. Randiv immediately asks for the appeal, he has hit it but replays show it was clearly pad first then bat. There would only have been slight contact with the stumps, but that's umpire's call and he's out. Swann has a 5-for, which soon becomes a 6-for when Herath takes an almighty swing and misses. Bowled. Sri Lanka 8 down and the England openers were probably mentally preparing for a tricky little spell of batting before lunch. But it is not to be, Prasanna and Welegedera take Sri Lanka to lunch 276 runs ahead.

England thought they had the innings wrapped up soon after lunch as first Strauss takes an excellent diving catch off Panesar to remove Welegedera then Prasanna is caught and bowled by Broad. But England celebrations are cut short as the umpire calls for a review himself, which shows Broad has clearly overstepped. At this stage Sri Lanka's lead was 289. By the time England break this 47-run final wicket pairing the lead has gone on to 339. It takes a run out to complete the innings.

So England need 340 to win. The stats don't paint a rosy picture – the highest successful run chase at Galle is just 96. The highest 4th innings recorded 253, which also happens to be the highest total England have posted at this ground. England's highest successful run chase on Asian soil is 209 (admittedly for 1) in Bangladesh. And to win this match they must post the highest total of their winter do far.

It doesn't start too well as Cook is given out caught behind on review. Wit no hotspot for this series the 3rd umpire is relying on detecting slight deviation as ball passes bat. Having said that, how Hotspot could tell the difference between the heat of ball feathering bat from the general ambient temperature is beyond me. No need for Hotspot for the second wicket as Strauss falls victim to a pretty stunning catch by Dilshan.

But there ends the success for the day for Sri Lanka. Trott (40*) and Pietersen (29*) steer England safely through the final hour of the day. At close of play England are 111-2, needing a further 229 runs for an unlikely victory.

England fans will all be standing on one leg for the first ball of day 4. Just hope they do so away from the edge of the Fort!

Looks like England may well do this.

Be interesting to see if SL may finally ask Randiv to bowl with a newish ball. He looks most likely to benefit from extra hardness and bounce. I don't think I'd bother with the seamers, personally.

I was about to post that one wicket would make Sri Lanka firm favourites - and that wicket has just fallen.

Well, personally, looking at the current situation, I would now say that I expect England to win. The batting order is long enough. The opposing attack is not exactly full of guys you would expect to blow a lower-order away, either.

Of course, if Trott falls within the next 20-30 runs or so, then the picture would indeed change.

Patel really is an odious cricketer

Quote:

AGod
Well, personally, looking at the current situation, I would now say that I expect England to win. The batting order is long enough. The opposing attack is not exactly full of guys you would expect to blow a lower-order away, either.
Of course, if Trott falls within the next 20-30 runs or so, then the picture would indeed change.

Whoops, sorry Trott. I think I hexed him. That's unless the score I was looking at was already out of date and he was already out? I assumed that the wicket that Wickham was talking about was that of Prior.

Naxxar.. what has Patel just done?

AG: I was talking about Prior's wicket. My view is that the fielding side is a strong favourite to win when 100 or so runs need to be scored by the last five wickets on a pitch like this.

A sorry collapse with Patel and Swann gifting their wickets.

Patel should be kicked out the team.

Naxxar- What has Patel done to offend you? I didn't see anything. The commentators don't appear to have picked up on any bad behaviour. If you make a statement like that you need to at least tell us what crime he is supposed to have comitted.

I just don't like him. After his dismissal at Taunton last season, he swore loudly in front of children and had to be reported to the Notts Chief Exec. I also don't like how he berates his team-mates or how he was excluded from playing for England a few years ago because he was slothful and overweight. He has wasted his talent. And today the shot he played to get out, which prompted the fall of wickets that lost England the match, was not worthy of a test match player.

Well, I didn't think that Strauss's second innings shot was particularly worth of a Test match opener in the context of this particular game.

