England Sri Lanka Squad Announced

johnnylad · Tennis legend

England Sri Lanka Squad Announced

Sheddie · administrator

The 11 playing should be announced shortly.

I'd pick: Trescothick, Strauss, Cook, Bell, Pietersen, Flintoff, Jones, Hoggard, Plunkett, Mahmood, Panesar.

I wouldn't pick Paul Collingwood for 2 reasons. [1] He's at his best on slow pitches in the subcontinent where his Graham Thorpe style of play is very effective. However, whenever he's been selected to play tests in England he's not performed. [2] Cook and Bell are both going to be the future of English cricket and are two of our most exciting talents. They both deserve to be given a place in the side to build up vital experience.

I wouldn't select Jon Lewis either because England have to be looking to build towards this winter's Ashes and Plunkett and Mahmood could play key roles if our top choice players get injured - they need the experience of playing tests. Jon Lewis is the sort of English seamer who will get carted all around the MCG by the likes of Adam Gilchrist et al.

I'm pleased the selectors have gone for Panesar as the spinner as there were some rumours earlier in April about Udal being picked instead

-- Edited by UltimateSlabbaFan at 10:26, 2006-05-11

Sheddie · administrator

The 11 has been announced:

England: Andrew Flintoff (Captain), Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Strauss, Alistair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Geraint Jones, Monty Panesar, Liam Plunkett, Matthew Hoggard, Sajid Mahmood.

johnnylad · Tennis legend

Its great to see Freddie retained as captain.

The test match has started. Go ENgland!

Sheddie · administrator

England have won the toss and decided to bat.

They've got off to a great start so far, I'm listening to TMS in between Physics sessions.

England are at 43-0. Strauss has creamed the pace bowlers down the ground and through the covers several times. He and Trescothick are in good touch.
Vaas has been fairly innocuous but Maharoof has beaten the bat several times.

Now 48-0

Cook is at no 3

Sheddie · administrator

Another glorious shot from Strauss to take England to 52-0. He's on 30 and pased 2,000 runs this morning.

Strauss and Tres got a bit lucky in the last over, Strauss mis-timed a pull but it went safe and Tres played and missed.

Only a matter of time before Murali comes on.

Sheddie · administrator

England were cruising on 86-0 but Murali has struck. Strauss prodded at the delivery and edged it to slip. Now 86-1 - Strauss goes for 48.

Tres has 30, Cook is now in.

1 more over before lunch.

A great opening stand though.

The Turbanator · Junior player

Excellent first Test preview here:
http://cricket.five.tv/matchcoverage/first_test_preview.htm

1st session report:
http://cricket.five.tv/matchcoverage/englandinfineform.htm

The Turbanator · Junior player

England now 101-1 - Cook has started confidently and Tres has an interesting duel going with Murali.

Feature articles:

Derek Pringle: http://cricket.five.tv/features/derekpringleflintofffiresupengland.htm

Geoff Boycott:
http://cricket.five.tv/features/geoffboycottenglandmustkickthisashesobsession.htm

Alaistar Cook:
http://cricket.five.tv/features/alastaircookbeinghandedno3jobisacompliment.htm

Simon Briggs:
http://cricket.five.tv/features/simonbriggssrilankacampsplitoverjayasuriyacall.htm

johnnylad · Tennis legend

Trescothick reaches 100!

England are 206 for 1 just after Tea!

johnnylad · Tennis legend

At stumps on Day 2, England made 551 for 6 declared. KP hit 158!

Sri Lanka are 91/6 with debutnt Saj Mahmood taking 3 quick wickets and Hoggy one away from reaching 200 test wickets.

What a performance so far!

JonnyM · Junior player

Am surprised at the lack of interest on this site in this Test match. England are thrashing the Lankans. What a fine performance it was yesterday in the batting and bowling departments for England though it must be said, the Lankan batting was desperately feeble, the mix-up which saw Dilshan run-out was apparently comical.

Pitch seems to have flattened out considerably today and Plunkett and Mahmood haven't really fired. Hoggard has been consistently threatening as has Freddie but they haven't had any luck.

Sri lanka were dismissed for 192 this morning and so they need 357 just to make England bat again. They're currently going well on 152-2 - unfortunately for them once either Sangakarra or Jaywardene get dismissed, there isn't much left in their line-up. They only really bat down to 6 while England bat right down to number 10, the only real rabbit with the bat in the England side is Panesar.

JonnyM · Junior player

Oh and I must congratulate my fellow Yorkshireman, Hoggy for getting 200 test wickets. Go Hogs !!!

JonnyM · Junior player

Sangakkara has now gone, Panesar takes his 2nd wicket.

Out of interest, once Gilo returns from injury who do you think should be picked as the England spinner ?

Gilo gives more depth to the batting and is a dependable and consistent performer aswell as an Ashes hero. However, Panesar actually spins the ball.

Sheddie · administrator

Sri Lanka now at 217-3, they're batting a lot more sensibly in this innings aided by the fact that the England seamers haven't been as effective. Hoggard has been very unlucky, he's bowling some great deliveries and is beating the batsmen so many times.

Jaywardene has completed his 2nd half-century and night-watchman Maharoof is providing support.

They've got a half-chance of getting to 357 and making England bat again as they've got a couple of decent batsmen to come. The key for them will be that Jaywardene stays in. England need to bowl them out today in case rain comes tomorrow.

Panesar has been really impressive in this Test, yesterday afternoon and evening he was really effective and posing some big problems. The ball which got rid of Sangakkara was a beauty. If he can have this much impact on a pitch which isn't offering him much help, it bodes very well for the future.