I didn't see this pitch as being unplayable or anything of the kind. Not a pitch, I thought, where a ball was going to come along with your name on it at any moment. Yes, the overall scores in the game were not very good but, as in Dubai/Abu Dhabi, I think that was more a function of the bowlers doing a better job than the batsmen in this game. Apart from Broad failing to bowl properly at the tail after the no-ball "dismissal," of P Jayawardene, I thought England bowled commendably, as they have pretty much all winter.

I think Trott showed exactly what can be done... and how to play on that pitch. If you stay in long enough, you will win the game by means of attrition, IMO, on this kind of pitch.

Unfortunately, it could be argued that England do not possess enough batsmen with that type of mentality, IMO.

Trott obviously is one. And one could say that Cook was unfortunate (although for me that still depends on whether he hit and if he knew he had hit it.)

The rest of the England batsmen? Not so much.

Although one could argue that attrition is (or should be) Strauss's natural game which is why a sashay down the pitch followed by a yahoo at the ball was particularly underwhelming.

As so often, I think George Dobell is right;

[www.espncricinfo.com]

"The England batsmen lack both competence and confidence."

A good win for Sri Lanka, their second in 18 Tests since Murali retired.

Whatever happens in Colombo, I think we can say that some of the hype around this England team was just that.

Yes, they ascended to the number one ranking and since that is all relative at a certain point in time, I think they deserved to be rated no.1 at that time. But some of the more delusional writers/commentators were starting to talk of this England side as though they were some sort of major force, in historical terms.

This winter has made it abundantly clear that they are not. Truly great teams never, ever, lose four Test matches in a row. It just doesn't happen.

England remain a good side and, in the field, a spirited one. But that batting is over-hyped and over-rated.

Quote:

Naxxar
I just don't like him. After his dismissal at Taunton last season, he swore loudly in front of children and had to be reported to the Notts Chief Exec. I also don't like how he berates his team-mates or how he was excluded from playing for England a few years ago because he was slothful and overweight. He has wasted his talent. And today the shot he played to get out, which prompted the fall of wickets that lost England the match, was not worthy of a test match player.

Surely the real point about Patel is that there is a far far better batter and left arm spinner based in Durham available to England who will not be picked because HE IS NOT AS FIT as Patel??? Because of the England Management's obsession with super fitness England now have a team who can run from the middle to the dressing quicker than any other team in the world!!

Interesting words from a commentator this morning!! Agnew said it is definitely HARDER to get dropped from the England set-up than it is to get in!! Those have been my words for some years - certainly since Central Contracts!

IF we didn't have Central Contracts now, the cry would be - bring in Central Contracts. But for most of the team they should be playing REGULARLY for their counties so that they can remember how to play proper cricket. That way they will face plenty of the world's top class batters and bowlers, who don't seem to mind playing in the County Championship!

If anybody is told they're not as fit as Patel, that must be the ultimate insult!

I saw that incident last Naxxar.he also rattled the door with his bat if I remember correctly.

It wasn't as if he was out for a low score...he had made a hundred in a game going no-where.

Entirely right, Old Boy - ESPECIALLY in respect of the batsmen.

I've been railing against this near closed-shop for the batsmen (with any change only ever made under sufferance) for some time. I just think it breeds complacency - a bunch of mates in a cocoon together.

Morgan DID manage to get himself dropped for this series but I read that he was the first England batsmen to be dropped for THREE years at that time.

That last batsman before that to be dropped was Ian Bell and, in his case, by his own admission it did him a lot of good to be dropped and go back to Warks.

Admittedly, when England last played England A, the Lions' batsmen got rolled over for a very poor score, but then I think that was a one-day game?

I think there either should be more England vs England A first class games or that the England players should be told to play County games. If neither of those things happen then there is no mechanism for the England selectors to compare the form and ability of those within the team with that of those without.... which in turn just further promotes the nearly closed shop.

Quote:

Ronniesabre
I saw that incident last Naxxar.he also rattled the door with his bat if I remember correctly.
It wasn't as if he was out for a low score...he had made a hundred in a game going no-where.

That's what I thought, Ronnie, when Naxxar recounted that story. I saw the first half of his ton in that game, and would have thought he'd be happy enough with that. I guess he must have had a potential tour place in mind and wanted to get 200+, albeit in a game going nowhere.

Quote:

Ronniesabre
I saw that incident last Naxxar.he also rattled the door with his bat if I remember correctly.
It wasn't as if he was out for a low score...he had made a hundred in a game going no-where.

Yes! Odious man

England Batsmen cant play spin in the sub continent(or Dubai)they cant play it very well when the spin is negligble,yet these players will do well in England this summer and be selected for India next winter and the wheel goes round. So Mr Gooch,Flower and Mr Geoff Miller whats to do?

I do not believe that these batsmen will succeed at home against South Africa this summer. Remember the last time they played a home series against a strong bowling attack (Pakistan) they failed overall (only Trott of the specialist batsmen posted a good average) and the bowlers (and Pakistan's own batting foibles) bailed them out.

However, they probably will all fill their boots in the earlier series vs Windies, ensuring that all will be there to play against Steyn, Philander and Morkel.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:03:29:14:03:17 by AGod.

As long as we have batsmen in the side who believe they have all the answers, and cheerleaders like Swann and Broad and others who say that there isn't a problem and England will win easily!!!! and, presumably selectors who 'buy in' to that sort of tripe what hope is there that performances against sub-continent spinners will ever be successful??
At some stage, WILL someone cotton on - What are we playing these fancy coaches huge amounts of dosh for?? Presumably so that they can have a nice Holiday???

Things might be better in India next winter, depending partly on whether India bother to make a rather more concerted effort than they appeared to make in the series in either England or Australia.

I agree with the comments about Swan and Broad. They don't seem to care losing even when they are taking 5 or 6 for in an innings. I guess "sticking up for your team mates" whilst "getting well paid " even when losing, seems clear, Fact is those above them Strauss.. well he's part of the team set up but Flower, Gooch and Chairman Miller are the ones to take the bull by the horns.

Perhaps Swann and Broad (and the rest of the bowlers) are sick of having to carry the batsmen around with them?

Just a thought.

Let's be clear here. Apologists for the batsmen can bang on all they want about unfamiliar conditions. But weren't they unfamiliar for the England bowlers too?

I bet if you had told Andy Flower, before this match, that we'd bowl Sri Lanka out - all 20 wickets - for 532 runs in the match, he'd have taken that. That's a good batting line-up that Sri Lanka has.

If, however, you'd offered him England not even totalling 500 in the match against an attack that no longer has Murali, Vaas, Malinga etc, what does one suppose he would have said?

I'd be interested to know how any of us can know what the players in the England side "think" or "believe" - or are we trusting those in the media who think or believe they know themselves?

I believe we have few options for the changes for the 2nd Test (maybe Bresnan for Patel?), and would expect the same top six to be selected - at least in part because no one of them is the obvious candidate to lose out (arguments can be made for Strauss, Bell and KP; I'dsay Cook, Trott and Prior are totally safe).

Anyway, even when they get back to the UK, there really are no obvious candidates on which we'd all agree to take any of their places. Who's our back-up opener? Next best 3 or 4? First cab off the rank for 5/6? There a few names in the frames (Carberry, Root, Taylor, Hildreth and so on) - but frankly nobody is banging hard on the door.

I remember last season when Matt Prior on a challenging pitch at Hove scored big and decisive runs against Briggs and Tahir in the Championship prior to a Test match, and Prior talking of the benefits he had gleaned from playing and the innings. THAT is what is necessary. I think England's players have forgotten how to contruct an innings and play properly...getting runs only if they flog tripe dished up by the Indians in England or the then feeble Aussies in places like Adelaide.

The time has come for a rethink in the minds of the England hierarchy. To prioritise the Championship. To have England players playing far more for their counties. If anything the Morgan report is even more worthy of ditching given England's fortunes.

I have posted before that I welcomed the Irishman Morgan being dropped lest the perception be that the team is a closed shop. How much longer can England persist with the South African born Pietersen and the South African born Strauss? The leader can't be carried for much longer.

We need to make playing in England from the off the pre-requisite for playing for England. If you want to go to the Indian circus you can. But your England career ought to be finished.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:03:29:22:16:18 by Hants01.

Hants - I SO wish you'd get away from your fixation with where players were born - it is quite tasteless, I believe. KP is qualified to play for England and has done so with distinction for most of the past 7 (?) yrs. I agree he could do with some Test runs and his place may be in jeopardy, but his place of birth is irrelevant to that.

Also, the only reason Andrew Strauss born in SA was because his ENGLISH father (and english mum) were working in SA for a british company at the time. I think Strauss senior had worked his way up in England and then was offered a more senior role on the SA side of things. I don't think he ever was a South African national. I think they left SA when Andrew Strauss was 6, then a spell in Australia, then back HOME (because HOME always was the UK for the Strauss family) when he was 10. Therefore Andrew Strauss has NEVER come into the catagory of a south african who chose to play for England.

I don't care where Strauss was born.

But even a visitor from Mars could divine that two centuries since July 2009 is an underwhelming return.

I agree with Hants01 that, on the whole, this batting group have become flat-track bullies. It seems that whenever the opposing attack is a bit tasty or conditions a bit tricky we can almost always rely on the fact that most of the specialist batsmen will fail.

This wasn't exactly an unplayable terror track and that first innings score was completely unjustifiable.

SP may be right that nobody is banging down the door... But then who is to say that this group would be giving County performances that would scream 'pick me,' if they were playing in the CC?

I'm sure the group will fill their boots against what will probably be an unchallenging Windies attack... Didn't Bopara take three tons off them last time around?

If I were the ECB, I would decline to award new central contracts to Morgan, Strauss or KP on the basis that Test performances over a period of time have not been good enough.

That doesn't mean that they would automatically not be picked but it does mean that the cosy re-assurance of guaranteed money without performance would be withdrawn.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:03:30:06:28:55 by AGod.

I did informally ask you to steer away from postings about the birthplace, nationality of international players earlier Hants.

You are entitled to your opinion but we've proved on many occasions that it is not an opinion that has any support on Grockles. Please refrain from including it in Grockles postings in future. Thanks

Quote:

Grockle
I did informally ask you to steer away from postings about the birthplace, nationality of international players earlier Hants.
You are entitled to your opinion but we've proved on many occasions that it is not an opinion that has any support on Grockles. Please refrain from including it in Grockles postings in future. Thanks

"You are entitled to your opinion" is surely the crucial point. If it doesnt break any rules, telling someone to refrain from referring to the fact in a posting because it's "not an opinion that has any support" on a website smacks of suppressing views. But hey I guess "It's my website and I can do what I want"



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:04:03:07:23:54 by averageside.

To be honest it, in itself, is not an opinion.

People may infer an opinion from it e.g. They don't deserve to be in the team, or they don't try as hard as folks born in England would, or whatever the posters true thoughts are.

But I'm not sure his actual opinion has been stated?

I'm sure the England selectors will be mightily relieved that the cracks in the batting have been papered over in this game (at least thus far.)

This means they will be able to sweep the winter's debacle under the carpet and proceed under the assumption that there is nothing wrong with the England batting. Closed shop can remain closed.

This delusion will sustain them through the Windies series until it (the batting) all goes horribly wrong again against South Africa (assuming, of course, that the key bowling figures for SA are fit to participate.)

Of course, they will/can also fall back on the 'if there is a problem it is just in Asia line.'

However, most of the specialist batsmen also struggled in the home series with Pakistan which was the last time we played a home series against a strong bowling attack.

How has Thilan Samaraweera made test history this week?

scored the two millionth test run.

Quote:

averageside
"You are entitled to your opinion" is surely the crucial point. If it doesnt break any rules, telling someone to refrain from referring to the fact in a posting because it's "not an opinion that has any support" on a website smacks of suppressing views. But hey I guess "It's my website and I can do what I want"

Please indicate where I have told Hants he can't state his opinion. Please indicate where I have imposed a ban on him for such opinion. Please indicate the posts that I have removed where he has stated this opinion. Where is the 'suppression' you speak of?

I've asked him to refrain because his opinion isn't held here in any discussion that has come up about this in the past and he will face people who vehemently disagree with his point of view. You are also free to state whatever opinion you want to within the rules of the site but please don't get upset if people disagree with it should you choose to.

Or you can choose, if you don't like the stance taken on 'my' site, not to post here - it is entirely your choice.





Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2012:04:04:14:48:21 by Grockle.

Quote:

AGod
I'm sure the England selectors will be mightily relieved that the cracks in the batting have been papered over in this game (at least thus far.)
This means they will be able to sweep the winter's debacle under the carpet and proceed under the assumption that there is nothing wrong with the England batting. Closed shop can remain closed.

Not much crack-papering so far, AGod, given that only three men have batted so far, of whom only one had anything to prove. I do, however, share your cynicism about what will happen next.

LoL

Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter

Quote:

Loyal of Lhasa.

Quote:

AGod
I'm sure the England selectors will be mightily relieved that the cracks in the batting have been papered over in this game (at least thus far.)
This means they will be able to sweep the winter's debacle under the carpet and proceed under the assumption that there is nothing wrong with the England batting. Closed shop can remain closed.

Not much crack-papering so far, AGod, given that only three men have batted so far, of whom only one had anything to prove. I do, however, share your cynicism about what will happen next.

I'm just pleased that we are doing OK!

It beats not doing okay, obviously.

But it may not be in England's long term interests if the powers-that-be are content to infer that the previous four games were some form of fluke.

For example, Strauss made 61 and there are lots of headlines about 'pressure off,' and such like.... And, yet, the longer term context remains, I believe two Strauss tons in his last 49 Test innings. That's obviously a minimum of 25 Tests and it's probably 27 or 28 Tests.

Quote:

AGod
It beats not doing okay, obviously.
But it may not be in England's long term interests if the powers-that-be are content to infer that the previous four games were some form of fluke.

For example, Strauss made 61 and there are lots of headlines about 'pressure off,' and such like.... And, yet, the longer term context remains, I believe two Strauss tons in his last 49 Test innings. That's obviously a minimum of 25 Tests and it's probably 27 or 28 Tests.

Why can't we just leave it at OK??
Why try to invent psychic powers??
If any non-central contract players get off to a flier, and are consistently successful I don't believe Flower will ignore them!

So those seeking to get into the team must be 'consistently successful,' but it does not much matter about the consistency or success of the incumbents?

I suspect the England selectors would tell you that Bell, Strauss, KP and Morgan all 'just had a bad winter.'

However I believe that such a claim would be justified only in the case of Bell... Don't get me wrong they have all had bad winters but only in the case of Bell does said winter really represent a major departure from form over the past few series.

Strauss and KP have been below par for some considerable time. Morgan is simply not a proven Test match batsman.

Surely there is little point in replacing an inconsistent central contract player with an inconsistent non-central contract player!. However if you argued that central contracts are a waste of money, you will find me "batting beside you!".

I see little point in central contracts for batsmen.

I also see little value in awarding as many central contracts as they do.

I would confine central contracts to those of whom it could truly be said that they are indispensible to the side.

As it is, the current arrangement is pretty much 'if you are in the XI you will also automatically get a central contract,' along with your place.

I'm not sure I understand how or why Asad Rauf has assessed that the batting team is wasting time for essaying switch hits, as opposed to the bowling side wasting time by refusing to bowl to a batsman that has altered his stance?

I suppose he had to do something, clearly.

I've not seen that situation before. Perhaps there needs to be some mechanism for sanctioning both sides (or offending batsman and bowler) in that situation?

Quote:

AGod
I'm not sure I understand how or why Asad Rauf has assessed that the batting team is wasting time for essaying switch hits, as opposed to the bowling side wasting time by refusing to bowl to a batsman that has altered his stance?
I suppose he had to do something, clearly.

I've not seen that situation before. Perhaps there needs to be some mechanism for sanctioning both sides (or offending batsman and bowler) in that situation?

This situation I find fascinating. When KP first started his switch hitting on a regular basis (before then batters would do it once in a blue moon, and generally get out!) I argued several years ago on this site, about the ramifications.
The batsman should be free to switch from left to right or vice-versa to presumably gain an advantage over the bowler. BUT the QUID PRO QUO should be that if attempting that shot he could be out LBW either side of the wicket vis: he lost the protection of the ball picking OUTSIDE his leg stump whether batting left or right handed!

I agree.

But the problem here was that Dilshan said 'if you are going to do that, then I'm taking my ball home rather than bowling to you.'

It seems the issue is NOT the playing of the shot but WHEN the players does it. If Dilshan is still running up then he can pull up if the batsman chages position. If he is in his bowling stride then the batsman can do what he likes.

Whatever we post about KP at times when he gets into this mode he is flaming brilliant!!!

Quote:

Grockle
It seems the issue is NOT the playing of the shot but WHEN the players does it. If Dilshan is still running up then he can pull up if the batsman chages position. If he is in his bowling stride then the batsman can do what he likes.
Whatever we post about KP at times when he gets into this mode he is flaming brilliant!!!

I agree KP was brilliant. Nevertheless, attempting my solution would IMO cover all avenues. THE BOWLER KNOWS THAT IF the batsman misses and the ball would have hit the stumps, he is OUT, regardless of where it pitches.

I agree - and in one day cricket I think the usual harsh 'leg side,' wide should also be abandoned in the case of switch-hits.

No argument from the SKY boys on that one. If you choose to be a left hander you should be out in the ways a left hander can be out. Would make for a DRS nightmare though!!

Correct decision in the Dilshan dismissal but the ICC HAVE to pay to have all the DRS kit at ALL the grounds for ALL the Tests. Inconsistency will happen if they don't.





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:04:06:08:52:47 by Grockle.

Swann and Anderson bowling pure diamonds in Columbo!!

If England go on to win this one, Bresnan will have been on the winning side in every one of the eleven Tests he has played. I am not sure he is actually worth his place, but he must be the biggest mascot in the world.

LoL

Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter

He may not have been worth his place in this one - tho I fear he may have to bat yet - but he has been in other games and strikes me as a very useful player indeed, esp at home.

Anderson and Swann top class, Finn very good - will be interesting to see what happens when Broad and Tremlett fit again - we really have a very good squad of seamers.

My thoughts exactly, SP.

I believe England had to win this match to keep their number one position.

Congratulations to England.

I had no time to watch it this morning.

Bresnan has the best 'all-rounders,' averages in history, I believe for somebody with a minimum of 10 Tests - averaging about 45 and about 23 with bat and ball respectively .

I wonder if the surfeit of strong bowlers that we have compared to limited number of strong batsmen has had anything to do with the largely anodyne surfaces that were produced in the CC in the 'heavy roller,' era?

I think one generally had to be pretty sanguine good to take many wickets on quite a few of those tracks.

I like Bresnan too, though think we might have won the Test earlier had Panesar played instead of him.

His averages are now 40 and 24, which are still very good.

LoL

Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter

The Bresnan effect is very welcome!! He strikes me as an effective down-to-earth Yorkshireman - unlike some from those shores!

A fine win for England with the batters able to work out the Sri Lankan spinners which they singularly failed to do with Pakistan.

And still No 1 for now - even if only by a decimal point. Someone on Sky made the very valid comment that, at the moment, there are 5 teams who have a real opportunity to beat the opposition and therefore within touching distance of No 1 spot - unlike the days when West Indies or Autralia ruled the roost.

I think 5 is probably over-egging it. We wait to see how well Pakistan can cope away from home and India already provided an answer - a bad one - to that question when it was asked of them.

Of course, people in glass houses and all that, as we got thumped in Pak ourselves.

I suspect SA are the best overall side.

But it is certainly the case that no one side looks dominant.